Living the High Life

Chapter 35

I don't like funerals that much but I was there to support Charlotte and get her through it in one piece without her braking down. I had left Lilly with Michael and Ash for the night back in Exeter I knew she would be okay and I knew the boys would find something creative to do with her. I wasn't worried to much.

"Charlotte you ready?" I said knocking on her hotel room door

"Yeah I think so." She said

"Good come on then babe." I said. Charlotte's mother had asked her to read something out at the funeral I knew it would kill Charlotte inside but she was staying strong, I had driven down to Kent instead of Charlotte so that she could write this speech. She had spent the whole journey over night writing and reading it to me and Jodie. Jodie had come as well for support. At one point I had to pull over because I had tears running down my face and I couldn't see to drive.

"I hope she's okay." Jodie said

"I'm sure she'll be okay and we'll be there for her." I said

"Yeah." Jodie said

"Come on lets get this over with." Charlotte said opening the door.

"Yeah." I said

The 3 of us headed down stairs. Charlotte's parents and brother were waiting for us.

"Hey Rhianne. Hey Jodie." Charlotte mum said

"Hey." I said smiling

"Come on then."

The ceremony was lovely. Me, Jodie and Charlotte were sat together in the line with Charlotte in the middle. Charlotte's started reading her speech and couldn't get through it. I was sat watching and in the end her mum gave me a nudge to go up.

I stood next to Charlotte and put my arm around her. I knew she couldn't carry on reading so I did.

"Nan was an amazing woman. She would do anything for anyone. She had a way of making you smile no matter what was going on. If she was here now she would shout at us all for being sad and say just get on with life don't worry about me. I'm going to miss her so much and not a day will go past when I won't think about her and how much fun we had. She was an amazing cook and just a wonderful person. Not having her around is going to be hard. But I know that no matter what she will be looking down on me today and smiling. i'm going to miss you nan." I finished folded up the bit of paper and me and charlotte walked back to our seats.

When it was all over we went to the town hall and had some food. I think Charlotte was glad that I had to get back for Lilly because I could see that she really didn't want to be there and just wanted to be a home watching Tv. So when I said "Charlotte sorry hun I need to get home." She got up straight away said goodbye to everyone and walked out without me having time to think

"Think its time to go." I said looking at Jodie and smiling

"I think your right." she said

We headed for home.

When we got home, Michael and Ash were both fast asleep on the sofa with Lilly lying on Ash's chest. it was so cute.

I picked Lilly up and put her in her bed. Charlotte had woken Michael up. I laid Ash down on the sofa and put a blanket over him then Charlotte, Jodie and Michael left.

Leaving for France come round so quickly I really didn't want to go but I had already missed so much of the tour that I really did need to go.

"Charlotte why don't you come with me." I said the day before leaving

"Go on babe. Give you chance to get back on track and get back to how you were. You've been so down lately." Michael said

She looked at him then looked at me

"Yeah okay I'll come." She said

"Good." I said

Wednesday 20th September. France

Next day at half 9 in the morning we were on the way to Bristol airport. Our flight wasn't until 11 so we had plenty of time to get to the airport. We enjoyed the drive singing and having a laugh, Lilly thought it was great.

We got to the airport with an hour to spare so we went and got something to eat for the plane ride over. At half 10 we check in and said goodbye to Michael.

"Please keep an eye on her." He whispered in my ear.

"I will don't worry." I said

"Thanks Rhi i know this means a lot to her." He said

"Its okay." I said

"See you the 15th of October." I said letting go of him

"Yeah." He said

He handed me a note that had 'Read when Alone' on the front. I winked at him.

"Ready Charlotte." I said putting the note in my pocket

"Yeah. Lets go." She said smiling she was holding Lilly for me

We landed in Paris and the boys were there waiting for us they had been in France for 2 days already.

"Babe." Connor said throwing his arms around me

"Hello." I said kissing him and smiling

"Good to have you back." He said

"I picked someone up on the way." I said smiling charlotte was stood behind me

"Charlotte!" The boys shouted. Running straight at her

"Hey boys." Charlotte said she was smiling, it was the first time I had seen her smiled since the UK tour.

"Good to have you back." James said

Charlotte and all the boys had meant to come out to Oz but because things had happened with their flights they hadn't come. Then Charlotte's nan passing away. Charlotte hadn't want to come. But she was here with us now and I was excited to have her around again. Sharing tour life with someone else was always better than doing it on your own. The boys were there but it wasn't the same. Having Charlotte or Jodie or Sid or anyone for that matter around just made things more fun and enjoyable.

It was show day so we all headed back to the arena to get ready for the show. Charlotte went off to have a shower and me and the boys stayed in the dressing room and got ready.

"How's she been?" James asked

"She's been better. Just be carefull what you say." I said

"Okay." the boys said then I remembered the note Michael had given me at the airport back in the UK. It was still in my pocket.