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“Okay, but if you feel overwhelmed or just want to leave, do so. No need to ask.”

I smiled my thanks and went to make coffee. I asked people in the office if anyone wanted one and made a list.

“Sorry to hear about your loss,” I heard. I had been standing at the coffee machine.

When I turned, I came face to face with a man I’d seen, but not spoken to. “Thank you. It was coming, but still a shock.”

“Bloody horrible when someone close dies.”Another man joined us. He held his mug, and I took it from him.

I smiled at him. I appreciated their thoughts. I made us all coffee and delivered mugs to those at their desks.

Amelia wasn’t in the office, so I continued with the redesign of the club. I’d made the storyboard, now I needed to gather swatches of material and paint colour. I asked Mike how we did that.

“We have some suppliers, I’ll grab a list. You call them, explain what want and ask them to send swatches. If you’re not sure, you can visit them.”

I nodded my thanks and went back to my desk. I didn’t have any emails to deal with, so I sent a text to Sebastian instead.

Thank you for staying with me last night. I know what I asked, but I didn’t realise what I needed until you were there. Can we go out for dinner later? Or I can cook? I’m at work now. Ruby xxx

He didn’t reply immediately so I assumed he was busy. I placed my phone on the desk and decided to get some course work done. I’d been sent some pre-course work to do, and had decided to use the project I was working on as part of that. I opened up the course website and started.

I tried my hardest to focus, but my mind kept drifting off. I minimised the page and brought up a searchengine. I wanted to know how easy it was to get a DNA test. I found a company that offered the service and called them. I was told I’d need to visit my GP for my test and Grandma would need to provide hair, with the follicle attached, and finger nail clippings. I wanted to laugh when they reminded me I’d need permission. I then called the funeral company to ask if that was possible. According to them, they’d done this before a few times, all I needed were the sample pots.

I booked it all and then sat back in my chair and pondered. I’d decide if I was going through with it once the kit arrived.

Mike sent over the details for the paint and material suppliers, and I called both. I arranged for them to send swatches and paint charts to us. It seemed silly that we didn’t have current ones anyway.

“Mike, can I have a word?” I asked as I approached his office.

“Sure, what’s up, Ruby?”

“Can I go home? I know you said just to go when I wanted to, but I like to ask. I’ve ordered swatches and paint samples. I’m sort of kicking my heels at the moment. I’ve been online and done what I need to pre-course.”

He nodded his head. “Ruby, I don’t want to see you until after the funeral, unless you have an absolute desire to be here. How’s that?”

“I feel bad, I’ve been here less than a week and now I’m off!”

“Go, before I change my mind. Work from home if you want to.”

I smiled my thanks and gathered up my bag, laptop, and phone. As I walked to the stairs, I saw Sebastian had replied.

Hey, baby, I’m at home at the moment. I’d love to take you for dinner. Shall I collect you? Do you have enough clothes? I’ll book a table for seven. Seb xx

I waited until I was down in reception to reply.

That sounds great. I can walk over to you, save you the journey. I’ll need to get a change of clothes anyway. I’ll be over about five. Ruby xx

I had a couple of hours to kill so decided to head back to the flat. I wanted to go to the house, it was within walking distances as well, but I worriedhe’dreturn. I’d have to ask Monica if she would meet the agency to collect Grandma’s things.

When I returned to the flat, I made a coffee and opened my laptop. I needed to choose hymns. I scrolled through somefuneral arrangingsites and picked out a couple I liked and was sure that Grandma would, too. I wasn’t religious in any way, and Grandma hadn’t been to church all the time I’d been living with her, so I justchose some familiar ones that I might be able to mumble along to.

I refused the offer of an Order of Service; I thought it a waste of money. There would be the hearse, one car, and one display of flowers, that’s all. Minimalistic, and cheap, was what she’d wanted.

I hadn’t heard back from Sebastian so decided to just walk over to him. It shouldn’t take me more than ten minutes, I thought. I walked everywhere prior to him. Sometimes my journey would take an hour, but it was the cheapest way of getting around.

I changed out of my work clothes and threw on some jeans and a T-shirt, I then put my hoodie on and grabbed my backpack. With Converse on my feet, I set off.

It was actually a pleasant walk, the maps app on my phone directed me through some lovely back streets and across a park. I arrived at his half an hour later. I let myself in and called out his name.