Simon sat nervously waiting for the hearse to arrive. He was dressed in a black suit with a solemn black tie. Kelly his ever shadow, ready to help and guide, sat next to him. "It will be here soon," she said as Simon checked his watch again.

The room was mostly bare, like the rest of the house. The Salvation Army had just been to collect the beds and the biggest thing left was the settee, which the estate agent would oversee the collection of tomorrow.

"I know," he replied, pulling his shirtsleeve over his watch. "I just want to get today over with."

"I think it was a great idea getting your parents bosses to do readings at the funeral," she said trying to distract Simon from looking at his watch again.

"I don't think I would have been able to cope," Simon agreed. "Not after how I reacted when the vicar came."

The sound of a vehicle pulling up made Simon jump up and look out of the windows. There were three cars waiting outside, two hearses and a black limousine.

"Why is there a third car?" Simon asked Kelly.

"You don't ride in the hearse," Kelly replied trying not to smile on this solemn day.

The doorbell rang and Simon ushered in the head undertaker. He spent a few minutes updating them on what would happen. Simon opened the front door and after putting on his jacket stepped out into the warm spring day. The cheerful flowering daffodils in the garden, a sign of rebirth, fluttered gently in the breeze as Simon and Kelly walked towards the awaiting car.

When the car drew up outside the church Simon and Kelly waited as a team of men began to unload the two coffins.

"Kelly," said Simon. "Would it be possible for you to go into church now, ahead of the coffins, leaving me to walk behind them on my own?"

"If that is what you want," replied a concerned Kelly. "Will you be okay?"

"I'd love to have you with me," replied Simon, "but I want it to be a sign that I'm the last of the family left. Would you still sit with me in the front pew? I think I will need your support."

"Okay," confirmed Kelly. After making sure he was okay entered the church, leaving Simon alone.

The coffins were hoisted onto the shoulders of the pallbearers and they made their way slowly down the gravel path towards the church. Simon walked slowly behind keeping in pace with the coffins. His glare fully focused on the moving wood ahead.

Through the entrance to the church they went, the crunch of the gravel replaced by the slight thud of rubber against concrete as the procession neared its end. Ahead, in the aisle between the choir stalls were two stands awaiting the arrival of the coffins. The gentle murmur of the congregation fell silent and the sound of people standing as the first coffin appeared.

"We receive the body of our brother Christopher Turner and our sister Helen Turner with confidence in God, the giver of life, who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead," said Allan Roberts from the back of the church.

"I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die," quoted Allan from John.

Through the church the coffins made their way forward. Step by step they neared their stands. Simon, as he went through the church door, saw for the first time a nearly full church. People from the factory where Dad used to work were in the right-hand pew. On the left pew, it was full of children with their parents from the school in the neighbouring town, where Mum was an English teacher.

"How did they know?" thought Simon to himself as he walked down the aisle, the coffins nearing the end of their journey. "All these people were here to say farewell to his parents."

As the first coffin was put onto its stand the procession came to a halt. Simon looked around and saw many friends from the area where he lived. Sitting at the back were the rescuers that had pulled him and his parents out of the rubble. It was all too much and the tears started flowing. As the first coffin was placed with care onto its plinth, the second coffin made its way forward. At last, Simon was able to stand by the front pew, out of the direct gaze of the majority of the congregation.

Kelly, who was waiting, didn't say a thing but gently squeezed his hand to let him know that she was there. She silently passed him a linen hanky which he gratefully took.

The readings and hymns settled Simon down. The service had gone exactly as he'd discussed with the vicar. Kelly had been a wonderful support to Simon through the discussions, often comforting him when the pain of discussing his parents final arrangements.

After the readings the Vicar asked the congregation, "Would anyone else like to say some words about the deceased?"

There was silence for a few seconds and suddenly a girl from where Mum used to teach rose and walked towards the front. There was an astonished gasp from the other schoolchildren and one of the teachers made a slight attempt to stop her. The girl, however, was adamant that she wanted to say something. She wasn't with her parents but had come to the funeral on her own.

"Mrs Turner was my form tutor," stated Nicola in her ill-fitting uniform. "I had a bad reputation at school and I was the one most looked for when something bad happened. Mrs Turner didn't do that. She was always fair. She helped me when I was repeatedly late for school by giving me a small alarm clock. I used to be often late for school I am now always on time. Through her encouragement and support I have started to become a better person. I will miss Mrs Turner. She didn't just help me she helped a lot of people in school."

Nicola paused and looked at the people from her school and then scurried back to her seat. The girl that once had ruled the school through fear was now reduced to tears.

A smartly dressed boy wearing a crisp uniform got up and walked to the front. "Mrs Turner saved my life. I was confused about a lot of things. Mrs Turner spent time talking to me and helping me realise I wasn't a freak. Without Mrs Turner I would not be here."

