I’m randomly staring at the coffin when I see Mrs Abernathy cross my field of vision and head for the pine box decorated with a spray of white carnations and lilies. She stops at the end of the coffin, probably not even realising her earthly remains are inside and about to be toasted like a marshmallow. Leaning in closer, she studies the framed photograph Larry had chosen. Instead of one taken later on in life, it’s the beautiful black and white portrait taken during the war that I saw of her at Larry’s house, with Mrs Abernathy not much older than eighteen and wearing her WRN uniform.
She studies it for a moment before turning and calling out. “Beau?” She shuffles around the coffin. “Beau?”
“Please rise as our dear departed sister is received into the loving arms of Christ,” the officiant says sombrely, and we all stand, accompanied by the sound of creaking benches.
I realise that, while I was distracted, we’ve reached the part of the service where the coffin will slide through the curtain behind it, bound for the furnace, and the last thing I want is Mrs Abernathy following it. I glance across to Dusty in alarm, but she’s already on her feet and heading towards the old lady.
“No, Delores, honey.” Dusty firmly takes her hand, using the same tone of voice one uses when dealing with a toddler. “Why don’t we go and have a look at the pretty flowers outside?”
“Beau?” Mrs Abernathy asks hopefully.
“Uh, sure.” Dusty throws me a look and shrugs.
As Dusty takes the old woman and disappears through the wall in the direction of the remembrance garden, I’m more convinced than ever that the mysterious Beau is Mrs Abernathy’s unfinished business somehow. I look across to Trudy, the ringleader of the Clapham Senior Ladies Social Circle. I’m sure she knows more than she’s letting on. If she’s known Mrs Abernathy for as long as she says she has, I’m hoping she can at least give me a second name for the handsome G.I. Mrs Abernathy met, and I suspect fell in love with, during the war.
Although, even if he’s by some miracle still alive, he’s probably in the States, which presents a whole new set of problems. I really am not sure how I’m going to get Mrs Abernathy’s unfinished business resolved at all.
The gloomy notes of the hymn Abide with Me begin to spill through the speakers surrounding us as Larry sobs into her hankie. I see Trudy wrap her arm around the devastated woman’s shoulders and my heart breaks for her, not just that she’s grieving her beloved aunt’s passing, but that her mother couldn’t be bothered to cut her holiday short to attend.
The coffin slowly begins to slide backwards, disappearing through the discreet curtained alcove while the curtains close in front. There’s a few moments of standing awkwardly before the funeral assistant opens the doors which lead out onto a covered patio, where the few wreaths and flower arrangements sent for Mrs Abernathy have been arranged for viewing.
We all solemnly shuffle through the doors and out into the fresh air.
“Tristan!”
I turn around to see Larry making her way over to me, her nose red and her eyes watery, but she manages a weak smile as she stops in front of me.
“Hello, Larry.” I smile in sympathy. “How are you holding up?”
“Better.” She blows out a breath and wipes her nose on a scruffy piece of tissue. “It was hard, you know, saying goodbye, but I feel like I have some kind of closure. I know that we still don’t know who killed her or why, and of course I want to know, I want justice for her, but it’s nice to know she’s no longer locked inside her mind. That she’s free now.”
My gaze momentarily flicks to the dead old lady about to wander into the brick boundary wall and disappear from sight until Dusty stops her and turns her around, letting her meander off in the opposite direction.
Yeah not so much, I think to myself, but of course, I can’t say that to Larry. I’m glad that thinking Mrs Abernathy has moved on to a better place is giving her peace of mind amidst a murder investigation, even if it isn’t true.
“Hmmm.” I watch as Larry turns her attention to Danny and Maddie.
“Detective Wilkes, Detective Hayes.” She smiles. “Thank you for taking the time to come.”
“Of course,” Danny says politely. “And I’d like to assure you we’re doing everything we can with regards to the investigation.”
Larry nods as her gaze falls on Chan. “I don’t think we’ve met,” she says. “Did you know my aunt?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Chan dazzles Larry with his smile and offers his hand. “Dr Chan. I work with Tristan at the mortuary.”
I chance a quick glance in Danny’s direction as he lifts his brow at the blatant lie.
“Oh well.” Larry blushes as she takes his hand, and I don’t blame her. However he identifies on any given day, Chan is stunningly gorgeous. “Thank you for coming.”
“My deepest condolences,” Chan replies.
“Are you all joining us at the community centre?” she asks.
“Yes.” I nod, trying to keep an eye on Dusty and Mrs Abernathy, who’ve disappeared from view again. “Um… did you need a lift to Clapham?” I turn my attention back to Larry.
She shakes her head. “No need. I’m going with Trudy and the other ladies, we’re going to split a couple of taxis.” She excuses herself and hurries away.
“Dr Chan?” Danny turns toward Chan. “You do know it’s illegal to impersonate a doctor? And that you’re standing in front of two police officers?”
