Ava's legs began to shake as she watched the last of the mourners throw handfuls of earth onto the coffin, then walk away like it was nothing out of the ordinary.
“Do you want us to stay with you, babe?” Rachel said.
Through watery vision, Ava looked up at Rachel and Gully, standing arm in arm in front of her. Rachel’s eyes were red and swollen and Ava instinctively reached out to wipe a lonely tear from her cheek. “I’m s**t at things like this. I’m sorry. I’m an emotional wreck,” Rachel said. “It was a beautiful service. I bet your mum is looking down thinking about what a wonderful daughter she has.”
“She’s right,” Gully added. “It was a lovely send-off.”
Ava thumbed the single red rose in her hand and nodded. “You don’t have to stay. I’m okay, but thank you for offering. I’d like
