Free Secrets to Keep by Lynda Page Page A

beginning of the lunchtime session at his local pub. He’d put in an appearance at the wake, she had no doubt of that, as there was beer on offer for the men.
    At least fifty people besides themselves were present. Jessie having been as popular as she was, it was known that her funeral would be well attended, but even so none of the family had expected quite so many to take the trouble to pay their respects, not forgetting there were also those who would have liked to have attended but couldn’t, due to the fact they couldn’t afford to lose pay taking time off work.
    Since word had got out of the death, a steady stream of people had called at the house to express their condolences. Aidy and Bertha had lost count of the number of pots of tea they had mashed between them and packets of Rich Tea biscuits they had offered. It was comforting to know that so many people were genuinely mourning the loss of Jessie, but all the family would be glad when today was over so they could begin the long process of rebuilding their own lives without her.
    A short while later, as the bereft family made their way back to the house followed by the rest of the congregation, Aidy noticed Marion no longer hadher doll with her. ‘What happened to Janet?’ she asked.
    Looking up at her with large innocent eyes, Marion said, ‘I didn’t like the thought of Mam being down there all on her own, so when no one was looking I threw Janet in to keep her company ’til she wakes up. She’ll give me Janet back when she comes back home, won’t she?’
    Swallowing down a lump in her throat, Aidy tenderly patted the top of her sister’s head. ‘That was a lovely thing to do, Marion. Mam knows how much you love Janet, and I’m sure she’ll look after her for you.’
    An hour later back at the house, showing no sign that she’d recently suffered a stomach upset so bad it had seen her virtually commandeering the outside privy for the last three days, Pat Nelson barged her way through the throng of mourners, packed solid in the small back room and kitchen, and advanced towards Aidy. Pat was balancing a plate piled high with food in one hand and a brimming glass of sherry in the other. Despite the fact that Aidy was already in conversation with Miriam Liberman, expressing her gratitude for the use of her son’s suit which she would endeavour to return in the condition it was lent in, Pat rudely interrupted with, ‘You didn’t use Snow’s for the funeral like I suggested.’ It was very apparent she wasn’t happy about this fact.
    Politely excusing herself from Miriam and taking a deep breath to steel herself for the confrontation she knew was to come, Aidy turned to Pat and responded lightly, ‘Gran and I liked Clatteridge’s better, Mrs Nelson.’
    She gave a haughty sniff. ‘Jessie’s death policy must have paid out well if yer’ve got money to throw around. I know Clatteridge’s are much dearer than Snow’s. The money you’d have saved using Snow’s, you could have put to good use.’
    The truth was all the firms had quoted around the same price but Aidy and Bertha had found the people at Clatteridge’s to be the most pleasant and understanding to deal with, which was why she and her gran had settled for them. ‘Mam’s policy was to pay for her funeral, Mrs Nelson, and that’s what we used the money for.’
    Pat cocked an eyebrow in surprise and said sardonically, ‘Well, as long as you’re happy yer got what yer paid for. I know a bloke that works for Snow’s, and as yer related to me he’d have made it his business to mek sure you did.’
    Oh, so that was why Pat had wanted to insist they use Snow’s. She would have got a backhander for bringing in their custom.
    Aidy’s mother-in-law rammed a whole sausage roll into her mouth. Not caring that she was spitting out pastry flakes, she said, ‘I’m glad to see Arch was chiefbearer, but his brothers are really hurt you shunned them.’
    Through clenched teeth Aidy responded,