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“Shut up, Sam.” I pushed him back with my arm. “It’s about to start and we all know that you’re not Liam’s real dad.”
Louise and Maya laughed quietly and then we all sat back to pay tribute to a girl who had always held my daughter’s hand when I couldn’t. Now she was gone but at least Maddy had Zak now, as well as me and Maya. There were a lot of kids who couldn’t say that, so I was happy that my daughter was one of the lucky ones.
“Ana was my friend, my best friend since we were little, and I will always treasure that.”
As Maddy took a deep breath, Liv rubbed her back, giving her what she needed to continue. Liv and Emma had done their tributes, Liv’s had been a funny story about the four of them getting locked in the school, something I hadn’t known about. Emma had read out a poem that she’d written herself, all about friendship. It was beautiful and poignant, leaving more than one person crying at the end of it. Now, Maddy was battling her tears to read out her tribute.
When she didn’t continue, my hands clenched, wondering whether I should go up there and hold her hand. Her bravery won through, and after glancing into the audience, I suspected at Zak, she carried on.
“We did so many things together,” she looked up and grimaced, giving a little shrug, “sorry parents about this next bit. We had our first taste of alcohol together when we skipped Mr Kings geography lesson once.” Then she looked over at the staff who were sitting against the wall. “Sorry, Mr King, but rock formation wasn’t doing it for us.”
“Did you know that?” Maya whispered to me.
“No, I didn’t. Now I know why she dropped geography the minute she could.”
“Ana and I also went to our first gig together and we both fell in love with Shaun Peters together when we were eight and he was fifteen.” A murmur of laughter spread around the hall, and Maddy’s shoulders relaxed. “Shaun never knew, so if he ever arrests you, please don’t tell him.” When there was more laughter, the pride I felt for her was huge. Even Ana’s family had smiles on their faces. Susan was wiping her nose with a tissue, but she was definitely smiling behind it. “Ana was also the first person to tell me if my outfit didn’t look right, or if my hair needed cutting and she was the first person to notice that I had the hots for the new boy in school.” She looked in Zak’s direction, her features softening, and I was glad that he hadn’t been a dick. He was a good kid and was good for Maddy. “The point is we might have argued from time to time,” she stumbled on those words, “but she was always there for the important parts. I can’t believe I’m going to have to go through those in the future without her. It doesn’t seem right or fair. Not for her parents, her brother, her family, her friends, me,” her voice broke but she carried on, “but mostly for her. She would have taken life by the reins and lived it to its fullest but, because of one stupid decision, she won’t get the opportunity.” Folding her notes she pushed them into her pocket and smiled at the audience. “I will never forget Ana. She will always be in my heart and when I graduate, get my first job, get engaged, married, and become a mother, I will tell her all about it. Then she’ll still be with me for the important parts.” She then looked directly at Ana’s family, placed a hand on her heart and finished by saying, “Thank you for giving me the best friend in the world.”
“Oh Will,” Maya whispered. “That was beautiful, you must be so proud of her.”
I couldn’t speak for the lump in my throat but just nodded. I was proud, proud and grateful because she was my daughter, and I’d had a part in making her the person she was.
Without thinking about it, I leaned into Maya. “Want to move in with us?”
She blinked and pulled back to look at me eye to eye. “What?”
“Want to move in with us? Me and Maddy, well, until she goes to uni because I have a feeling she might change her mind about going to Edinburgh.”
“H-have you asked her?” she whispered as Miss Combs took over on the microphone. “And how do you know about her changing her mind about uni?”
“Not yet but I know she’ll be fine about it. She loves you. She’ll be happy for us, I promise you.” I leaned in closer. “As for Edinburgh, she tried to hide a letter from me and there’s a certain boy who is going there.”
Maya’s eyes widened, wary as she glanced towards the stage.
“Well?” I prompted.
“I-I mean it’s a shock and I’d love to, but can you ask me again once you’ve spoken to Maddy.” She dropped her head, leaning closer to my ear. “And this is a strange place to ask me.”
I shrugged. “Maybe, but today is all about the end of a life and the end of a chapter.” I looked over to Ana’s mum, dad and brother who were hugging the girls, glad once again it wasn’t me. “The end of one chapter usually means the beginning of another,” I continued, “so it seems as good a place as any.”
Rolling her lips inwards, Maya nodded and then placed her hand in mine. Exactly where it was meant to be.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Will
Maddy and Zak were curled up on the sofa, watching some mindless reality TV show based on a luxury yacht. I had no clue what was going on, only that some people had millions in the bank but no taste whatsoever. What I also knew was that Zak hadn’t let go of her hand in the two hours that they’d been sitting there. They’d even eaten their pizza one handed.
“Any chance we can have a chat?” I asked, leaning down to pick up the TV remote and pausing the program.
“Do you want me to go?” Zak asked, looking like he might burst into flames if he had to leave my daughter’s side.
I shook my head. “It’s fine because I reckon this affects you as well.”
Maddy scooted to the edge of the sofa, concern in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Is Maya okay, did she go to bed because she doesn’t feel well?”
“No, no. It’s all fine. She just needed a nap. Those painkillers knock her out.” I sat down and patted Maddy’s knee reassuringly. “It is about Maya, though.”
“Is she pregnant?” Maddy gave me the first smile she’d offered in days. “Please yes. I’ve always wanted a little sister.”
