Chương 80: Ch 44a – Memory: Loss

"I'm so sorry for your loss." Mrs Bachman says, her hand patting Cara's arm.

"Such a lovely woman. Such a big heart to care for you and your sister like that after your Mum died. She adored you both. She was so proud of you."

"Thank you," she murmurs for the one hundredth time in the past hour.

"Are you the lawyer one?" Mrs Bachman asks, her painted eyebrows raise hopefully.

"No Mrs Bachman, that's Jenny. I'm the one in HR." she replies politely, wishing that Mrs Bachman would stop patting her arm so she can drink her tepid white wine to dull the stream of condolences. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"HR?" Mrs Bachman puzzles in disappointment as she turns away. Beyond Mrs Bachman's shrinking form, she watches Jenny murmur similar thanks to a white-haired man she doesn't recognise. Jenny leans her head against Alex. He wraps a comforting arm around her shoulder. On his finger his shiny wedding band catches the light of the function room's dusty ceiling bulbs. Cara looks down at her hands, unadorned and empty, save for the glass of wine. She drains the glass as she waits alone for the next mourner to approach.