Free Beyond Death by Deb McEwan

escalator to browse in Debenhams. Looking at nothing in particular on the escalator going down she saw a face she recognised.
    It was the mother of Claire, the girl who’d died with Ron and she was sobbing. They’d hadn’t met before, but Val recognized her face from the Memorial Service.
    ‘Hello,’ she called. ‘Hello.’ The people on the down escalator turned to stare at Val but Claire’s mother kept facing forward, too absorbed in her own grief thought Val. She hurried to the top of the escalator then ran back and made her way quickly down the other, her eyes following Marion all the while. She quickly caught up with her and tapped Marion on the shoulder. Marion turned, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Val could see how upset she was and started crying herself.
    ‘I’m Val,’ she said between the tears. ‘Ron’s wife.’ Marion’s expression changed from confused to sympathetic and Val saw the effort it took for her to try and control herself.
    Val took a breath and fought to control her own emotions. To say it had been heart breaking to lose her own husband was an understatement, but she couldn’t imagine life without Carl or Libby. It was against all the laws of nature for parents to outlive their children yet this woman had lost a child and Val’s heart went out to her, and for a moment she was able to put her own feelings to the back of her mind.
    ‘Shall we go for a coffee?’ Marion nodded silently and Val led them to the coffee shop on the next corner.
    Now on a mission, Val grabbed a booth in the corner that had just been vacated. It gave them a bit of privacy and they could also people watch the shoppers if they wanted.  The waitress took their order and Marion composed herself.
    ‘I’m so embarrassed. I’ve learnt to control myself at home, but everything about London reminds me of Claire and the boys.’ She explained that the twins had invited her down for the weekend.
    ‘I told them their father’s working away and can’t get home this weekend.’
    ‘I see,’ said Val. It was obvious by her tone that Marion had lied to her sons and Val wondered why. She didn’t have to wait long.
    ‘I threw Graham out,’ said Marion and Val nodded encouragement.
    ‘I’ve known for years that he had another life and family but was willing to put up with it.’ The waitress came with the drinks and Val tried her best not to look shocked. Marion didn’t look like the type who would put up with nonsense from anyone, never mind her husband. It just goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover she thought.
    ‘Then when we lost Claire, I didn’t see the point any more. She always lived her life to the full just like my mother, and something changed in me.’
    Losing her daughter must have been a lot to deal with, and now her marriage. Val’s heart went out to Marion and she put a hand over hers.
    ‘I’m so sorry.’ Was all she could manage but Marion seemed to appreciate the gesture.
    ‘So your sons don’t know?’
    Marion shook her head. ‘Not yet, no. I was hoping that their father would tell them but it’s been two months and he still hasn’t said anything. Tony and Jim aren’t stupid and know something’s going on,’ she lifted her mug and took a sip of coffee. ‘If Graham doesn’t say anything soon I’ll have to, but it should be him, especially as they’ve got a half-sister.’
    ‘Oh, poor you, Marion. What are you going to do?’
    ‘I really don’t know. I feel the need to get away and do something useful. I can’t stand the pain and sitting around thinking of Claire every day is slowly killing me.’
    Something clicked with Val. Although their circumstances were different she’d found another lost soul who seemed to feel exactly the same as she did.
    ‘I was having an affair when Ron died.’ Val blurted it out and now it was Marion’s turn to look shocked.
    ‘Oh.’ Val noticed her withdraw straight away and felt the need to explain.
    ‘It was stupid and he