Free The Loner by Rachel Ennis

post mortem. I know it sounds daft, and you can laugh, but he spent every daylight hour working outside in his garden. The thought of him lying in a fridge –’ She stopped as tears threatened.
    â€˜I aren’t laughing, bird. Here,’ he put his arms around her again. ‘Just think, the new cemetery have got a lovely view down to the river and across to the woods on the other side. He’ll like it there.’
    Turning, Jess hugged him hard. ‘You’re special, Tom Peters.’
    Grinning, he licked the tip of his index finger and smoothed one eyebrow. ‘Well, I aren’t one to brag –’
    She grinned. ‘Yes you are.’ She set the plates on the table. ‘Don’t wait. I know you need to get back. I’ll just make the tea.’
    â€˜Don’t take me wrong, Jess,’ he chewed and swallowed, ‘but I’ll bet you’ve been sat at that laptop all morning. How don’t you go for a walk before you start again? You’ll get on better after a blow of fresh air. Now you can tell me to mind me own business.’
    â€˜I won’t, because you’re right. I’ll call in the shop and see if Gill knows whether anyone has spoken to the vicar. I should have said something at the fête but I never thought.’
    â€˜That wasn’t the time or place. If you’re going to the vicarage after you been in the shop, I can take you as far as the yard. You’ll still have a nice walk back.’ He swallowed the last of his sandwich then reached across and laid his large callused hand gently on her arm. ‘You’re doing all right, my lover. But go easy on yourself.’
    The phone rang. Jess lifted the receiver. ‘Hello?’ She covered the mouthpiece with her hand. ‘It’s the coroner’s office.’ She listened. ‘No, sorry, I don’t. PC Davey and I have both been looking but we haven’t found anyone.’ She listened again. ‘Me? I – Could you hold on a moment?’ She covered the mouthpiece again.
    â€˜He wants me to formally identify the body.’
    Tom frowned. ‘No way. Tell him to ask Gerry Eustice. John Preece was up to the shop every week. Gerry seen him far more often than you did.’
    Jess repeated Tom’s suggestion, relieved when the coroner agreed. ‘We’re having a collection in the village to pay for his funeral. Can you tell me when –? Right. I will. Thank you.’ She replaced the receiver. ‘He told me to phone him in a couple of weeks. He should know more then.’ She swallowed the remainder of her tea and set down her mug. ‘Thanks for suggesting Gerry. I really didn’t want to do it.’
    â€˜â€™Course you didn’t. He shouldn’t have asked. You found the body and done everything you was s’posed to then. That’s enough. ’Tisn’t your responsibility to tick all his boxes for ’n.’
    Jess was touched. Tom rarely showed anger. Usually when something upset him he simply went quiet. ‘We still on for Wednesday?’
    He grinned, visibly relaxing. ‘We are.’ He glanced at the clock.
    â€˜Give me two minutes.’ Jess made for the stairs. When she came down again he was drying the plates. ‘You can come again.’
    â€˜I’m counting on it,’ he grinned.
    Twenty minutes later he turned down the road to the yard, stopped the pickup and turned towards her. ‘See you soon, bird.’
    Jess leaned forward and kissed him. His lips were warm, soft, familiar. She would have moved back but he cupped her head and kissed her again thoroughly.
    He sat up. ‘Go on then.’ He grinned. ‘Some of us got work to do.’
    Jess jumped out. ‘You’ll pay for that, Peters.’ She shut the door.
    â€˜Promises, promises.’ He roared off down the road.
    Jess laughed as she watched him go. Being with him made her happy.
    She walked across the gravelled