It’s funny how these things happen. You suddenly lose both parents in an accident and then a few days later you gain a whole bunch of them at the funeral.

The house had many large rooms, connected by archways instead of doors. However, our grandfather hung beaded dividers on our bedroom archways, so that we felt like we had some privacy. Being exactly five years older than Alistair, we were born on the same day, I easily won the fight for the better room. The room was small and had an exposed brick wall, covered by vintage film posters, with movie stars with faded smiles.

Cathy rolled her eyes, glancing at the clock. She wondered how much longer she needed to do this before she could complain to her boss about having to get back home. She lived on the other side of the reserve and it wasn’t a short drive. Especially after this. He winced as she began to scrub his skin with lotion. His name was Jerry. Or Jeremy. Or Jacob.

There is a chair opposite me. Its weathered upholstered seat looks recently sat in. At its feet, embedded in the dark carpet is what appears to be a sprinkle of sand. I get down on my knees and pick up some of the grains in my fingertips. They are course. Is there a beach nearby? Did I go to the beach this morning?

I hadn’t worked at the bar for very long and that night was one of my busiest. The air was thin and customers were shoulder to shoulder but nobody seemed to mind. Somehow, the trio found free seats up at the bar. I was young and impressionable. In all honesty, I really only had two things on my mind.

Heaven is not too bad. The weather is always consistent, the food is excellent and the pillows are fluffy. However, the friend really misses his great former companion and would love to see him and have a chat. It is not encouraged and it takes years to get a pardon to go visit hell.