28 - No Such Thing As A Happy Ending

                                    

                                          
The sun was just beginning to rise over the idyllic countryside town of Spalding as Harriet walked the familiar cobbled stone path. The trees were swaying slightly and the birds were singing their morning song. Dew had soaked the grass and as Harriet took a right turn onto the field it soaked through her canvas shoes.
                          
She gripped the bouquet of summer flowers in her sweaty palm as she neared her destination. She looked around the field, seeing that she was all alone. She counted the large stone gravestones as she walked, finally ending on number 24 on the third row. She knelt down next to the headstone, ignoring the wet patches that grew on her knees. She placed the bunch of flowers down at her side and fiddled with her fingers.
                          
"Hi." She whispered, trying not to let the tears take over. She sniffed and shook her head, internally kicking herself for being so emotional still. She turned her attention to the dying flowers placed in the gravestones holder, which she gently removed and replaced with fresh ones. 
                          
Harriet had come to visit every week since the whole anonymous case had been closed. She felt like she finally had some relief once it was all over. She had sat here, night after night just talking, as if there was someone sat right next to her. Over the weeks she had started to let go and let off a little, and only now came once a week, before her shift on a Monday.
                          
"I hope you're alright up there. I thought I should come visit before work today, considering that it's such an important day." Harriet mumbled. She didn't like to appear insane but talking had really helped her move past the last few months in her life. Even though they were gone, and weren't coming back, Harriet used this as her release.
                          
"Dan's been promoted. He now works in the homicide department as a senior detective. He has to do a lot of office hours, but he enjoys the thrill of finishing a case. He told me to send his love. Dan's actually been really helpful just lately. He even offered to take me out for a celebratory dinner tonight." Harriet smiled at the thought. Officer, now Detective Smith, had blushed as red as a tomato as he tried to spit the words out. 
                          
"I think he's lovely. He's the only person who hasn't changed since the anonymous case. Zara still has her scar as a reminder but she isn't as brave anymore, she's so withdrawn. She's been offered counselling but turned it down, as most of us did. I guess we all just find our own ways to cope."
                          
Tears started to fall down Harriet's cheeks as she ran her fingers across the engraved lettering on the head stone.
                          
JASON BERETON MURRAY
                          
1988 – 2015
                          
A BELOVED SON, FRIEND AND PARTNER. THE HEAVENS HAVE GAINED AN ANGEL, AND THE EARTH HAS A NEW STAR. RIP. NEVER FORGOTTEN.
                          
"I really miss you Jason." She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. "I wish you could just come home."
                          
The sudden feel of a heavy hand on her shoulder made Harriet jump right out of her skin. She whipped her head round to be faced with a smiling Dan. He wrapped an arm protectively around Harriet's shoulders, never uttering a word. She had been so distracted by talking to Jason that she hadn't heard him come over.
                          
"How long have you been here?"
                          
"Long enough." He replied. "Are you okay?"
                          
Harriet snuggled into Dan's hold. "I am now, thank you. How did you know I would be here?"
                          
"A lucky guess. It's an important day for you; I thought you might want to talk to him before you go."
                          
Harriet didn't feel the need to say any more. She sat, cuddled up to Dan, thinking about her recent experience. She had felt love, pain and absolute heartbreak. She had witnessed death, torture and pure evil. Yes, she had been through all of those things, but she had made it out the other side and Jason would want her to know how strong she really is. The two sat together in complete blissful silence as the sun awoke the rest of the town.