That admission caused a slight stir among his school chums. What on earth was he talking about? The murmuring soon died down as the next person came forward. It was like the whole congregation wanted to say something about Simon's parents.

Simon just sat there tears flooding down his face as child after child came forward telling their words from their heart about his Mum. When the children dried up somebody from where his Dad worked came forward. These were more salient memories; less emotional but none the less affected Simon just as much. The half an hour church service turned into an hour and a half.

"Our eyes, Lord, are wasted with grief;
you know we are weary with groaning.
As we remember our death
in the dark emptiness of the night,
have mercy on us and heal us;
forgive us and take away our fear
through the dying and rising of Jesus your Son"

After the Lords Prayer and a blessing, the church service was over. Simon followed the coffin out of the church feeling numb after such a long service. Again, Kelly let Simon follow the coffins by himself.

Simon however didn't follow the coffins to the hearse. He stayed just inside the church, to say thank you to many people who wouldn't go to the burial. Kelly hovered nearby making sure Simon was okay but not getting in his way.

When the congregation had filtered out Simon and Kelly walked to the awaiting funeral car for the four mile journey to the cemetery.

"How are you coping?" Kelly asked Simon as the car pulled away from the church.

"I'll be glad when today is over," replied Simon. "I'm not looking forward to the burial."

"You don't have to be there," Kelly responded, trying to judge Simon's current emotional stability.

Simon paused for a moment and then responded vehemently, "Oh yes I do. I'm not going to have gone through all the arrangements and not end up saying a final farewell."

Kelly was still concerned about Simon being so tense and decided to try to lighten him up with a story from her past, "At least we have a driver who knows where to go," Kelly said. "When I was younger I lost my Grandmother. Hers was a cremation in a town I wasn't familiar with. After the church service a line of cars followed the hearse to the crematorium. I was driving the last car and had my brother in with me. We stopped at a red light when all the other cars had gone through. We drove for about an hour looking for the crematorium. We never found it."

Simon looked incredulously at Kelly, "You can't be serious?" he asked.

"Very much so. My brother didn't speak to me for weeks."

Simon just stared at Kelly in shock that something like that could happen. He was still picturing the situation in his mind as the car swept through the large iron gates into the grounds of the cemetery.

The coffins were unloaded and reverently carried to the freshly dug grave. This grave was double the standard width. Simon's parents were to be buried next to each other; together in life and together in death. On the far side of the grave was a mound of dirt to refill the grave. On either side was a green mat for the coffins to sit on.

As they waited for the vicar to arrive, Simon started to remember the build-up to the fateful day.

I'd got home from school and said a passionate goodbye to Kirsty. As per usual I was the first one home. My mother would be home in about and hour. My father would be back in about two hours. I'd just settled down to do my homework when the phone rang. The phone never went at this time.

"Oh, Simon," wailed a distraught Kirsty. "Dad just told me he has a new job and we've got to move."

"Where are you going?" I replied getting upset. I'd grown up with Kirsty and been friends with her for years. Only recently had that relationship bloomed into a more romantic variety.

"I don't know," she sobbed. "Dad hasn't said. We go in a few months."

"I'm on my way," I promised. For the first time I abandoned my homework and after writing a quick note to Mum headed of to see Kirsty.

Two minutes later I arrived at Kirsty's house.

"She's in her room," said Kirsty's Mum letting me in. "Just keep the door open."

In spite of my sadness I still gave a weak smile. Until our romance blossomed Kirsty's mother never used to worry about us being alone.

At eight Kirsty's Mum sent me home as she said they had something to discuss. I still hadn't learnt where they were moving to. All I'd learnt was they were probably moving just before Easter.

I got home to find my parents waiting for me. I took a deep breath and tried to clear the emotions from my mind. I didn't want to seem upset in front of my parents.

"Are you okay, son?" asked Mum coming to me as I walked into the lounge.

"No," I responded. I hadn't wanted to discuss this with my parents. "I wanted to spend more time with Kirsty, but you asked me to come home."

"Yes," Dad replied. "We had some news for you ourselves."

"Oh?" I queried

"Yes, we're going on holiday over Easter," replied Mum.

"Really?" I responded. We hadn't been on holiday for a few years. Dad got a big promotion last year which now made it possible.

"How does Disneyworld sound?"

"Is that the one in California?" I asked starting to get excited.

"No, it's the one in Florida."

I grinned like a bad beast for a few seconds when today suddenly crashed back around me. "But that's when Kirsty leaves."

Mum looked quickly at Dad who said, "We thought it might be best so that you don't get too upset."

Simon's reflection on his time with his parents ended when the Funerals Directors mobile phone broke the stillness. The Vicar had suffered a puncture during the journey so the Funeral Director drove off to rescue him. Kelly steered Simon to a nearby bench where he continued to reflect on the day his life changed forever

"No, that's not right," said Dad as we went speeding down the dual carriageway again. We had darted between the north and south terminal several times looking for the road to the long term car park.

