Skins: Endgame

Chapter 23

The day had come.

It was nightmarish for everyone, as they gathered at the church, waiting for the coffin to arrive.

They were all there. Effy. Katie. Naomi. Emily. Karen. JJ.

Even Cook was here, with one wrist handcuffed to a police officer. The other guests stretched to family and family friends.

Everybody was holding their emotions in, and doing it quite well, but when the hearse started driving up the road, the floodgates opened. Everyone started crying, except Effy and Cook.

Everyone moved into the church and took seats as the coffin got carried inside. Emotions were still high as the Vicar began to speak.

Effy was lost in her own thoughts as the various speeches went on. A combination of sadness and worry. Things hadn't been difficult after the phone call with arrangements and other things. If all went as she wanted it too, then Tony would get the shock of his life just after the funeral.

Because, she thought, we've all got to stay positive. If anything good comes out of all of this, it's got to be this.

It was Karen's turn to speak. She got up and went over to the podium. Struggling to speak at first, she finally got over the initial anxiety and sadness.

"Freddie was a one of a kind. You all know that, but growing up with him when we were young was something exclusive to us. Memories, I will forever cherish. When we were younger, he always used to take me away on brother and sister occasions..."

As she spoke, Cook reflected on his past with Freddie. He cast his mind back to himself, Freddie and JJ in the shed: the Three Musketeers. In those days they were completely innocent. Freddie and JJ by all accounts were still innocents-

It should have been me, Freds. It should have been me.

A tear slowly went down Cooks face as Karen concluded, her eyes also tearing up.

"But when he died, a part of me died. But he'll always live on. Our Freddie. Our best friend."

She broke down as soon as she left the podium. Emotions were getting high again as they all stood up at the Vicars request, to follow the coffin as it was taken outside.

Tony waited on the outskirts of the graveyard as the coffin and the large crowd approached the open grave. Effy insisted that he be there for afterwards, to look after her. Tony obviously complied: He would do anything for his sister.

Tony had witnessed a funeral like this once before and the situation was all too familiar.

Was it sheer coincidence that he found himself on the very same hill that he and his friends were standing on as they said their final goodbyes to Chris? Was it also a coincidence that Freddie was getting buried in a grave right next to where Chris lay in peace?

He watched as the grave was lowered into the ground. He noted that Effy was not crying...

As the vicar left, most of the others began to follow. But Effy and Katie remained by the graveside. Katie held onto her hand.

"Effy, Freddie had time to love everyone, but he had a special place in his heart for you. He loved you more than anyone else in the world..."

"I know," Replied Effy.

An awkward silence, which Katie broke.

"This is your chance to say goodbye. I'll just be over there yeah..."

Cook and the police officer were coming over as Katie was leaving. They hugged and briefly exchanged words before Katie gestured him towards Effy. Cook looked at the police officer for permission to go towards the grave, who led them both towards it.