Page 143 of Sing it, Sam

A man in a dark grey suit appears beside me. He looks to be in his forties by the spattering of grey through his brown hair. “Jane, is it?” he asks, and raises his eyebrows expectantly.

“Yes,” I say.

He extends his arm and gives me a firm handshake. “I’m Stan Nolan, Sam’s manager. Sam told me a lot about you. You were a great source of inspiration. My deepest condolences for your loss.”

I grit my teeth and nod as the word ‘loss’ swirls around in my head. “Thank you,” I bite out.

“I know we barely know each other, but if you need anything, anything at all”—he hands me a black business card with raised white lettering on it—“please call.”

“That’s very kind of you. Thank you for coming. Sam would’ve appreciated it.” I slip the card in my black jacket pocket and excuse myself, knowing I’m seconds away from blubbering my eyes out.

Kathleen appears beside me.As if she knew. She rubs at my shoulders and mouths“breathe”. I do just that, until I feel a little calmer.

“It was a touching service,” she says with a soft smile.

“I think Sam would’ve like it.” I take in a stuttered breath.Time to change the subject. “Anyway, how are things at work? Everyone seems to be doing okay?”

“They’re fine. When I shared the news, they all wanted to come. For you and for Sam.”

My heart constricts. Such kind souls.

“I’m so grateful they did.” I look around to the group who are seated at a table near the back, some of them nursing small plates of food. “I miss them.” Tears stream down my face and snot starts to dribble from my nose.

“Here,” Kathleen says, and hands me a soft pack of tissues.

“Ta.” I blow my nose. “Sorry—every little thing is setting me off today. I’m sure I’ll snap out of it.”

“Don’t apologise. Today was never going to be easy.” Kathleen places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Don’t feel like you have to rush back to work, okay? My sister has things pretty well under control.”

“Thank you so much. Please tell her thanks. I’m sorry I don’t know when I’ll be ready to come back. My brain is mush.I’mmush. Does that even make sense?”

“Like I said, take the time. You need it, and besides, Judy is happy to cover you for the next month. There’s just one condition.” Kathleen sighs.

“What’s that?”

“That you continue to get paid while she works.”

Say that again?My brows draw together in disbelief. “B-but—”

“But nothing.”

“I can’t let her do that,” I say, and gasp. Who would do such a thing for a total stranger? Work for free?

“Well, I can.” Kathleen places her hand on my shoulder. “If you need more time, just ask and I’ll see what I can do, but for now, Judy is happy to help.”

Wow. “She’s an angel.”

“She hasn’t always been, but when it comes to this, I agree with you.”

I pull Kathleen into a hug and squeeze her tight. Her arms weave around my waist. I wish my mother was here right now to squish me like this, but thankfully, I have my surrogate mum.

“Time to make yourself a priority. Rest. Write, whatever you need to do.”

Hold on.How does she know I’m writing?“I didn’t tell you I was a writer.”

“No, you didn’t,” she says, and smiles. “Sam did when I called to check in on him after the festival. And he was so proud of you. He said you were writing about the two of you. That’s one story I can’t wait to read.”

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