Annabel stood at the window. Her hands wrapped around a cup of coffee, she stared out into the garden. The sun shone down making the pink, cup-like blossom of Gerry’s magnolia tree even more vivid; especially when set against the bluest of skies. So beautiful, thought Annabel. She acknowledged how, to the Victorians, this tree meant dignity and nobility. With the magnolia flower representing both decorum and pride, she couldn’t think of a more apt bloom for this mother and son.

She took in the solitary figure stood amidst its branches. Poor Dan. He missed his mum so much that Annabel thought her heart would break. She wished she could do more to ease his pain, but she knew from experience that she just had to be patient, only time could heal his wounds.

She admired his bravery. For the most part, he’d managed to cope, putting on a strong front whenever the telephone rang or people stopped by to give him their condolences. He’d even been able to keep a calm head when dealing with the funeral director. Then again, thought Annabel, being so organised his mother had made all things official pretty straight forward. Be it in relation to her burial, her will, and her insurances, she seemed to have thought of everything. And, no doubt, to ensure Dan had less to concern himself with during this difficult period.

Then there’d been times like now, when he just wanted to be alone for a while.

While respecting his wishes, sometimes Annabel would hear his sobs as he hid himself away in another room. On other occasions, there would be silence as he simply sat in quiet contemplation. In both these cases, Annabel felt powerless and she’d had to stop herself from rushing to his side. Thankfully though, he had shared some of his grief with her too, as if he’d instinctively known not to shut her out altogether.

She wondered if she should go out and join him now. But as he began to pace up and down, he seemed to be talking to someone. Annabel smiled gently. If the neighbours saw him, they’d probably think his mother’s death had tipped him over the edge. But she knew from experience that he was chatting to his mother, talking about the day ahead and, no doubt, saying his last goodbye.

She looked at the clock and realised his mother would be here soon. She dreaded seeing the hearse. Not sure how she’d react, this was the first funeral she’d attended since burying Tom. For a moment, she allowed herself to recall the long slow procession as she, her family, and friends made their way to the church – the hardest journey she’d made in her entire life and here she was, about to do it again. The tears that flowed at having to say goodbye and the many kind and heartfelt eulogies spoken that day were unforgettable. And she remembered how she silently pleaded that she, too, could die as her husband’s coffin was carried to its final resting place. Even more so when it was gently lowered into the ground.

She looked up to the heavens, in a bid to ask for help. ‘If you can hear me, Tom,’ she said. ‘I could really do with some support right now.’

Annabel realised that she had tears in her eyes and wiped them away. She told herself she couldn’t dwell. Today wasn’t the day to be thinking about herself or what she had been through. Today was about being there for Dan.

The doorbell rang and suddenly diverted her attention. Not sure what to do, she glanced out into the garden again and wondered if she should call Dan inside. After deciding to leave him a little while longer, she took one deep breath after another, in an attempt to get herself together. If the coffin had arrived, she needed be in control.

Annabel headed out into the hall, it felt strange to be taking charge in someone else’s home. But just like his mum, she wanted to take care of as many details as possible so that Dan didn’t have to. Deep down though, she knew his mother would approve. Annabel might not have known the woman for very long, however, they’d still managed to grow close thanks to their joint love for Dan. She thought about those last days, at how she witnessed the precious bond between mother and son. Such a sad experience, yet at the same time so beautiful and Annabel felt both honoured, and privileged, to have been included.

She took one last deep breath, ready to greet the funeral director and, after fixing a smile on her face, she opened the door. Annabel suddenly felt her whole body relax, relieved to see Katy and Rebecca standing there instead. ‘Thank goodness,’ she said. ‘I was expecting you to be the Men in Black.’

More than pleased to see them, she couldn’t help but wonder if Tom had had a hand in this. Despite having expected to meet her friend and sister at the church, she realised that she should have known they would turn up. After all, they both had form for stepping in when needed.

Grateful for the support, she gave them each an appreciative hug. ‘Thanks for coming,’ she said.

‘How is he?’ asked Rebecca.

‘And how are you bearing up?’ asked Katy.

Annabel stood aside to let them in. ‘I’ve had a couple of wobbly moments and I’m sure he has too. But I think we’re both doing okay considering.’

They both returned her gaze, their sympathy evident.

‘Well you concentrate on making sure Dan’s alright,’ said Rebecca. ‘And we’ll do what we can when it comes to the rest.’

After leading them through to the kitchen, Annabel gave Dan a wave through the window, letting him know they had visitors. She smiled affectionately, as he signaled his acknowledgement, telling her he would be in shortly.

‘Tea? Coffee?’ asked Annabel, heading for the kettle.

‘Tea for me,’ said Rebecca. She dumped her handbag and jacket next to a chair. ‘By the way, this looks very nice.’

Glad of the approval, Annabel watched on as her sister inspected the food that she’d already prepared for the after-service get together. ‘I thought it better to get as much done as I could beforehand,’ she said. ‘I can make the sandwiches once we get back.’

‘Don’t worry,’ said Rebecca. ‘I can get on with that.’

