In My Life

Chapter 12:

Five days later, Edward William Harris was laid to rest in the Allerton Cemetery, side by side with his wife, Evelyn. The sun shone gently over the somber gathering of friends and family. Each person is paying their respects to a man who has touched so many lives. As the earth was carefully placed over the casket, Olivia stood with John by her side, struggling with the finality of it all. The weight of her loss was noticeable, but the presence of her loved ones offered a small measure of solace in this heart-wrenching moment.

After the funeral and burial, a luncheon was held at Mimi's house, a warm and inviting space filled with memories. Olivia looked around as guests filled the room, many of whom she had never met. They smiled sadly and shared stories, clearly close friends of her parents, each one expressing their condolences and recounting fond memories of Edward and Evelyn. Olivia was conflicted with curiosity and sorry as she listened to their stories, trying to piece together her parents' lives beyond what she had known. Amid her grief, these connections served as a reminder of the love that surrounded her, even in this difficult time.

But Olivia felt detached from it all; she hadn't shed a single tear or exchanged a word with anyone, not even with John. Instead, she sat silently in a small wooden chair in Mimi's morning room, cradling a cup of tea in her hands. Her gaze drifted out the window, lost in thought as the world outside continued, oblivious to her inner turmoil. The chatter and laughter of the guests faded into a distant hum, and she found herself in a bubble of solitude, wrestling with her grief in the quiet space of her mind.

Her world had shattered unexpectedly, leaving Olivia battling with a surge of emotions. 'I don't have anybody left here, so what's the bloody point of staying?' she thought, frustration boiling within her. Anger coursed through her veins, directed not only at herself but also at the overwhelming sense of loss that crushed her.

Her mind raced back to the meeting with her father's lawyer, replaying the details like a haunting echo. He had left her everything - the house, the money, even the 1955 Ford Anglia that sat in the front of her home. It was a bittersweet inheritance that felt more like a burden than a blessing.

Then there was Larry Holmes, her new agent, who was so eager to jumpstart her career with photoshoots and collaborations immediately following the funeral. The whirlwind of change was rapid, and Olivia felt unprepared, unwilling to face the new reality that awaited her. Each day seemed to bring more decisions and responsibilities, and she longed to hide from it all, to pause and catch her breath during the chaos.

Olivia fought against the tears that threatened to escape, fearful of the prying eyes of those around her. She felt weighed down with sadness to cry; instead, she remained motionless in her chair, like a statue, as the weight of her father's loss enveloped her. Her gaze drifted to the other guests, familiar faces mingled with strangers, laughing and sharing stories as if life were carrying on without a care.

How could they smile and find joy when she was drowning in grief? A part of her longed for them to understand her pain, wishing they could feel it, too, so she wouldn't have to bear it alone. Yet another part of her was relieved that they couldn't. The idea of burdening others with her heartache felt unbearable; perhaps it was simpler to endure in silence, concealed behind a mask of calm, than to reveal the storm raging inside. In that moment, she felt both isolated and oddly protective of her pain, trapped in a bittersweet contradiction.

John, Paul, Pete, and Colin stepped into the morning room, their conversations fading as they noticed Olivia still sitting in the same chair where she had been for the past hour. The atmosphere shifted, a quiet concern settling over them as they took in her stillness. John exchanged glances with the others, sensing the heaviness that hung in the air.