‘Back atcha,’ replied Cam, giving her a wink.
Walking towards the living room, Molly could hear George chattering away. ‘I’m not allowed out in the snow because it’s that deep it’s going to come right up to my chin.’
Bree was laughing where she was sitting on the rug in front of the fire, holding her hands out towards the flames.
‘George, could you just go and help Daddy in the kitchen?’
George saluted before he zoomed out of the living room at top speed. As soon as Molly heard their voices in the bakery kitchen, she took a seat in the battered old armchair next to the fire. She was staring at Bree, who was waggling her toes in front of the fire.
Feeling a wave of sadness knowing she was going to have to break the news to Bree about Stan, Molly swallowed.
‘Bree, I have some sad news to share with you.’
Wide-eyed, Bree looked up hesitantly.
Molly took the plunge. ‘I’m really sorry to say Stan passed away last night.’
Bree didn’t speak. She wrapped her arms tighter around her body, turning her gaze back towards the log fire, and began to slowly rock back and forth. Molly watched a tear slide down her cheek, which she wiped away with the back of her hand. Molly’s heart was breaking for her. The cards that life had dealt her were so unfair.
‘Are you okay?’ asked Molly tentatively.
‘Stan was a good friend. He was always kind to me.’
Molly reached for the box of tissues on the dresser and placed it next to Bree.
‘If this is life, I’m not sure it’s for me.’ Bree’s voice cracked. ‘It’s so unfair.’
Molly placed a cushion on the rug and sat next to Bree. She crossed her legs and stared into the fire. ‘You have your whole life ahead of you,’ she reassured her. ‘You’ve just had a shaky start.’
‘I’m really scared, Molly. Really scared,’ she repeated.
Molly reached out and took her hand.
‘I barely sleep, I don’t want to eat. There’s a continuous tightness in my chest. Sometimes I feel like my heart is just going to stop beating.’ Bree took a breath. ‘I have happy memories swirling around in my thoughts, then those thoughts turn to sadness. Life isn’t the same without my mum.’
‘Grief is a reaction to loss. At times you will feel comforted, other times in shock and disbelief.’
‘When will these feelings stop?’ asked Bree, looking at Molly.
‘Grief comes in waves. It takes time for reality to sink in. It doesn’t mean forgetting that person, it’s just about finding ways to remember our loved ones and adjust to life without them present. I know exactly what you are going through, though I was a little older when I lost my parents. Sadly, it doesn’t make it easier but at least I had my own security of a job and a home.’
‘Everyone I get close to leaves me.’ Bree’s voice was shaky and she blotted away the tears that were blinding her eyes. ‘Why? Why me? I walk around the streets day after day and walk past families who are laughing and joking. Dads giving their kids a piggyback ride, mums and daughters out having lunch. Why couldn’t I have all that? What is going to happen to me?’ Bree took a sideward glance towards Molly. ‘Me and Stan, we had a pact.’
‘A pact?’ queried Molly.
‘If neither of us made it to the shelter then the next place we would go would be the church.’ Bree smiled. ‘There’s been many times when Stan and I have ended up in the church overnight. He’d push open those heavy oak doors with a smile on his face and we’d have a party for two. We’d make a bed out of the pew cushions, which I have to say is comfier than some of Sam’s mattresses. There’s a small room at the back of the church with a kettle and usually a packet of biscuits. I’d make the tea and Stan would often plug in the organ; he was a brilliant musician.’ Bree took a breather. ‘He didn’t make it to the church last night, I just thought he’d gone to the temporary shelter.’
Molly was shaking her head. ‘He was discovered on the mountain pass.’
‘What was he doing on the mountain pass in that weather?’
Molly shrugged. ‘I really don’t know, Bree.’
‘And now I’ve not even got Stan… Loon moon,’ Bree murmured under her breath.
Molly turned towards Bree and stared at her, the hairs on her arms standing on end. ‘What did you just say?’
‘I said I’ve not even got Stan now.’
