TIFFANY'S POV:
I woke up the next morning, the morning of Mum's funeral early, 5am to be precise, it still being dark as I untangled myself from Justin's arms and climbed out of bed and made my way downstairs, flicking on the kettle, making myself a cup of tea before moving into the living room, switching the television on and turning the volume right down…
JUSTIN'S POV:
I groaned as I came to. Reaching for my phone that was on the bedside table, I picked it up and saw the time was five to six. Stretching, my hand hit the pillow where Tiffany should've been laying. Turning my head, I saw she wasn't there. Moving from the bed, I made my way downstairs and saw a light in the living room was on, seeing her sat there, her eyes fixed on the TV…
"Hey, you." I greeted her as I walked into the room "What're you watching?"
"Are You The One," she informed me "me and Mum thought it was ridiculous but we always used to watch it together."
I smiled at her as she turned her head to me… "You had me worried."
"What do you mean?" she questioned
"When I woke up and you weren't in bed," I informed her "I didn't know what to think. I thought it could've been something to do with last night."
"I don't regret it." she admitted "It was what I needed, what I wanted. So thank you."
I smiled at her warmly and cupped her cheek in my hand… "How about I organise us some breakfast?"
"I'm not hungry." she informed me "You sort yourself something, and I'll fix myself something later."
"Tiff, you've gotta keep your strength up, babe." I replied
"And I will, later. I'm not hungry. Don't start, Justin." she begged
"Okay, okay!" I proclaimed, holding my hands up in defence "But I think you're gonna be saying different when you smell the French toast I'm about to make."
"Where did you learn to make French toast?" she asked as I went to leave the room
"It's pretty easy once you know how." I informed her "So, can I interest you?"
TIFFANY'S POV:
"So, can I interest you?"
My stomach rumbled as Justin asked me that and I nodded my head, smiling at him warmly…
"Two plates of French toast coming up." he proclaimed as he left the room
JUSTIN'S POV:
"Dad, hi." I greeted him as I finished getting organised for the funeral "Yeah, I'm good. Sorry I've not been in touch for a while. Life's been a bit hectic."
"Another girl on the scene already?" he questioned
"Something like that…" I replied "There's something I need to tell you."
"Sounds serious," he admitted "what's up?"
"It's Allie…" I informed him "She died at the beginning of last week."
TIFFANY'S POV:
"She died at the beginning of last week."
I covered my mouth with my hand as I heard Justin say that, a sob escaping my mouth. Hearing footsteps, the door to my bedroom opened and Justin appeared, pulling me into him quickly…
"It was cancer, Dad." he informed him "Yeah; they're as okay as can be. I'll come and see you when I can. Yeah, I'll tell them. Okay, see you soon. Bye."
I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and pulled away from Justin as he hung up the phone and moved to my mirror, wiping at my eyes…
"He rang me." he admitted after a moment or two's silence "I had to tell him."
"I get it." I assured him, smiling at him weakly "We'd better get downstairs. The cars will be here soon."
JUSTIN'S POV:
Tiffany entwined her hand with mine as the car pulled up outside the church and she, myself and Floyd climbed out, Floyd moving to the car we'd followed as the other pallbearers made their way over too. Moving to stand in front, they lifted it onto their shoulders and began their procession into church...
TIFFANY'S POV:
"Are you okay, Floyd?" I asked as I made my way over to my brother as he sat at the bar of the pub Mum's wake was being held in
"Oh, so you remember I exist then…" he scoffed "Get lost, Tiff."
"Floyd, I…" I began
"I said get lost!" he proclaimed "Did you not hear me? Go away!"
JUSTIN'S POV:
I turned my head as I heard Floyd's raised voice and saw Tiffany hurrying out of the pub, his eyes catching mine as she did. Setting my bottle of beer down, I excused myself from the conversation I'd been involved in and made my way outside, finding Tiffany sat on the ground sobbing…
"Come here," I sighed, pulling her into me "he didn't mean it."
"Didn't he? How do you know? Did he tell you that?" she questioned
"No, but I know he didn't." I replied "He's just angry and upset. He'll come through, you'll see."
TIFFANY'S POV:
Justin and I stood and were walking back to the pub when Floyd made his way out of the door…
"Can I speak to my sister in private please?" he asked
"As long as you promise not to upset her again…" Justin informed him "I get what you're going through even though you think I don't but there's no need to take it out on her. She's going through it too. Remember that."
I swallowed a lump in my throat as he made his way past Floyd and into the pub and turned to look at Floyd… "What?"
"I'm sorry," he sighed "I'm sorry for what I said in there."
"Are you?" I questioned
He nodded his head… "I am angry at you though. This is meant to be the day you and I bury Mum, but I've not had the support of my sister or the chance to support you because of Justin."
I nodded my head in understanding… "I've leaned on Justin too heavily today, and not thought about you. I'm sorry too."
"Friends?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me
"Friends." I mirrored, pulling him in for a hug "I love you, Floyd."
"I love you too." he replied
What now, I wonder?