The High Life. The final stretch

Chapter 12

Over the next couple of days I got the kids ready for the start of school.

2 days before the kids were due to go back to school I got a rather distressed call from Edward.

"Hey bro what's up." I said I was in the kitchen making lunch for the kids

"Have you spoken to mum today?" He asked

"No why?" I asked

"Oh, I'm......not sure I should say anything then." Edward said

"Edward." I said

"Are you alone?" He asked

"No I'm making lunch." I said
"Can Con do it?" Edward said
"I guess......Con please come finish lunch." I shouted into the living room

"Coming." He said

He appeared and I went to sit on the stairs in the hallway.

"Okay.....What's going on?" I said sounding worried now.

"Mum got a call from grandad this morning tell her that......that grandma past away in her sleep last night."

I froze, his words trailed. Gone like that I knew she was ill. She'd been battling cancer for the last 3 years and it's only in recent months that my grandparent moved to a place that was all on one floor because she couldn't get up the stairs anymore.

I didn't say anything for a minute I didn't know what to say thankfully Edward spoke first.

"Rhi?" He said his voice shaking slightly as though he was about to break down into tears

"Yeah. I'm here sweet." I said
"The funeral is next Wednesday." Edward said

"Okay." I said

"Will you make it?" Edward asked

"Yes." I said without hesitation

"Okay." Edward said

I put the phone down and sat on the stairs for a second I could hear Connor shouting the kids for lunch. I couldn't face them right now so I went up to my room. I went to sit on my bed. Tears had started to run down my face. I didn't want to see anyone I wanted to get out to go for a run and the only person I wanted to go for a run with was James. James would understand why I didn't want anyone else there. Our friendship over the years had grown we were more like brother and sister now and for this I was grateful. I sent James a text telling him about the conversation I had just had with Edward and that I need to get out. a single word reply came back. *Okay*

About 10 minutes later I heard Connor come up I'm guessing to put Blake down for a nap. Then there was a knock at the door.

"Rhianne?" Connor said opening the door

"Yeah." I wiped my eyes trying to hide that I had been crying but Connor could tell

"Babe? What's happened?" He asked

"Grandma." I said it was all I needed to say for Connor to understand and he came to sit next to me and he put his arm around me.

"I'm......going for a run......with......."

"James." Connor finished

"Yeah." I said

"Okay." Connor said

Connor kissed the top of my head then went back down stairs to sort the rest of the kids out.

I was getting changed when I heard a knock at the door and James walking through the door and saying "Where is she?"