Chapter 5: Learning to Dance

On Thursday Lewis, Rupert, Ella and Gemma were off school to attend Rupert’s mum’s funeral. Julie had the day off work too. They all met up at Ernie’s first, then drove to the crematorium in Susan’s seven seater estate car.

At the crematorium they found the matron from the nursing home waiting. Soon afterwards the hearse arrived. The coffin was unloaded and the group of eight trooped in behind it.

Some Indian music was playing over the speakers that had been Rupert’s mum’s favourite. The coffin was placed on the pedestal and the music stopped.

Rupert, Susan and Ernie were sitting in the front row on one side of the aisle with Matron. Julie, Gemma, Ella and Lewis were in the front row on the other side. The Coffin on its pedestal was in the front opposite the centre aisle.

When the music stopped and silence descended, Rupert realised with horror he hadn’t a clue what to do. He had never been to a funeral before. He felt he should say some final words about his mum, but what?

Before he had chance to get too upset, he saw Ernie stand up and move over to the lectern.

‘Susan and I met Rupert’s mum briefly on two occasions.’ Ernie announced. ‘She was clearly a lovely lady, and it was very evident that she loved her son deeply. Rupert too loved his mum with all his heart. That was so obvious to anyone who knew him. Rupert is such a lovely person despite everything life has thrown at him. That has to be a great tribute to his mum.’

‘On the morning she died, she had a hug and a kiss from the son she loved. She spent a brief time with him, then when she decided it was time to go, she gave him a lovely smile that he will remember all his life. Then she reached out, took his hand in farewell, and died peacefully. There can be no good way to die, or to lose a loved one. But to go peacefully with the person you love most in the world at your side has to be one of the best.’

‘She never knew it, but Rupert’s mum has passed him over into our safekeeping. I promise her he will have the happy life he deserves and that she did her very best to give him.’

Ernie bowed to the coffin. Then as he resumed his seat, the music returned and the curtains started to draw. But before the curtains closed, they saw the coffin start to move away on its rollers.

Once the curtains had hidden it from view, Rupert got up and put his arms round Ernie. Giving him a hug and a kiss, he said, ‘That was lovely, thank you.’

Everyone filed out. Ernie and Susan thanked the Matron for coming and for all the care she had given Rupert’s mum. ‘If you come up next weekend,’ she said, ‘I should have everything finalised.’

‘We’re all going out to lunch,’ Ernie told her, ‘We’d be delighted if you would join us.’ She thanked him but said she needed to get back. She gave Rupert a hug and a kiss and wished him well.

They went to a restaurant near the crematorium and had a nice lunch. Rupert asked Ernie what happened about his mum’s ashes. ‘In about a week they will be collected from the crematorium by the funeral director,’ he told him. ‘Then we can go and collect them from him. They will be in a jar called an urn. It’s about this big.’ He demonstrated with his hands.

‘When we get home, I’ll show you what I thought of for somewhere to put them. But remember we want it to be how you want. So don’t feel you have to accept my plan or can’t criticise it or suggest changes. Don’t you ever forget that you are an equal part of the family now.’

Gemma came over to him and gave Rupert a hug. ‘Are you ok?’ she asked. ‘I can’t remember my dad’s funeral. I was only little,’ she told him. ‘I’m the same,’ Rupert told her. ‘I can’t remember my dad’s or my brothers either.’

Gemma didn’t know Rupert had had a brother, so she said nothing. Just took his hands in hers and gave him a kiss. ‘Well, you’ve got all of us now.’ she told him.

When they got home later, Ernie and Susan took Rupert out into the back garden. In one corner there was a fence down the side, but a stone wall across the bottom.

‘See that corner,’ Ernie said, ‘Well I thought we could make a sitting out area with a small bit of roof over it. I’ve spoken to the neighbours, and they have given me permission to replace the end bit of fence at the side with a wall to match the existing one. Instead of a square corner we would have a chamfered one with a recess in it to hold the urn of ashes. We’ll build it in so it will be there forever. Also, if you like the idea, we’ll take the picture of you and your mum that she had at the nursing home, out of the frame and laminate it. We’ll put it in with the urn.’

He pulled out a paper with a sketch he had done showing what he meant. ‘That’s lovely,’ Rupert said, ‘Can I help you build it?’ ‘Of course,’ Ernie said, ‘I was counting on it. We’ll start at the weekend.’

‘We’ll have a spare frame then, won’t we?’ Rupert said. ‘Yes,’ Ernie agreed, ‘Do you have something you’d like to put in it?’ ‘Not yet,’ Rupert said, ‘But can I have a photo of the three of us?’

‘Of course, you can.’ Ernie said. ‘It will be our very first family picture. We’ll have a copy too.’ ‘Can we have one of the whole family as well he asked, including Lewis.’ ‘Certainly,’ Ernie said, ‘I wouldn’t dream of leaving Lewis out.’

‘Do you think he knew what he was doing when he asked you to take me to see my mum?’ Rupert asked musingly. Ernie smiled at him. ‘I’m convinced of it.’ he said. ‘Just as I’m sure he had something to do with the speed we got approval to foster you. But perhaps we should pretend that we don’t know that,’ he said. ‘Saying nothing doesn’t stop us loving him for it does it?’

‘No.’ Rupert said with a happy smile.

On Saturday Ernie and Rupert started digging out foundations for the new section of wall and the chamfered piece across the corner. Rupert wanted to know why they were doing everything. Ernie loved explaining to him.

Whilst they were busy digging, Mike and Lewis had their usual hectic morning. Then as lunchtime approached, Dudley and Alison appeared at the shop door. In between customers, Alison told Lewis they just wanted a quick word. ‘Why don’t you join us for lunch?’ Lewis said. When they agreed he gave them some cash and his and Mikes order.

‘Visitors for lunch?’ Mike called over to him. Lewis nodded. As they were dealing with the last customer, Dudley and Alison returned from the chippy. Lewis waved them through to the back room.

When he and Mike went through after closing up the shop, there were four meals set out on the table and four mugs of coffee steaming happily. Two of the portions were smaller than the other two. ‘You’ve probably guessed the smaller ones are ours.’ Alison said.

Lewis looked her up and down. ‘You’re slimming down nicely,’ he said, ‘Dudley must be a good influence on you.’ She smiled as she said, ‘He even managed to convince my mum that I wouldn’t fade away and die if she reduced my portions at home.’

As they sat eating, Mike asked them how they were getting on together. They smiled lovingly at each other. Dudley said, ‘If I’d left school and was working, I would have proposed by now.’ With an adoring look at Dudley Alison said, ‘And I would have accepted.’

‘Well,’ Mike said, ‘That sounds as if you might be getting on ok.’ They all laughed. ‘I hope it happens for you.’ Mike told them. Dudley asked how Valerie was so Mike gave them all the news.

‘The reason we popped in,’ Alison said, ‘We have started going to ballroom dancing classes.’ ‘We can do a waltz now.’ Dudley said, beaming. Alison smiled at him then continued, ‘The majority are couples, but there are quite a few singles. However, the singles are mainly women. In fact, there is only one single man who gets passed around.’

‘Lucky fellow.’ Mike said with a laugh. ‘The instructor asks all the men from the couples to dance with the singles occasionally,’ Alison told them. ‘She says it’s not just for their benefit but dancing with a stranger shows us our own faults and helps us improve too.’