Glancing at his watch, he noted it was just before ten o’clock, he’d made good time on his journey and the day was turning out to be half decent, the sun already high in the sky. It was warm outside, not as warm as when he climbed on the plane earlier, but still a comfortable temperature. Lifting the handle of his suitcase, he trundled it behind him as he made for the rear entrance and let himself in. Leaving his case in the utility area, he went through the kitchen and dining room, heading for the lounge when his mother intercepted him, rushing forward and throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek.
‘Welcome home,’ she said. ‘Look at you, I’m sure you have grown.’
Tom had filled out while he had been away, most of the jobs he got had been manual work and his body was now toned and bronzed from being outside all the time. Jessica his mother looked just the same to him, albeit he now stood taller than she was. She made them both a drink before going through to the lounge where she told him about the accident. Brian had been helping erect some steelwork in high winds, it should never have happened, but somehow a large girder had come detached and had crashed into him, killing him instantly. She was crying now, Tom wrapping his arms around her as he cuddled her close to him until the tears finally stopped.
He felt sad for her, realizing that it did not have the same impact on himself, he had liked Brian, but he was only his stepfather, his mother had got pregnant at fifteen and his real father had just disappeared. He was five when his mother married Brian, but Tom could never bring himself to call him ‘Dad’. Tom had nothing against him, he had been good to both he and his mother, making sure they had everything they needed, it was just a personal thing he thought. Making sure she was OK, he took his case up to his room, again it was the same as the day he had left it, his mother throwing nothing away in the event, that he would one day require it again. He unpacked his meagre possessions, putting stuff into cupboards and drawers before going back downstairs to be with her. He would need to find himself a job he decided, asking her if they could manage until he found something to help pay the bills.
‘It’s all right for the moment,’ she told him. ‘There is enough money in the accounts for the foreseeable future, but there is going to have to be an inquest and an investigation into what happened and I’ve also been advised to see a solicitor. ‘I’ve been told it will be a while yet before the body is released, so I’m not sure yet when to organize the funeral.’ The words had all come out in a rush.
The tears came again as she felt the weight of it all bearing down on her, and for the second time that day, he held her close and comforted her. Early evening, they had a meal, but she only picked at her food, hardly eating anything while he was ravenous, feeling slightly embarrassed eating his food while she only picked at hers, pushing it around her plate. Tom retired early, he had been awake nearly twenty-four hours and exhaustion was finally catching up with him as he undressed and got into bed naked. He heard his mother come up about thirty minutes later and then must have drifted off because when he next woke, he could hear her sobbing in her room. Rooting through his drawers, he found an old pair of pyjama bottoms and pulled them on before going to her room and tapping on her door. She seemed glad he was there as he slid into bed next to her and pulled her close, holding her tight until she finally drifted off to sleep.