It was the day of Margaret's funeral. Louis was already up, sitting at the end of the bed. Dayna went and sat next to him, pulling him into a hug and letting him cry, on her shoulder. "It isn't fair Day" Louis cried. "I know Louis but I'm pretty sure, she won't want us to remember by this" Dayna said. Tears were in Dayna's eyes, threatening to spill everywhere but Dayna had to stay strong, for Louis.
Dayna went and had a shower. She took her time to wash herself and her hair. Once she had dried off, she slipped on a plain sleeveless black dress and a plain black blazer, rolling the cuffs up. She put on some ballet flats. She didn't want to take her phone or a bag. Dayna came down the stairs slowly and she found Louis in the kitchen at the breakfast bar.
Dayna jumped on a stool and sat behind him. She put her hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. Louis looked at her with a smile. "Dayna, I want to give you something" Louis smiled. He pushed a black box towards Dayna. Dayna opened it and there was a gold necklace inside which had a gold heart on it. "Louis" Dayna gasped. "I want you to have it. Even when I'm not here, I'm still with you" Louis smiled. He took the necklace out the box and put it on Dayna himself. It was the only time Louis smiled in the day.
They tried to eat but they couldn't do it. Eventually, they got in Louis's Range Rover and set off for Doncaster. The ceremony was at the church near Louis's old house. They drove to Doncaster in silence. No music, no talking. Nothing. Dayna could see Louis was trying to hold in his tears, she had never seen him like this.
When they arrived, there was so many people. Dayna and Louis walked in hand in hand. Dayna and Louis ran to Johannah and Louis fell into his mum's arms. He cried and cried and cried. Dayna couldn't see Keith. He was maybe inside paying his final respects. After Louis, Dayna fell into Johannah's arms and they sobbed together. Dayna knew Margaret and she and Dayna got on well.
The service began and Margaret's coffin came in. There was beautiful flowers everywhere. Dayna caught a glimpse of Keith's face and he was drowned in grief. They could hear lots of people crying and the service began. Louis gripped Dayna's hand and squeezed it tight.
There was speeches and hymns and prayers. Dayna clung to Louis. He sobbed onto her and Dayna comforted him. She knew the feeling losing a gran so she tried to stay strong. She did cry but tried to hide it. Eventually it was Louis's turn to give a speech. Since he was the only grandson of Margaret, he was also speaking on behalf of his sisters too.
Dayna was seated next to Louis on the front row and she saw Lottie and her eyes were red. Dayna then looked up at Louis and he was at the podium, he took a deep breath and started his speech. Louis's speech went a bit like this:
Hey everybody,
I'm Louis and I was Margaret's grandson. I'm also speaking for my sisters Lottie, Felicite, Daisy and Phoebe. Our nan was an amazing woman. She looked after us like we were her own children. But our nan was someone special. She was kind to everyone. She always treated us kids, especially Lottie and me to sweets after school, I guess that grandad's role now.
At that point everyone laughed, even Keith. Then Louis started again. Dayna smiled as Louis was smiling. Then Louis started back up again.
Nan didn't drink, only a glass of sherry or gin at New Year or Christmas and she didn't smoke either. She didn't even like being in the same room as a smoker, so when we were watching TV and a TV scene or advert came on with smoking, she turned the channel over telling us we need to stay away from cigarettes. And I'm sure we've taken her word. She was one of the greatest grandmothers I could ever have. No one can ever take her place. And I've heard people say how the pain is losing their grandmother...
When Louis said that, Dayna knew he was talking about her. She didn't know what to feel. It was mixed emotions for her.
But I don't want to mention any names because that is their own matter and it could deeply upset them. But now, I know the pain at how it feels. That's all I have to say for now. Thanks.
Louis finished and he came and sat next to Dayna again. He had sort of stopped crying and Dayna rested her head on his shoulder and they sat holding hands. "Where you saying that about me?" Dayna whispered. Louis knew instantly what Dayna was talking about. "Yes" Louis whispered back.
Afterwards, music played and a slideshow played too. "She's was so beautiful when she was young" Dayna whispered to Louis. Louis nodded. There was deep silence but then everyone headed outside for the burial. All of Margaret's family dropped a bit of dirt onto the coffin and then they headed for the funeral tea.
At 8pm, for an emotional Dayna and Louis, it was back to London.
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