A Match Made In Heaven?

Chapter 42

I stand up from the sofa as I start to panic internally. "Claire? Talk to me..... What's wrong?"

Claire's shaky, trembling voice rings in my ear. "I..... It's...."

"Is it Paul? Has he hurt you again?"

My heart is pumping so fast right now I feel like it's going to explode against my rib cage.

Clay stands up after hearing Paul's name and he comes over beside me as he looks at me with a concerned expression.

"Claire.... Please you're starting to scare me."

"It's not about Paul..... It's..... Dad."

My heart sinks to my stomach..... I don't like the sound of this already. "What about dad? What happened?"

Clay's hand slides around my waist sensing my anguish.

I feel like collapsing to the floor as Claire's words echo in my ear. "He's...... Dead."

"What?..... How?" I ask, completely shocked.

I feel all my emotions starting to bubble up the the surface but I do my best to keep them under control.

"Oh Lucy..... He had a heartattack earlier this morning. He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance but he died shortly afterwards."

"I..... I don't understand..... I mean, he was well and healthy when I saw him last?"

There's a long sigh on the other end of the phone line. "Lucy, that's not entirely true. He has been on medication for nearly two years after he had a mini heartattack two years ago."

My mouth drops open in surprise. "What? He had a heartattack before and no one told me?"

"Lucy you didn't exactly stay in touch with any of us after you left, plus at the time dad didn't want to be worrying you so he told us not to say anything."

My heart aches in my chest as I digest Claire's words.

(I can't believe I didn't know about this? I would have been there for him.)

Claire's voice on the other end of the line pulls me from my thoughts. "Lucy? Are you okay?"

"When is the funeral?"

"It's in a couple of days. You will come, won't you?"

"Jesus Christ Claire, of course I'll be there. He was my father too you know?!" I snap at Claire as my emotions take over my body.

"Of course..... I'm sorry Lucy."

"No.... I am, I shouldn't have snapped. How is mom holding up?"

"She's not. She's a total wreck. She won't even discuss the funeral arrangements, she's still in denial."

"Well that's understandable. It's a huge shock for her I'm sure."

"Yes, for us all. Well I better go, I have to make a start on organising things. Let me know when you are coming here, okay?"

"Yes. I'll try to be there as soon as possible." I say, my voice still a little shaky.

I pull the phone down from my ear and end the call. Clay's hands grip my waist as he pulls me around to face him. "Lucy?"

I look up at Clay as my eyes start to fill with tears. "My dad..... He's dead."

I bury my head in Clay's chest as the tears start to free themselves. Clay's hold on me tightens as he tries to comfort me. "Oh Lucy, I'm so sorry to hear that."