Time moves on.

He breathed in deeply and turned to see Mairi standing with a tissue pressed to her eyes and her shoulders gently shaking in silent sorrow.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘It’s just the thought of everything carrying on, but Mary not being here.’

Cal put his arm around her shoulder. If he said a word, he knew he too would weep.

Eventually, once he knew he could steady his voice, he suggested to Mairi that she go home. ‘There’s nothing to do now but wait for the undertaker.’

She shook her head and said, ‘I’d feel better waiting until she’d gone.’

While they waited, Cal learned more about the woman who had become such a companion to his aunt.

‘I don’t remember you here when I used to come.’

‘No, I’m not from the district. I came here when I married. Mary was one of the first people I got to know. I still remember her coming over with a gift and how welcoming she was.’

‘I didn’t hear her mention you, but then she never did say much about her life and I don’t suppose I asked.’

‘Well she spoke about you plenty,’ smiled Mairi. ‘She was always worried about you.’

‘I was her only blood I suppose. I didn’t give her the attention she deserved, but y’know how life can take over and you don’t see it. That’s a regret that’s going to stay with me.’

‘I think she understood,’ consoled Mairi.

‘How did you become so close to her? You’re different generations after all.’

‘She was just so friendly. And when Colin died, she was always there for me. She couldn’t have been nicer, coming down to see that I was alright, but not in an intrusive way. She would even take the kids over to town to give me time to myself. It was good for them to get away from the house and that was how I got my crying done. I was trying to be strong in front of them. She seemed to understand that.’

‘The one thing she definitely never spoke to me about was the cancer. Last time I saw her, she seemed fine.’

‘It was very aggressive. As far as I know she was only diagnosed at the turn of the year. Her courage was incredible.’

‘She should have told me.’

‘Would it have made any difference?’ asked Mairi. ‘I mean, what could you have done? She thought you had enough to deal with.’

‘You discussed it with her?’

‘I said she should tell you, but she wouldn’t. It was only at the very end that she told me to call you.’

‘She told you, or did you do it yourself?’

‘No, she wanted to see you. When she knew there wasn’t long left, she became anxious. I think she wanted to speak to you.’

He got up abruptly and walked back through to the bedroom where Mary was lying. The doctor had placed her arms by her side and removed all but one of the pillows from behind her head. He looked down on her sallow, lined face and placed his hand on her forehead, pushing back a stray grey hair.

Kneeling by the bed, he whispered softly to her.

‘You were special. I never said it, like so much else, but you were. You were the closest I had on earth and now you’re gone. I’ll never forget you, Mary.’

6

CAL WAS BOTH sad and relieved when the undertakers arrived soon after nine o’clock. He followed them into Mary’s bedroom.

‘You might prefer to wait in another room, sir. If you’ll just give us a few minutes.’

Cal went back through to the kitchen with Mairi.

The undertaker was as good as his word and he and his assistant performed their sombre task with due respect and dignity.