‘And what about wine and beer?’ asked Katy. After opening the fridge, she began counting the bottles and tins. ‘Do you need me to go to the off-licence?’

Annabel rolled her eyes and laughed. Trust her.

‘What?’ asked her friend. ‘Everyone knows a wake isn’t a wake without alcohol.’

The back door opened and Dan made his entrance. Annabel watched him immediately look at the clock; like her, no doubt counting down the minutes until his mother’s arrival. He turned his attention to Katy and Rebecca, he didn’t just have a sadness about him, Annabel could sense an air of agitation. For some reason, he appeared unnerved by her sister and friend’s presence and she could tell from their expressions that this wasn’t her imagination, the two of them had clearly noticed Dan’s awkwardness too.

‘They’re here just to make sure we’re okay,’ said Annabel, however, no sooner had she spoken and she could have kicked herself. While attempting to alleviate his discomfort, even she knew how feeble her statement sounded. Of course, they weren’t okay. They were about to bury his mother.

‘Could you excuse me a minute?’ he said.

Dan quickly left the room and, hearing his footsteps on the stairs, Annabel began to feel at a loss. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘He isn’t really being rude.’

‘Of course, he’s not,’ said Rebecca.

‘Don’t worry about it,’ said Katy. ‘We all know how difficult this is. For the both of you.’

Annabel took a seat at the table; she felt her eyes getting watery again. ‘Sometimes I don’t know what to do or say for the best.’

Rebecca reached down and wrapped an arm around Annabel’s shoulders. ‘There’s nothing you can say or do,’ she said. ‘But he will get through this. You’ll see.’

Footsteps sounded once more and, as Dan began making his descent, Annabel tried to compose herself and attempted another smile as he re-entered the room.

Rebecca began gathering up her things. ‘I suppose we should be getting off,’ she said. ‘You’ll probably be wanting a bit of time to yourselves before … well, you know.’

‘We’ll see you at the church, yeah,’ said Katy, following Rebecca’s lead.

Annabel nodded, appreciative of their understanding as they moved to exit the room.

‘No,’ Dan suddenly said. ‘Please. Don’t leave.’

The two women stopped in their tracks. They looked from him to her, Annabel could see they didn’t know what to do for the best.

‘You being here means a lot,’ said Dan. ‘To Annabel and to me.’

Glad to see Katy and Rebecca relax, Annabel wished she could say the same for Dan, who understandably wasn’t quite himself. She watched his chest rise and fall as if for some reason he was trying to collect his thoughts.

‘There’s something I want to say,’ he continued. Again, he addressed her friend and sister. ‘And if you don’t mind, I’d like you to hear it too.’

‘Okay,’ said Rebecca. Obviously curious, she put her handbag down once more.

‘No problem,’ said Katy.

They looked to Annabel, wondering what this could be about, but feeling equally as in the dark, she wished she knew and shrugged in response.

‘You know how mum said today is all about celebrating her life?’ Dan began.

Annabel nodded, unable to help but recall the twinkle in his mother’s eyes as she insisted her send-off include lots of reminiscing, cheering, and dancing. Because that’s what she and Dan’s father would be doing as they looked down on everyone, she’d said. There was to be none of this morbid rubbish, as she put it.

‘Well she wanted it to be more than that,’ Dan continued. ‘She wanted it to be a celebration of the future too.’ He paused. ‘Not just for me, but for us, Annabel.’

‘You’re all probably going to think this is a bit weird on a day like this,’ he carried on, now glancing round at the three of them. ‘But Mum had such a unique way of looking at the world compared to most. And no matter what, she could always turn a negative into a positive.’

Annabel had to agree. In the short time she had known his mother, this was certainly a quality she’d come to recognise.

‘And she was right to think like that,’ said Dan. ‘Like she always said, life’s too short for anything else.’

‘Here, here,’ said Rebecca.

‘Anyway, I know that if I don’t do this now, today will forever be marked with sadness, something Mum definitely wouldn’t want.’

He turned to Annabel, her heart suddenly leaping thanks to the way he now looked at her. His gaze had become so intense and his face so full of love, she began to blush. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked.

She took in his shaking hands as he reached into his pocket, her pulse racing even faster as she watched him get down on one knee.

Surely not. He can’t be.

‘Annabel,’ he said. ‘Will you marry me?’

Dan produced a ring from his pocket; Annabel stared at the diamond before her. Such was her surprise, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

‘It was mum’s,’ said Dan. ‘She wanted you to have it.’

A tear rolled down her face as she looked from the ring, to Dan, and then to her sister and friend. Much to her surprise, tears rolled down their faces too as they willed her to say something.

Annabel couldn’t help but smile as she imagined his mother and father looking down on them, excitedly awaiting her response. But she knew they weren’t the only ones. Tom was with them, readily giving his blessing too.

She took in Dan’s hopeful expression. The love she felt for this man suddenly making her heart fit to burst.

‘Yes,’ she said.

Her sister and friend gasped, the delight written all over Dan’s face said more than words ever could.

‘I’d be honoured to marry you.’