Forever And Ever.

20

I sat on a bench outside the venue, smoking a cigarette and watching the sunset over the sea horizon. We were still in southend, it was our final night here.
It was so beautiful, I sat and thanked god, or whatever entity out there, that I was going to live to see moments of beauty like this for a while longer.
Maybe it was just because the beginning of Pink Floyd's Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5) was playing in my earphones, it had always made me feel sentimental as my father played it for me once when I was about ten and I remember being so blown away, innocent to the fact he was going to leave my mother a few weeks after and tear my family into a million peices. I wondered how the old sod was for a second, just a passing moment, I had a gut feeling something was wrong... I mean my father's a well known and respected businessman, everything he does is morally wrong, but it just seemed off for a second. I shook it off and focused on the music and the sea. My eyes started to close as I relaxed, not falling asleep but just meditating and becoming one with the song or some bullshit like that.

"JESSICA" noel shouts, ripping out my earphones. "Fucksake woman, I been tryna get your attention for ages". He sounded hurried, he was holding his mobile to his chest like someone was on the other end of the line. I could see in his eyes something was wrong.

"What is it?" I ask in a panic "I can see it in your eyes something's wrong".

"Yer mam's on the phone, I think she'd better tell you" he replies, sitting next to me and taking my hand. He places the phone in my other hand.

"Alright mammy? Whats occuring?" I ask, placing the silver nokia to my ear.

"Jessie" she breathes "its so good to hear yer voice". She sounded like she had been crying. I wondered for a second if noel had told her about the incident and the bleed on my brain.

"You too ma, whats wrong?" I ask again.

She sighs and takes a second like she's trying to find the right words.

"Its yer dad love" she replies.

"Which one?".

"Mark, yer real dad, he passed away yesterday morning from a heart attack" she replies.

"A heart attack?" I ask "mam thats awful". I was so shocked but not sad. Maybe it just hadnt hit me yet.

"I know baby, the funeral is tomorrow, thats why I'm calling" she replies "are yer gonna go?".

"Where is it?".

"London, I'm catching a train later today and stay with Alfie for a bit" she replies "you should come too. I know he was never there and you had your differences, but he did alot for you in the end and he never ever stopped loving you" she replies.

"But mammy, i'm in southend on tour with the boys, we cant just leave, they have a show tomorrow" I reply "Noel will get sued big time".

"Go without me" noel cuts in.

"I cant go without you" I reply "thats ridiculous".

"Get the next train into london and meet me at alfie's" my mother replies "you'll be ok, Jess, its only two nights".

"Alright mam, I'll let you know" I reply "I loves you I do".

"I love you too" she replies and hangs up.

We both look over to violet, who is standing at the door to the venue. "She cant go" she says to noel, chewing gum and leaning against the doorframe with her arms folded.

"Why not? Its a family emergency" he replies.

"What about the surprise, Noel" she asks.

"What surprise?" Noel and I both say at the same time.