Footprints in the Sand

16: The Storm

I lounged on the sofa on Nick, Rory sat on another texting Meredith. I was glad my brother was happy. We were all just watching some action film that the boys had agreed on and I didn’t mind. The landline burst into its usual chorus and I walked over to answer it, sitting on the stairs as I accepted it.

            “Hello?” I asked,

            “Florence?” Eliza’s voice asked. I smiled a little hearing her London accent,

            “Yeah, how are the kids?” I asked,

            “They’re okay, though I can imagine you’re getting a lot of stick for what’s going on.”

            “Just journalists camping outside my school, not yet found my house, but know my car, and kids at school have finally learnt I have one brother. I’m dreading what’ll be said when they find out about the others.”

            “It’ll be alright, Flo; Pru knows what she’s doing. As resentful as I was when I visited you, I’m glad I did, just in time for the kids to know their real family.”

            “Thanks, Eliza, it means a lot for you to say that.” I whispered.

            “If you need anything, just give me a call.” She reeled off her number, “I have to go, I’ll talk to you soon.”

            “Bye.” I murmured and the line went dead. I sighed and Nick walked over to me,

            “Was that Eliza?” He asked as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I nodded,

            “The kids are okay, hopefully not getting too harassed.” I smiled quietly. Nick nodded and kissed the top of my head gently. “Thank you.” I murmured.

            “For what?” He asked, smiling a little at me,

            “Sticking around through all this.”

            “Why wouldn’t I?”

            “Because you could pull so easy at uni.”

            “But they wouldn’t be you.”

            “Exactly. I’m a mess.” He hugged me tight. The phone rang and I answered it quickly as I saw Mum’s caller ID come up.

            “Ma, everything okay?” I asked.

            “It’s… it’s… Ave… he’s gone into cardiac arrest…” Mum sobbed, I could hear the tears falling like waterfalls down her cheeks.

            “Mum, Rory and I are coming.” I said, I put my phone to my shoulder and shouted at Rory,

            “Roranicus Martin Shadow, we’re going Bristol!” I heard the TV turn off and him fall over as he scurried towards the door.

            “What’s happened?”

            “Dad’s gone into cardiac arrest.”

            “Heart attack?” Nick asked,

            “Yeah.” I put my phone back to my ear. “We’ll be with you ASAP.”

            “Thank you.” Mum whispered through her sobs. She hung up and I dragged everyone to the car. I put the roof down and Nick jumped in the back. I got the rucksack containing clothes for both Rory and I for about a week that we’d both packed, and threw it in the boot. I flawed it to Nick’s, deposited him, put the roof back up and hit the M5 to Bristol. We got to the hospital, but it took over an hour, an hour of impatience, tapping the steering wheel, and general foul language about the other drivers. But we did get there, to see a teary Prudence Shadow standing in the doorway while she stood on the phone to Rory. We parked up, locked the car, and ran to Mum who stood in floods of tears. I hugged her tight.

            “What’s happened?” I whispered.

            “He’s… he’s… he’s gone.” She sobbed.

            “What do you mean, gone?” Rory asked, a little astounded.

            “He’s dead, Rory, gone, the life within his veins has left him.” Mum shouted at my brother. That was when realisation struck me; my own father would never see my 18th birthday, see me go to university, be able to give me away when I got married, see my kids grow up, let alone see what I made of myself in my father’s shadow. Tears ran down my cheeks like rivers, splashing onto my top, and Mum’s shoulder.

            “Who… who else… knows?” I asked through my silent sobbing.

            “I called Eliza, she’s on her way over with the kids. They need to say their goodbye to their father. She suggested moving to Devon to be closer to you two.” She burst out into tears once more. I hugged my mother tight.

            “Any media attention?” Rory asked,

            “None.” Mum managed to murmur. A doctor appeared in the doorway,

            “Rory and Florence?” He asked. I looked at him, it was Dr Trim. I nodded. “This way.” I took Mum’s hand and the three of us followed Dr Trim to the private room where my father was laid, cold, hard, on a bed. I ran over and touched his icy hand, sending a shiver down my spine. His eyes were closed, as if sleeping. But his stillness made shivers run down my spine. I saw his jet black hair still perfectly lain in curls against his even paler than normal skin. His face was still beautiful, but all the life had drained from it forever. I kissed his forehead and wept. I saw Rory standing in one corner crying silently. He barely knew Dad, all of us did, but he was still a father to five kids, and a role model to so many. He might have been an arrogant turd, but it was one that was loved by so many and so much, but none more than us Shadow’s.

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 A/N

SOOO, what do you think of Avery's sudden departure from us? This isn't the end of his story, but the end of his living story. Please be patient fot the next upload; I'm busy all weekend with friends!

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Meggieissi xxx