Page 187 of Straight to Me

After a brief moment of just being still, a light knock comes from the front door. “You ready?” he asks me. I look at the vase of red roses sat on the coffee table sent from mum.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He straightens out the necklace against my chest before holding my coat open for me. I tie up the belt around my waist, taking in a big breath to steady myself. VP takes my hand, opening the front door.

We step outside and see Travis freshly trimmed and looking dapper in his full leathers. Everyone out here looks incredible. All waiting for VP to lead them to the cemetery for Rocco’s funeral.

There’s a car for me to be driven in at the back of the escort. VP walks me over, then holds open the door to the black Land Rover for me to climb in. I watch him move to the front of the procession and mount his bike, clipping his helmet shut under his chin.

Nodding to Travis, he looks back to me before he leads a sixty-man-strong entourage away from his home.

After the funeral, Rippers MC members from all over the length and breadth of the country descend on the clubhouse. Local roads were shut to enable the rolling mass of bikers through.

The sadness of Rocco’s passing is now turning into a celebration of his life, and long running presidency of the Rippers MC, Lancashire Charter. VP and I manged to speak to a few members I’ve never met before, all individually giving us their condolences.

But it’s Ronnie, who’s travelled all the way from Australia, whose conversation is the most poignant of all.

“I just wish I’d got a chance to say goodbye to Jack properly,” I say, as he hugs me close.

“We all do,” Ronnie replies.

VP’s grip on my hand is tight. We talk about Jack for a while and I can see it’s troubling him. His temples twitch and his face looks pained. Ronnie takes a sip of his beer, equally noticing VP’s discomfort.

“And you son, you ready for what lies ahead? It’s a big fucking set of boots for you to step into lad.”

VP smiles at his uncle’s words. “I'm ready.”

“I’ve got no doubts that you'll fill 'em, both of you will.” Ronnie’s eyes then meet mine. “You’ve got to hand him the shovel when the shit gets too deep, Mads,” he smiles leaning forwards, “and when the bodies pile too high.”

He winks, making VP laugh at my horrified face.

“He’s joking, babe.” I try hard to smile sincerely, but I don’t doubt there’s a hidden truth to what he’s saying.

“I’ll leave you two to catch up properly.” I lean into VP, placing a kiss on his cheek. I feel tired and I'm in need of some peace.

“Everything alright?” VP asks.

“Just tired, I need half an hour away from it all.” Nodding, he smiles, wanting to come with me. “You stay, honestly. I’ll only be upstairs,” I tell him, and he kisses my forehead before I turn to leave.

“Oh, before you go, Mads,” Ronnie pulls an envelope from the inside of his leather cut, “in case I miss you, Rocco wanted you to have this.”

I step back to him a little confused. As I take the envelope in my hand, VP’s eyes narrow, the corners of his mouth turning down.

“What is it?” I ask, looking between the two men.

“I don’t know,” VP says, his eyes looking to Ronnie.

“When you two came to Australia, Rocco called me the night you arrived. I was on my own, trying to take in what he was telling me.” He looks to me. “He couldn’t believe you’d come to him, Mads. That you’d somehow found Dean, found his club. He couldn’t work out why he’d been given a second chance with you.” I can feel the hot tears swelling, my mouth turning dry as Ronnie speaks. “But he was scared. He said he tried to stop you, that he tried to push you away, for fear that he might lose you again. He said, it made him realise he might not ever get the chance to lay everything out with you. That if anything was to happen to him, be it soon or in years to come, he wanted you to have this.” His eyes drop to the envelope. “It was in his safe. He sent me a spare key shortly after, should I ever need it.”

My mind buzzes in anticipation. I run my finger over my name which is handwritten on the front.

“Thank you.” I hold the letter tight between my fingers. Placing a kiss on Ronnie’s cheek, I smile goodbye, lowering my head as I turn to leave.

After shaking Ronnie’s hand, VP takes my hand in his as he walks up beside me. Together, we leave the mass multitude of bikers downstairs and head towards the large room they occupy for church. It’s quieter up here, we’ve less chance of being interrupted as I consider opening the letter.

VP closes the big doors behind him, taking my hand in his again once they’re shut. He leads me to the head of the table and sits in the chair once reserved for Rocco. He pulls me to his lap, sliding his warm hands around my back. “It suits you,” I say, nodding to the chair.

He smiles and I wrap my arms around his neck as I lean into him.

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