Exclaim!

Each absorbed in their own silence, they gathered around the coffin! The pale grey light of morning slanted through the window and lay in a distorted square across the dark wooden surface!

‘So!’ said Peter! ‘I’m glad we could all make it!’

‘Of course!’ said Cassie, quietly! ‘You think I’d stay away?!’

For a moment, no one said anything! The air conditioner hummed quietly!! All eyes were on the coffin, long and dark in front of them! Peter seemed to be about to speak, but paused, then just shook his head! Michael took a step back!!

‘It’s time to go!’ he said!

One by one, they turned and walked slowly to the door, each pausing before they left to glance, one final time, at the last home their father would ever know! Peter was the last!! He looked back into the room and nodded once, curtly, before letting the door close behind him with a click!!!