"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 11 - "Bereavement..."

Chapter 11- "Bereavement..."

Clara's PoV

'Avia your not going to school today' I said as I appeared in the kitchen to find her pouring out 3 dishes of porridge oats.

She had become a proper girl now and had grown up enough that she was looking after everyone. She had become accustom to making the porridge in the morning for the little ones and helping everyone else get ready.

I rummaged my way through the cupboard and found a loaf of bread, dropping two slices into the toaster before turning round to see poppy with porridge down her school dress.

'Poppy? You've got to be kidding me right?' I scoffed.

'It was Henry's fault. He threw it at me' she cried, as John came into the kitchen and rolled his eyes.

'Poppy go and put another school dress on. Henry go and sit in the lounge' he said too impatient to be dealing with the stupidness of all this today. But they wouldn't know. Especially Poppy and Henry... it's just another day to them.

'Are you off?' I asked.

'Yeah. Lilly will be here in a bit' he said having just hung up the phone with her. 'See you later Avia' he said as she waved to John when he left.

'Why am I not going to school today Mummy? Ive got my uniform on?'

'Your coming with me to my meeting because it's a special day' I hummed.

'Is it because Lissy died today last year?' She asked innocently but I knew that she knew. She's 10 - not stupid.

'Yeah. Did you want to come?'

'Hmm. Yeah, I don't like algebra that much anyway' she shrugged going to change out of her school uniform. 'So sounds good to me'

- - -

'Do you want me to come? Henry and Poppy and Ollie are all at school until 12. I can come and support you if you want?' Lilly suggested as I shrugged into my coat and wrapped my scarf around my neck, as Avia appeared in practically the same thing.

It was hilarious how much like me she was. Her dress sense was practically the same as well. With her little dress and jacket on, with her adorable little boots.

That's where half of the arguments lied. Evie was so much like Richard. She wasn't like any of us. She liked to do her own thing. Her fashion taste was up - to - date like Richard and she liked to have all the best brands like him. Which John couldn't keep up with. It's not that we couldn't afford it - it's just that we couldn't keep up with every time something goes out of fashion.

I knew however that Richard wouldn't be able to keep up with Evie's expensive taste so she'd be back soon enough.

'Thanks lil. I really appreciate the offer - but there's only one person I wanted to come with me today and he's at work. It's fine though' I hummed.

'You shouldn't be on your own?'

'I'm not. I'm taking Avia. That's all that matters. It might help her out a little too' I said grabbing my car keys and kissing Poppy's head.

- - -

'Hi Lou' I smiled as Avia let go of my hand and wandered off towards the food table with the pound I had given her.

She was excited to be here - especially when there was other girls around her age that came to the sessions that had lost a brother or a sister. Sometimes it's not the same but it has really helped to open up Avia's eyes in someways and what crap some family's have to go through.

It had made Avia really grow up a lot and made her realise that there is always someone that is worse of than you.

'Hey Clara. How are you? Today especially?' She hummed.

'I'm all good I promise' I said unreassuringly. I didn't know what else to say. I didn't want to talk about it. It was what it was. It had been a year since she had gone. And that's that. 'I am in all seriousness doing a lot better than I thought I would be. Honest'

'Well if you want to have a chat about it..: you know where I am' she hummed touching my shoulder and then wandering away to talk to someone else.

The good thing about everyone in the room was that they were Mums. Even if they didn't have their child in physical form - they are still a Mum. So we all have that in common.

I poured myself a cup of tea from the silver kettle that was present on the tea and coffee table then handed one of the little boys who was crawling around a biscuit.

It was quite funny as he took the biscuit and started nibbling on it making such a mess.

'Mummy. I thought Daddy said that he wasn't coming?' Avia said as she pulled on my dress and looked at me confusedly - but I was just as confused.

'He isn't'

'But he's talking to Lou?' She asked as she still had not one but a whole handful of biscuits and wandered away to sit on a chair again.

'John?' I scoffed, arms folded as he looked up at me with a guilty look and shock that I had caught him.

- - -

'Why didn't you just tell me you were coming?' I scoffed, as I had sat myself in his lap not bothered at all what he or anyone else thinks.

'I didn't think you were going to come to the earlier one' he mumbled guiltily. 'You normally go to the afternoon one?'

'Normally. But not this time. We decided it was easier. So why are you here? I thought this club was too depressing for you?' I said with a raised eyebrow.

'It is...'

'Wait? Is this not the first time you've come?' I hummed, dropping my head to rest on his chest actually quite insulted that he had decided to lie to me and come to these sessions anyway as people were all gathering around the circle to chat.

I quickly picked myself up off of him and went to sit three seats down. Avia of course was next to him in an instant.