It had been a month since the day which changed everything. The results were catastrophic for all concerned, resulting in the loss of a dear colleague and friend. Most of all, he'd left a wife, mother, best friend.
The funeral was definately well attended, previous patients had attended in droves, past colleagues, including Jeff Goodwin who flew in from Cameroon with Joan and Nkeshi, Mike flew from Australia and Nick from Germany with Marian. The sight of all these people, probably in the hundreds, was overwhelming, she had no idea that he'd touched the lives of so many people, bringing several into the world, even Mrs Lyons, who she hadn't seen or heard from for years, came, all dressed in black, having left her beloved Charlie at home. Ken had even made the long drive up from Torquay, supporting Lizzie, who was finding the situation too much to deal with.
Jill stood at the entrance to the crowded church, with her dear friend Mr Rose standing quietly next to her, with Mr Middleditch the other side. They were like a second family to her. She knew Mr Rose had done everything in his power to save him, but the injuries were just too severe. His lung was too badly damaged, as Mr Rose said, even if they'd saved him, he wouldn't be able to practice anymore. Removing a part of his lung was his only option, one that wouldn't have been taken lightly.
She missed him more than ever. Alone in this world, with 4 children to care for, her career, Gordon's posessions to sort. She'd been handed Gordon's role as Head of Practice, something she had yet to accept. It was a big decision, yet she was determined to do him proud. That was the least she could do. Her wedding ring was still firmly placed on her finger, as was her engagement ring, which she vowed to keep on forever.
As she watched the church fill up with people, standing in every avaliable space, the vicar (the one that had married them 9 years previously), ensuring everyone could see. The church looked beautiful, just as it did when they got married there, the sheer amount of flowers and tributes flooding the altar, and lining the ends of the rows of seats, with more being placed all the time. He certainly was a much loved member of the community. She clung to Mr Rose tightly, not wanting to let go, unable to watch anymore. The sheer number of messages, people approaching her, some she barely remembered, talking about Gordon in a positive way, noone could say a bad way about him. His bedside manner a common topic. His ability to connect with patients, his likability, the way he treated patients.
Eventually the church fell silent, and Jill turned to look at the black car, containing her dear husband, the 6 pallbearers, all lining up, ready to carry the decorated coffin through the vast sea of flowers and people to his final resting place, where people could pay their final respects. She hadn't moved from Mr Rose's side the whole time, now inconsolable, the sght too much for her to bear. Such a grand farewell for a much loved Doctor, father, husband, colleague, friend.
"Have courage my dear." Mr Rose whispered, handing her a much needed handkerchief, which Jill took reluctantly, wiping her already tearstained face, trying to compose herself for the hundreds of people waiting inside. All eyes would be on her, watching, commenting, staring. Her reaction alone had reduced people to tears even before the service had begun. The coffin slowly made its way into the church, through the centre aisle and down to the final resting place, with a emotional and grieving Jill following behind, still clinging on tightly to Mr Rose's arm, and Mr Middleditch behind her.
As she slowly made her way down through the church, the entire congregation turned to see her, all dressed in black, the tears having stopped for a short time, trying to compose herself for the service that was about to begin...