Father Bland watched as the coffin was lowered into the ground, the frame squeaking as the box disappeared. Even though his eyes were dry, he felt a great and deep sadness. He knew that he should have faith in the plan of the Almighty, yet he was seeing precious little evidence of that plan here.
Oh Lord, let me forget the sound of the cross falling, he thought, let me forget the sight of Mrs Holloway lying there. No, get a hold of yourself! Think of the family!
The coffin was entirely in the earth now. The priest watched as Bernard Holloway shambled forward, his face tight with grief. Father Bland was not that well acquainted with Bernard, he only knew of him as his wife's wayward sinner of a husband, apparently a meek man but totally without faith. The man looked better in a suit, with his hair combed back away from his receding hairline. Something about grief suits him, the priest thought. Bernard Holloway looked somehow healthy, somehow more alive.
He watched as Bernard took a handful of earth and scattered it into the grave, his face composed but strained, his cheeks red. The husband stood looking down at his wife's coffin for a few moments, then stepped back and looked at the person next to him.
Father Bland felt his brows furrow in disapproval as Hayley Holloway stepped forward to the edge of the grave, at the same time feeling an evil stirring the like of which he had not felt in a long time. He hardly thought it was appropriate attire for the funeral of a parent, most certainly not. His eyes roved over her in outrage.
The eighteen year old was wearing a pair of tall black heels that made it difficult to walk on the grass, accentuating the muscles of her bare legs that went all the way up to the hem of her black dress, well above the knee. The material seemed very thin and the dress very tight, so much so that he fancied he could see the straps of her underwear over her hips. The tight material hugged her thin waist, tucked under her full bosom and stretched over their swell. He could see no straps there, though he could clearly see where her nipples stuck out, just underneath the swelling cleavage exposed in the plunging neckline. Her face was hidden by a black veil hanging from her fashionable black hat, the cascade of bright blonde hair falling out over her shoulder.
The priest tore his eyes away from the proud teenage breasts and admonished himself, horrified at his impurity, forcing himself to look away as the girl took a handful of dirt and leant forward to drop it on her mother's coffin. The Father pulled his eyes over to her father and saw him watching his daughter, his popping eyes looking her over. Poor man, the priest thought, he must be just as horrified at his daughter's choice of clothes.
The end of the ceremony continued, the many mourners moving past the grave, saying their prayers, many crossing themselves, many tear streaked faces. As the group started moving towards the gates, Father Bland moved over to where Bernard stood.
"My condolences again, Bernard," He said quietly. "I'm so honoured you asked me to do the service. Freda was a dear soul, such a friend to the Church."
"Yes, she was," Bernard said simply. "She really was."
"You know, Bernard, Freda always looked to Jesus in times of hardship," He continued. "I hope you can find some help there too."
"Hmmm."
"My door is always open to you, Bernard," The priest said, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "If there's anything I can do, for you or Hayley, just let me know."
"I will, I will." Bernard said.
"You seem to be holding up very well, Bernard."
"Yes," Freda's husband smiled. "As long as I have Hayley, I'll hold up fine."
***
Hayley sat in the car, her veil lifted away from her face, looking up at the big tree that the car was parked under in the furthest corner of the cemetery carpark. Her eyes felt hot even though she had stopped crying. The rest of her felt rather cold, it was not a warm day and the graveyard was windy. Her father had bought her a new dress, had advised her on how to wear it, only a thin little pair of panties and no bra underneath. The dress was tight and thin and not very warm.
"Are you okay now, honey?" Her father asked from the driver's seat. She looked at the friendly face she loved so much, so precious now. The thought of his precarious health made her shiver with fear.
"Oh, Daddy," She gushed. "It's just so sad. I just feel so ... sad."
"Me too, honey," He said kindly. "Me too."
"I miss Mummy already."
"I miss her too, honey. We've got to look after each other now, okay?"
"Yes, Daddy, of course, of course I'll look after you."
"I know you will, honey," He said, smiling at her. "You always do."
"Should we go to the, um, the wake, Daddy?"
"In a minute, honey," Her father said. "I thought we should have a talk first."
"Okay. What about?"
"Well, I don't want to shock you, honey, but I think you should leave school. I don't think it's best for us as a family, right now."
"Oh," She said, surprised. "Oh, I guess so. If you think so, Daddy."
"I think you should come and work for me instead."
"Oh!" Her face lit up. "Oh, okay! I'd like that."
"You'll do a very good job, honey," He smiled. "Daddy has a lot of new work now. I could really use a little helper."
"I'd love to do that, Daddy. Oh that would be great."
"I knew I could count on you," Her father patted her shoulder, his hand brushing her chest as he took it away. "You're such a good girl."
"I wish Mummy was here," Hayley said quietly. "She'd be so happy."
"Hmmm, yes," Her father said. "Y'know, honey, I think I can make you feel a bit better."
"I'm alright, Daddy. It's just sad."
"I know, honey, but I want to help you. Here, a bit of, um, massage will be good for your mind."
Hayley watched as her father reached out towards her, looking down at her chest. She gasped when his hands closed on her breasts, grasping across her awkwardly, the position bad in the car. The filmy dress had made her nipples very sensitive and his touch made them buzz unexpectedly.
"Oh honey," Her father breathed as her clutched her. "Such a good girl."
"It feels funny." She giggled, tickled by his fingers.
He was rubbing her chest all over, the sensation not unpleasant. She realised it was making her feel a bit better after all. Her father's hands gave her nipples gentle squeezes, then squeezed and jiggled her breasts. His hands slid underneath them, joggling them from beneath.