CHAPTER 53

It has been twenty four hours since I found out my dad has passed.

I sit on my bed, just playing memories and events of the good old times. 'Hey, I got you some food,' Lily says as she walks into my room and puts a plate of toast down, along with orange juice and coffee all on a tray.

I reach out and grab the coffee and say 'thanks.'

'You're welcome,' she responds. As she turns around to leave I say 'Lily don't leave.'

'I just figured you wanted to be alone.'

'I already am,' I mumble and she sits down next to me, taking the coffee off of me and putting it down on the tray.

'Firstly never say that again because that is not true.' She grabs the orange juice and puts it into my hands 'and secondly, you need to drink this instead of coffee.'

'So why did you even get me the coffee in the first place?'

'I thought you would drink the orange juice first but obviously not,' she replies shrugging her shoulders and we fall into a comfortable silence. 'I was just about to call Lucy,' Lily says breaking the silence.

 'Why were you going to do that?'

'Because you two are pretty close and I don't want you to be alone right now,' she replies and I smile gratefully.

'I'm not alone Lily, I have you,' I reply, putting a smile on her face. 

It takes me a while to figure out that Lily is only saying that because I barely spoke to her yesterday and dragged Lucy out with me. 'This is about yesterday isn't it?'

'It’s in general and everyone knows you and Lucy are really close,' she replies sadly.

 'I thought we were close?' I question, raising my eyebrows and waiting for her to response.

 'We are but you and Lucy are closer,' she clarifies.

 'That's not true, Lucy just happens to be there when I need her most of the time.'

'Okay,' she replies faking a smile, not wanting to argue with me.

'Seriously Lily, it’s not true and you're probably thinking "so why drag Lucy out yesterday?" And to answer that, I did it because I needed to talk to Elaine about Kaiden and your mum said I had to take someone with me. I dragged Lucy out because she knew of the situation from day one.'

'Kiera, you didn’t have to explain,' Lily states and I say 'I did.'

'Why did you need to talk to Elaine?' Lily questions as she puts her arm around my shoulder.

 'Yesterday when I said I'd go to Liz's house, I broke into Phillip's house instead.' I say calmly, sitting up to face her to watch her facial expression.

 'What?'

'I really don’t want to repeat that,' I reply and she sighs but nods her head. 'I saw photos of Kaiden and found out he's married and has a daughter and they live near you.'

'Seriously?' She asks surprised and I nod, confirming her suspicions.

 'Phillip and his wife ended up returning so I climbed out of the window and cut my elbow.'

'Kiera,' Lily says quietly.

 'I know, I shouldn’t have broken in. Anyway, I spoke to Elaine about why she hid it and she promises to tell him the truth.' She wraps her arm around me, hugging me tightly and I return the embrace.

 'Kiera you know I'm here for you don’t you?'

'Yeah, I know.'

'Good,’ she replies smiling and with all the feelings I'm feeling I can't bear myself to return it. 

A knock in the door breaks us apart and Aunt Rachel steps inside. Lily stands up to leave, greeting Aunt Rachel as she does so. I stare at Aunt Rachel in shock, not being able to believe that she really is here. She sits down beside me and pulls me in for a hug.

Instantly, all my emotions become pouring out as I soak her shirt with my tears. We pull apart and I wipe my tears and she says 'are you okay?'

'Do I look okay?' I snap irritated. She sighs and comforts me with her touch. 

After I calm down, she states 'Kiera, you need to decide on the funeral arrangements.'

'Why do I have to do it?' I ask quietly.

 'Kiera, you know as well as I do why you have to do it. And besides, your father would have wanted you to have arranges his funeral.'

'I can't,' I mumble as I put my hands over my face.

 'Yes, you can and you will. Kiera, I'm going to be right there beside you,' she replies and I smile thankful for her presence.

 'How long are you staying?' I ask curiously.

'I'm not sure, definitely till after the funeral.'

'Okay,' I reply putting an end to the conversation.

