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‘Thechurch service was surprisingly moving.’
‘Totesemosh,’Miaput in. ‘Amazinghow many people turnedup.Lotsof dog owners there of course.Imean,Idon’t go to church butVerity’sactually all right, as far as vicars go.’
‘Iagree,’Daisysaid. ‘Iwasn’t sure howI’dfeel but it was actually really lovely.Thenwe had a weird kind of wake at the house.Canapésand champagne catered byTracyat theSeaSprayCafé.’
Mariondid a repeat shudder. ‘Notthat awful fat woman with the frizzy pink hair?’
Daisypointed an accusing finger. ‘Tracy’ssalt of the earth.She’sdone wonders for that café since she took over.’
‘Suppose.’Marionhuffed. ‘Still, champers and bits on sticks is an ask above bacon butties and a mug of builder’s.’
‘Thesalmon tartlets and thoseGreekmini skewers with the goat’s cheese and black olives were lush.Ihad three glasses of champagne too.Gota bit giggly on the till in the supermarket afterwards.’Miabegan straightening the greetings cards on the rack.
‘Hmm.’Mariongave her a very old-fashioned look, obviously miffed at missing out on champagne on tap and stylish party food. ‘Butwhat actually happened at this wake thing?’
‘Ifound it very touching.Hi,Marion.’Jancame out of the back room carrying three mugs. ‘VeryBerryfor you,Mia.’Shehanded round the mugs and gaveMariona baleful glare. ‘Asa dog lover,Ican honestly say it brought me to tears.’
‘Because?’Marioncouldn’t hide her impatience.
‘AggieandAustinread out memories,’Daisyintervened quickly,Marionand her mother didn’t always get on. ‘Somefunny, some sad.’
‘Iloved the one aboutGretelstealingAustin’sslippers,’Jansaid, blowing on her tea.
‘Andhe bought nine pairs before she outgrew the habit!’Mialaughed. ‘Andher running off with his walking pole and chewing it.’
Marionlooked at them as if they’d gone mad. ‘Hystericallyfunny.Not.’
‘Youhad to be there,Marion,’Daisysnapped out, losing patience. ‘Therewas a book where people could write in their own memories aboutGreteltoo.’
‘Ohno!Really?’
‘Well, she was a real character about town.Everyonelocal knew her and lots of tourists used to make a huge fuss over her wheneverAustinwalked her along the prom on busy days.’Daisysipped her tea. ‘Andthen her ashes were buried.Therewas quite a crowd.Lotsof people there with their dogs.Jagowith lovelyIvy,TomCatesbywithTiny.EvenSidtook time off from the farm shop and brought hisGreatDanealong.’
‘I’mwelling up now just thinking about it.’Janfished out a tissue from the sleeve of her jumper. ‘Thatlovely poem which was read out.’
‘MoreElizabethBarrettBrowning,’Miaadded. ‘Shehad a little spaniel namedFlush. “Blessingson thee, dog of mine”.’
‘Ohthat really did get me going.’Jandabbed her eyes.
‘Itwould get me going too.Rightout of there.’
‘Marion, don’t scoff.They’dprepared a spot just under her favourite rose bush, with a view of the sea.Theysaid she’d always be with them and they’d never leave her.’Daisyheard her mother blow her nose andMiasank into silence. ‘AsIsaid,Ireally wasn’t sure howIfelt about the whole thing butIdecided in the end it was the right thing to do.’
‘Well,Ithink it’s an insult to people dying.Youknow, actual humans.’Marionhitched up her sports bag.
‘Butit didn’t take anything away from any person who’s died,’Daisyreplied. ‘Ireckon the more love there is in this world, no matter what form it takes, the better place it is for all of us.What?’ she said, looking at the other women who were all staring at her open-mouthed. ‘Ican’t have a soft side?’
‘Youcan, my lovely.’Janrubbed her daughter’s arm. ‘It’sjust we never get to see it.’
‘Oh, hang on.’Mia’seyes, with their expertly applied flickyblack liner, went huge. ‘Didn’tIsee you talking toMrSpursat the wake?Youknow, the mysterious love-hunk who took you to lunch?Youtwo looked very cosy.’SheslurpedVeryBerry. ‘Maybethat’s why our boss has gone all slushy.’
‘Youmean the one who told me his girlfriend didn’t understand him.Thatone?Yes, we had a weirdly stilted conversation about football and how nice the town is.’
‘Oh,’Mariongroaned. ‘Youwill never get a man that way.’
‘Idon’t need one,’Daisysaid tersely. ‘Iwish you’d get that into your thick, interfering head.’
Mariongasped.Sheput a hand to her throat in an affected way. ‘Well, really.Ican see whenI’mnot wanted.’Stridingto the door, she flung it open and strutted out, leaving it ajar and swinging.
