The Child Across the Street by Kerry Wilkinson

Author:Kerry Wilkinson [Kerry Wilkinson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Psychological, Thrillers, Crime, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural, Suspense, Noir, Private Investigators, General
ISBN: 9781838887483
Amazon: B089YSY1K3
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2020-07-22T18:30:00+00:00

Twenty-Six

Damien, the funeral director, welcomes me into the reception with a solemn bow. He’s in a suit that’s even smarter than the other day, with a dark tie and glimmering black shoes. I don’t blame him as he looks me up and down, taking in my loose, cream trousers and vest with a dark cardigan. Covering up this much on a hot day is enough of a sacrifice.

Despite the look, he says nothing about my outfit.

‘Everything’s ready at the back,’ he says.

He starts to lead me through the carpeted area but then stops.

‘I know you mentioned changing the music. I hope this is acceptable. There are other options, or you could choose something yourself. I have Spotify.’

I’d not even noticed the music, but, rather than the suicide-inducing piano melody from before, it’s some sort of Boyzoney, Westlifey nonsense that is not only hated by me but would have been utterly detested by my father.

‘It’s perfect,’ I say.

I make a move towards the room at the back, but Damien touches me on the shoulder gently. ‘There’s a couple more things,’ he says. ‘I know you said flowers weren’t really his thing, but I have a friend at the florist and she had a wreath that had been paid for and not picked up. It was going to go to waste. It’s in there at the moment, but I can get rid of it if you prefer…?’

‘I genuinely do not care what you do with it.’

There’s a part of me determined to break him and get even a small reaction – but he’s stoic.

‘I think I’ll leave it in there,’ Damien says. ‘The next thing is the coffin and whether you’d like it open or closed. I know you weren’t keen on a viewing the other day, but this will be the last opportunity.’

‘You can padlock the lid closed if you want.’

‘You’d prefer it shut?’

‘I’d prefer it in the ground.’

Another short nod, but there’s still nothing approaching anything other than a professional response.

‘The final thing is whether you’d like to speak. I know that you previously said—’

‘You can do the talking.’

‘Not a problem.’ He straightens his suit and then steps to the side. ‘I’ll go and sort out closing the casket. If you wait here, I’ll be back in a few minutes.’

When he leaves, I take a seat in the arc of chairs that is near the entranceway. I swig from my bottle and enjoy the gentle burn of the liquid. I’m under the air-conditioning vent and the chilled breeze leaves me shivering. Another drink sees to that.

I look up when the door goes and Helena shuffles in. She’s dressed in a black skirt-suit that I suspect has been making too many appearances in recent times. I expect her to close the door, but she holds it open and Chris and then Kirsty appear, each wearing black. There was no indication they’d be here when I saw Chris earlier and it’s hard to hide my surprise.

When they’re all inside, Helena comes across to me and clenches my hands in between her own.

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