1999

Joseph looked at Chris expectantly. He was sitting on his Auntie Zoe's lap while his daddy rocked back and forth in his wheelchair.

"Joseph," his daddy said finally. "You know Mummy went for a picnic yesterday? With Graham?"

Joseph nodded. "I want to go for a picnic."

"We can, soon, but..." His daddy appeared to be fighting back tears, to Joseph's alarm. "I need to tell you something about Mummy."

"Where is she?" Joseph asked. "Is she taking me home soon?"

"Mummy had an accident," Auntie Zoe interjected. "She fell, while she was out at the picnic. She hurt herself."

"She in hoth-pital?" said Joseph.

"No." His daddy spoke again. "She died, Joseph. Do you know what that means?"

"Like Grandad Frank," said Joseph. "And Uncle Mark?"

"Yes, exactly," said Zoe. "She's gone to be with them."

"She coming back soon?" said Joseph brightly.

"No. She's not coming back." His father's voice broke. "You're going to live here with me now, Joseph."

"And Graham too?" Joseph asked.

"No. But you can still see him whenever you want," Chris said quickly.

"Okay," said Joseph. "Can I go and play with my trains?"

It was only later, when his Mummy didn't come to pick him up for his tea, that he started screaming.

…

2019

Joe stared out over the cliff top. He could hear Rebecca approaching behind him but he didn't turn. She slipped a hand into his.

"Why did you want to come here?" she asked.

"I just thought I should see it," he muttered.

"It's just a cliff, like any other."

"My mum died here. This is where Graham Clark pushed her. They think."

"What's the point of dwelling? Today should be about remembering her."

"I remember when she was missing," said Joe, ignoring this. "My dad wanted to go and look for her, but he couldn't, obviously. He just had to sit and wait until they found her." After a moment he added, "It's right that I should come here."

Rebecca nodded, understanding. They stood in silence, listening to the wind blowing.

"It's a nice place," she said finally. "Peaceful."

"Yeah," he said quietly. "It is now."

"Race you back to the car?" Rebecca said, then winced at her own insensitivity. Joe turned to her and smiled, to her surprise.

"No racing," he said. "Let's walk."