Over The Line

When I went in to say goodbye to Claire, she looked just as beautiful as the first time I saw her. Her face was serene, like she was just taking a long, long nap. Kieran opted out of a wake. James was buried with his first wife. There was no space in the family burial plot for Claire. Besides, she once told Kieran that she didn’t want to be buried. She wished to be cremated, her ashes scattered to the sea. Kieran honoured her wish. He called Kingsley and Tristan. We gathered on the beach. Tristan was late. ‘Let’s go,’ Kieran said coldly. The three of us boarded a chartered boat which took us five miles out to sea. Kieran held the urn with both hands. It contained Claire’s ashes and daffodil petals, her favourite flower. ‘Goodbye, Mum,’ Kieran muttered, then he tilted the urn. A gentle breeze blew. It felt like the loving caress of a mother’s hand. ‘Rest in peace.’ I bowed my head and muttered a prayer. After we got back on land, Kingsley patted Kieran’s shoulder. ‘My condolences. Call