 'Kimberly is downstairs,' she informs me and I gasp

 'Really?'

'Yeah, go and see,' she replies. I walk out of the room and hear Kimberly and Lily talking. I walk inside and rush to Kimberly's side as she gives me a hug, which I return.

 'Hey,' she says as I sit down next to her.

 'What are you doing here?'

'I heard you were going through a rough time so here I am,' she replies confidently. I manage to smile because she came here even though she was on holiday abroad. 'Look what I knitted for you for your eighteenth birthday,' she says giving me bright pink glittery slipper boots.

 'Do I look like I'm eight?' I sarcastically ask.

 'Oh so you don’t want them?'

'No, its fine.' I snatch then out of her hands and she grins.

 'Have you made any arrangements yet?' She curiously ask and I shake my head. 'You do know it’s best to start as soon as possible don't you?'

'Yes, Kimberly I know,' I sigh loudly as I can't forget about it. She wraps her arm around my shoulder before moving to sit next to Lily and they both look at the laptop screen.

 'Look at that one,' Kimberly says pointing to something enthusiastically and Lily says 'No,' as she scrolls down. I roll my eyes at them both trying to ignore them.

'You're lucky you have people like us to help you with the funeral arrangements Kiera,' Kimberly says and I scoff.

'Come over here,' Lily says patting the seat next to Kimberly and I have no choice but to join them.

 'Why are you looking at that?' I panic as the website for Cathedral Church, in other words the church where my mother was buried comes up.

 'Because you need to start looking as soon as possible and I know you want the funeral to take place here.'

'Whatever Lily,' I mumble.

 'No it’s not whatever, you're going to the call the priest and you're going to arrange a day for the funeral,' Kimberly replies. I sigh annoyed and Lily laces our fingers together.

 'Kiera I know you think it’s too early to be doing this but the earlier you do this, the better.'

'Fine, I'll call him,' I reply getting my phone out ad saving the number on my phone. I exit the room and walk to the garden where it's quiet and dial the number. 

'Hello?'

'Hi, is this Father Liam McCarthy?' I ask, my voice shaking a little bit.

'Yes it is, how may I help you?'

'Well, I'm not sure if you remember me but you were the priest for Debbie Hayden's funeral a year ago.' I try not to sound too hopeful because he might not even remember.

'Yes, I remember. I presume this is her daughter Kiera?'

'You remembered my name?' I ask shocked, unintentionally going off topic.

'Yes, I did. How can I help you Kiera?'

'My dad died yesterday and I wanted you to be the priest for it at the same church if you're not busy.'

'Of course I'll do it and I'm very sorry for your loss.'

'Isn't everyone?' I rhetorically ask, not being able to help myself. 

'When do you want the funeral to take place?'

'It depends on the day you're free.'

'That isn't relevant. I will do it any day you want me to.'

'Well to be honest, I have no idea when I want the funeral to take place,' I admit feeling guilty.

'Okay, when do you think you'll be ready?' He asks curiously and I think hard before answering the question.

'Maybe a week or something.'

'Okay seen as its Tuesday, how about we make the funeral on Monday. Would that be okay?' He asks and I take a deep breath before answering.

'Yeah, that will be fine, can we make it at 12?'

'Okay, that will be fine. Would you like to meet me with me tomorrow afternoon at the church or even Thursday to discuss the funeral?'

'Okay I don't know when I'll come though,' I reply being honest with him and I hear him chuckle. 

'Whenever you want is fine with me.'

'Okay, thanks.'

'You're welcome Kiera. Take care of yourself.'

'I will,' I say before hanging up.

'Are you okay?' I turn around to face Will and sigh loudly as he walks towards me.

 'I think so,' I reply.

 ‘You're far from okay Kiera.'

'Well if you knew that why did you ask?' I defensively ask.

 'I wanted to see what you'd say,' he admits causing me to roll my eyes.

 'Come here.' He opens his arms widely and I try to fight the urge and ignore it but my body walks to him, accepting the hug. And for the second time, I break down.