I glanced across the room as I hear my wife’s laugh rise above the gentle hum of
conversation, she is stood with Karen, Peggy and Libby and the four of them are
cackling over some story of Andy’s misadventures as an awkward university
student in London.

She is happy I can see it total and utter happiness and peace grace her beautiful
face as she stands with her hand draped over her sisters shoulder eyes
glistening at the gentle piss taking of her long time best friend as Peggy
plays the part of doting parent at the same time as learning of a part of
Andy’s life to which she was never privy.

I scan the room again and through my haze of bliss notice a very pale Helena sat
quietly in a corner where someone must have left her when they rolled her
wheelchair in from outside.

I knew that on the whole it was strange for her to be here but we had promised
friendship and aid and support and so I moved across the room and pulled a
chair up beside her

            “Can I get you anything? Are you in pain? I should get Libby and Connor to tend to
you before to many more cocktails are poured”

My sudden appearance and questioning seemed to shock her from the place she was
residing inside her own head as she turned to look at me.

            “I am fine thank you; you have done more than enough do not let me keep you from
your day.”

I shook my head before she could go any further with her statement

            “Helena, you are here because I and my wife believe that you need to be with us at the
moment, and your mother would struggle to let you out of her site also. But
that aside you should know that we meant all we said, and especially Andy. To
her Peggy is the mother she never had and I know in the past maybe that sort of
relationship has been hard for you to accept but just consider that if you all
can just talk and get over it maybe it can be great for you. That means that
you inherit a few pseudo sisters and some damn good friends, a herd of kids
that will eventually call you aunt if you stick around and give it a go. I mean
how can that be bad? Take a look around you. Can being a part of this really be
that bad for you?”