"Turn left here," said Mum suddenly as she scrutinised the map. Dad was just about to go past when Mum made the sudden announcement and we went at speed off the dual carriageway.

"Not so fast," I complained as I got flung to the right. Kirsty had told me to enjoy the holiday and not let her departure spoil it. We would soon be back in contact.

All this banter was done in good fun. We had got up at two in the morning and we'd all had a grin on since then. Today was the happiest I'd ever been and it looked like my parents had lost 20 years. They bounced around the house like they were little children themselves.

We eventually found the car park. Dad pulled into a parking spot, he and I pulled out the luggage while Mum went to book the car in. Yes, there might have been clothes for a fortnight but since they were mostly shorts and t-shirts, we only had two suitcases.

Mum came back with two men. The first would go and park the car in the secure parking area. The second was the courtesy bus driver. Since it was only half five we were the only passengers. Our plane wasn't for a long time but my parents wanted me to experience the excitement at the airport.

When we got to the check-in desk we were the only ones there. We waited for ten minutes for the desk to open. We were the first to check-in so we got to choose the seats that we wanted. The flight was going to be very busy so we were glad we got seats towards the front of the aeroplane. We would be able to get off quickly at the other end without the usual crush of people.

"Lets go and get breakfast," said Dad as our suitcases disappeared. I hope that they find there way to our plane. I wouldn't want to spend the first few days of my holiday shopping.

We went up the escalators and it was like a small town. Shops, restaurants and even a pub begged for our attention. We chose to have a full English breakfast in a small restaurant. The side of the restaurant had huge windows that allowed us to look at the activity outside. Ground staff were scuttling around and we even saw a plane land.

After eating, we all linked arms went through the security checks and were able to go airside. As we sat waiting for our flight to be assigned a gate, we gazed at the aeroplanes landing. The morning dusk started to give-way as the first glimpse of sunshine filtered over the horizon.

"Look Mum," I said excitedly pointing to the departure screen. "Our flight has just changed to "Proceed to gate 65".

"Okay," she said giggling. "Let's go and find the gate."

If I'd been younger I'm sure I'd have skipped along. I was so excited about the trip. At the gate there wasn't much. There appeared to be a small coffee outlet but was closed at this time of the morning.

I saw the men working hard preparing for the arrival of a plane. So after getting permission I wandered over to gate 69 where it was to dock. The plane approached, the still low sun glistening against its paintwork.

"Simon," I heard my Mum shout as the plane approached too fast to stop in the remaining distance.

Mum started running towards me. My father who was further away didn't see what was happening and was startled to hear my Mums alarming call. As Mum came closer I saw my father start walking briskly to see what the commotion was about.

The plane inched forward like an unforgiving monster, ready to devour its prey. The sound of the plane ripping the terminal building forever embedded into my mind.

As the plane hit the building, my father broke into a run to try to reach me and Mum. My unfit father never made it to me. Mum was very close but she wasn't close enough to touch.

The look on my parents face as they came towards me as the roof of the building collapsed was horrific. The look of agony as the material started to rain down followed by the look of horror as we saw each other disappear from view. The final agonising scream of "SIMON!" from my Mum, as she disappeared forever from my view, was forever sealed into my heart.

Kelly grabbed hold of Simon as his scream echoed around the gravestones. Simon's reflection abruptly ended as he remembered the building collapse.

Eventually the vicar arrived and he conducted a short ceremony on the side of the grave. The wind ruffled Kelly's hair as the service progressed. Eventually his father's coffin was lowered as the following was said:

We have entrusted Christopher Turner to God's mercy,
and we now commit his mortal remains to the ground:
earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust:
in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who will transform our frail bodies
that they may be conformed to his glorious body,
who died, was buried, and rose again for us.
To him be glory for ever.

It was then time to say goodbye to Simon's Mum as her coffin was lowered next to her loving husbands:

We have entrusted Helen Turner to God's mercy,
and we now commit her mortal remains to the ground:
earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust:
in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who will transform our frail bodies
that they may be conformed to his glorious body,
who died, was buried, and rose again for us.
To him be glory for ever.

Simon picked up a handful of dirt and threw it into the grave over his mother's casket. He then repeated the symbol over his fathers. Simon was doing his best to hold in the tears

When the burial service was over the vicar and the workers from the funeral parlour departed. Simon was alone with Kelly at the graveside.

"Good bye Mum and Dad," Simon uttered as silent tears streamed down his face. "I'll try to be a good child. I might not look like you expected me to, but I promise to never give up hope. I'll always remember how you brought me up and hope I live up to your expectations."

When he was finished, Kelly wrapped her arms around Simon and led him back to the awaiting car. As they moved off, the gravediggers, who had been watching in the distance, moved in to close up the grave.