Chapter 5
"BERNIE ARE YOU READY?" Howard shouted from the bottom of the stairs.
"Yes I'm ready." Bernie said as she came down the stairs all dressed up.
"Are you going somewhere nice after we've been to the funeral home?"
"No, not really." Bernie said as she picked up her phone and bag. "Let's go then shall we?"
"Yeah. Let's go see your Mum." Howard held Bernie's hand as they went to the car.
"Good Morning Sir. How can I help you?" The receptionist asked as they got to the funeral home. Bernie's eyes were all over the place looking to see if she could see Serena.
"I'm Howard Wolfe. You rang me earlier and said I could come and see my wife Edith."
"Of course I will just get someone to take you through." The receptionist walked away and came back with a man.
"Hello Mr Wolfe. I'm Jim, would you like to come through?"
"Where's Serena?" Bernie asked.
"She's out picking up someone from a nursing home. You can stay here for as long as you like."Jim said as he opened the door.
"Thank you." Bernie put her hand in her Dad's as they walked closer to the coffin.
"Hello my Darling" Howard said as she reached out and put his hand over his wife's. "Bernie is here with me. And Stephen and Louise are coming to see you this afternoon."
"I'm sorry I can't do this Dad." Bernie cried as she ran out of room. "I'm so sorry." Bernie cried as she bumped straight into Serena catching her before she fell.
"No harm done. Are you alright?"
"I've just been in to see Mum and it's just got to me."
"Come with me. Paulette will you tell Mr Wolfe that Bernie is in my office when he has finished with his wife please?" "Yes of course." Serena put her arm around Bernie's shoulder and walked her into her office.
"Take a seat. Can I get you a drink?"
"Haven't got a whisky have you?"
"It just so happens that I have." Serena walked over to cupboard and pulled out a bottle.
"It's Jack Daniels. Is that OK?"
"Definitely. Thank you." Bernie smiled as Serena passed her the drink. "Ahh that's good." Bernie said as she took a drink of the whisky. "I'm sorry about what happened out there. It was just a shock that's all. It just all seems too real now. Seeing Mum in the coffin. And knowing that I'm never going to see her again." Bernie sobbed as Serena kneeled in front of Bernie and put her arms around her." I'm sorry."
"It's ok. You don't have to be sorry." Serena held Bernie tighter. Bernie closed her eyes as she breathed in Serena's perfume. Serena held onto Bernie until Bernie decided to speak again.
"You smell gorgeous."
"Thank you. It's Coco Mademoiselle, it's my favourite." Serena smiled as she passed Bernie some tissues. "Listen, I'm here whenever you need to talk." Serena pulled out a card out of her drawer and scribbled on the back of it before giving it to Bernie. "The number on the back is my private mobile number. Give me a ring whenever you need to talk."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm quite sure." Serena smiled as she put her hand on top of Bernie's but quickly removed it when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
"Are you alright darling?" Howard asked as he stepped into the office.
"I'm fine now Dad. Serena has been looking after me."
"Thank you Serena."
"It's no problem."
"Do you want to go back in and see Mum?"
"I don't know."
"I'll go in with you if you want to go back in?" Serena asked softly.
"Would you mind?"
"I wouldn't have asked if I minded." Serena smiled. "Do you want me to come in with you?"
"Yes please." Serena held out her hand which Bernie immediately took. Which made Howard smile.
"I'll wait here if that's OK?"
"That's fine. Do you want a drink or anything?"
"No thanks, I'm fine." Howard turned around and watched as Serena and Bernie leave the office hand in hand. Bernie never let go of Serena's hand even when they stood beside the coffin.
"Your Mum was a very pretty lady." Serena said as she squeezed Bernie's hand.
"Yes she was. I miss her so much. I just wish she could tell me that she loves me one more time." Bernie cried as she buried her head in Serena's neck.
"At least you got to spend 27 years with your Mum. Some people don't even get that."
"Like you." Bernie said as Serena pulled away from her.
"How do you know about that?"
"My erm. My Dad told me. He said you were just a baby when your Mum left."
"Yes I was. She obviously didn't love me. My Dad and my family are the only people that have ever loved me. Nobody else will ever love me." Serena said with tears in her eyes. "I erm, I better get back to work. Have you finished here?"
"Yes." Bernie smiled sadly as she followed Serena back to her office.