Sara's Secret

By Elizabeth J Loveridge

Sara was a loving wife and mother tragically killed by a hit and run driver. She has a dark secret that has almost gone with her to the grave. But, her family are now wondering, who are all the men at her funeral? How did they know Sara? What has Sara done? Who was Sara?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Nov 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479724833

Elizabeth J Loveridge

Elizabeth J Loveridge lives in the West Midlands with her husband Mark and there two dogs. Julie decided to take a year off work to write her novel ‘Sara’, at the same time project managed her house build and had a knee replacement. Julie a former Customer Service Advisor lives and breathes books. Her one shared passion with 'Sara's her love of travelling.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Goodbye Sara

The church was full to capacity, I honestly never knew that Sara had so many friends or should I say acquaintances’. Where did all the men come from? I mean after all, she has been married for twenty years. Surely they are not all family and friends. I’m sat on the second row of pews trying not to stare but something is just not right. John looks bewildered. He keeps looking at me as if I know something he doesn’t. Please all stand the vicar’s voice interrupts my thoughts. Please turn to hymn 276 in your red books. I am asking myself how you can be expected to sing when your throat feels like it has a plum stuck in it and your eyes are blurred from the tears. My eyes can barely focus on the people in here let alone on the small words from the hymn book. The only benefit I can feel is at least the singing is drowning out the noise of sobs and snuffling. I look around and whilst my mind detaches itself from the situation, I notice for the first time how beautiful the stained glass is. Some of the striking colours catching on the sun, it is shining through them reflecting colourful fragments of light onto the white alter cloth creating a beautiful rainbow of colours. I read somewhere near the entrance that the church was built in the 1840’s. I have no idea why my brain retained that small piece of information.

Sara’s parent’s Sandra and Harry have been like a rock to everyone. From the second row I can see them standing firm and solid. They seem to be keeping us all from breaking down. For encouragement we only need to glance at them and the smile they give if like a supporting hug. I don’t understand how they can be so strong when we are all ready to crumble. I have always admired them, as parents no one could have wished for better.

We are asked to sit and at that moment I realise that although the solid oak pews are beautiful with the delicate carvings, they are uncomfortable and my bum starts to feel numb. The vicar talks a little more about the tragedy and the effects on the family and then announces that Abigail has a few words to say to the congregation. Poor Abigail, to lose her mother so abruptly, she has become so withdrawn and her petite figure looks frail and her face drawn. She stands slowly, smoothing her hands down her dress, her tiny size three shoes make a clattering noise as she walks across the cold stone floor. Her pretty face looks up and she casts her eyes about the room. The church is so silent, every face watching her intently. She has no notes, what she has to say comes straight from her heart.

Thank you all for coming today, I know my Mom would be so impressed with the huge turnout. I still can’t believe that she is not coming back, I expect her to walk into the room at any time. No one could have had a better mother than mine. She was so full of energy and life Abigail looks fit to collapse and her voice breaks, so I hurry to her side, John also notices how fragile she looks and hurries to her other side. I tell her she should sit down and gather her thoughts. She tells me she has to finish what she started. She is definitely her mother’s daughter, stubborn, strong and determined. After composing herself she looks out again to the congregation. My mother had time for everyone, if you needed help she would be there. She was at her happiest when she was busy. She was forever sitting on some committee or other. She was always raising funds for some charity. Her energy seemed endless as did her enthusiasm. We will miss her so very much. She was my best friend. Mom I love you. John and I supported Abigail back to her seat, at that moment I realised that the person in front of me was now a woman, not a young girl. I had known her all of her life and felt desperately proud of her. The vicar explained that after the prayer we would follow the coffin to its final resting place.

The coffin bearers lifted the dark mahogany coffin and slowly carried it up the aisle. Watching the coffin with its beautiful white lilies slowly pass me by, I realised that I had to say good bye to my friend. Music suddenly filtered into my ears it was then that my tears fell. Sara had always said that at her funeral she wanted Take That’s, Rule The World. We obviously never ever thought that it would happen so soon. We always thought we had years ahead of us. Some of the older people quietly muttered their disapproval at the choice of song; others who knew her so well, smiled, so appropriate. We slowly followed the coffin and made our way to the grave side to watch as Sara’s coffin was slowly lowered into the ground. The vicar spoke but I don’t think anyone really listened; everyone was too engrossed with their own thoughts. Someone gently touched my arm and passed me a small box containing the dirt; I sprinkled a handful of the dirt down on top of my precious Sara. Abigail stepped forward and held the white rose that she had been clutching to her lips, she kissed it and quietly said I love you mom. It was heart breaking to watch her. Slowly the congregation walked back towards the church yard.

It’s so cold out here, I thought as were all gathering around making small talk. I really want to know what’s going on. I am trying to muster up enough courage to go up to one of the men and ask who he is and how he knew Sara. Ok, I have decided I am going to ask, I have to. There is one man just opposite me, quite tall I would estimate about six foot three, wavy dark brown hair, quite good looking. He has a very faraway look in his eyes. As I approach him he gives me a warm smile and says hello. Then he really surprises me by saying You must be Jenny. I am so taken aback. He can see the puzzled look in my eyes. It’s ok, he says smiling Sara told me all about you.

His name he tells me is Rob, he then asks me to go for a coffee saying we have a lot to talk about. I agree, partly because I am so curious. My imagination is running riot. I can’t wait to find out how he knew Sara. She was my best friend for twenty years. What secrets did she hide from me? How did she manage to conceal anything from me? I thought we told each other everything. Rob gently guides me by the elbow to a quiet corner of the church yard. He gives me a business card and asks me to call him to arrange our coffee. I want to ask him so many questions. But now is just not the right time