Page 47 of One Perfect Day in Lovely Bay
Doreen clucked her tongue. ‘Logan said he didn't want anyone there. It was cleaner day for the cottages today and so I told them not to go in.’
Cally shook her head. ‘I gathered that. It’s very unlike him to be messy. In fact, he’s usually the other way.’
‘Grief does strange things.’
Cally nodded, her heart heavy. 'I suppose it does. I'm worried about him.'
Doreen sighed and put down the recycling containers. 'It's not easy losing someone so suddenly. Especially someone like Alastair. He was always here, there, and everywhere.'
Cally thought about her mum and her grandma. ‘I know. I’ve been through it a couple of times but not like this and as suddenly. I think a lot of it is the shock.’
‘Who would have thought? You just don’t know what’s coming your way, do you?’
'No. Logan’s trying to put on a brave face. He and Alastair were close...’
Doreen nodded. 'They were more like brothers than cousins, I sometimes thought.'
‘From what I saw, I guess so.’
'Thick as thieves when they were little. Always getting into some mischief or other. When they were about eight or nine, they decided they were going to run away and join the circus.'
Doreen chuckled. 'They packed their little rucksacks with sweets and comics, and snuck out in the middle of the night. We found them asleep in the old treehouse by the lake covered in bites.'
‘Aww, sweet.’
Doreen tutted. ‘It’s hard to get your head around it.’
'I wish there was more I could do to help.'
‘You're doing plenty, love. Just being there for him, that's what he needs right now. I mean, what else can you do?'
'Not a lot. How are the funeral preparations coming along? You’ve taken on a lot of that from what Anne said.'
Doreen pressed her lips together. 'As well as can be expected, under the circumstances. They were talking about it being in London, did you hear that? I didn’t think that was a good idea, but it’s not up to me.’
‘Yes. I thought the same.’
‘I’m glad they settled on the church in Lovely for the service. It seemed more fitting in my humble opinion given the family's history with the place.'
'Agree.’
‘The reception in the marquee near the summer house surrounded by the beautiful poppy fields will be nice. If “nice” is a word that can be used in this situation.’
Cally nodded and raised her chin in the direction of the summer house. 'It's a beautiful spot.’
‘Who wouldn’t love those poppy fields, especially when they are in full bloom like this?'
‘True. The funeral is going to be a lot of work.’
Doreen sighed and rubbed her forehead. 'Yes, there are loads coming which is why the marquee is also a good idea in my opinion. The family alone is extensive, as you know, and then there are all of Alastair's friends and colleagues. We're looking at a lot of people turning up, if you ask me.'
‘I reckon so. Do you need any help?’ Cally offered.
‘I might need some help here and there and at the church. Everything here is mostly covered with the staff. I was going to mention it, actually. I just know you’ll get your head down and get on with it. I can’t be doing with any, well, you know what I mean.’
'Of course. Just let me know when and where.'
'I'll let you know the details. I’ll message you.’ Doreen lowered her voice. ‘I just thought I can rely on you. You know? I phoned Birdie earlier. She's going to rally the troops.’
