Monday morning, Tom was in the hospital, he had been delirious, he had been in dreadful pain, he had been sedated and was receiving Morphine. The Consultant couldn't have been nicer; there was nothing that could be done except to relieve any pain and let him die as peacefully as they could. The Consultant reckoned he had a maximum of two days. Tom was in a private room; he was in a deep sleep; his breathing was irregular; he had a jaundiced look; he didn't look right. Jill phoned Tom; she explained everything saying that today may be the last day to say goodbye to his father. She then called Jack; she said, "Jack, I've some awful news, your father hasn't long left, the Consultant says he will be lucky to make it to tomorrow. Can you get a flight home today?"
Jack replied, "Let me contact the airline; if I can't get a flight, I'll hire a car and drive back. Mum, I'll phone you as soon as I know."
"Jack, ask Val to phone me as soon as she can."
Val phoned back a minute later; she said, "What's happening Jill, do you need us home?"
Jill explained what was happening; he realised that her mum was shocked with what she was telling her, then Val said, "Jack has got the flights changed, my car is still at the airport, we'll be at the hospital around two, I hope that we are there in time."
Jill was relieved when she heard this; there was a cafeteria in the hospital; she went for breakfast there when Tom arrived. Tom looked shocked. She took Tom a coffee and one for herself when she went back to the room. They both sat looking at Tom, then Jill said, "I hope that he goes quickly; he is in so much pain, cancer is everywhere. Why didn't he go for a check-up earlier? Tom, nothing will change you will run the business; your father has built a great business; he has built it on quality. I don't know whether Jack will join the business; he wants an accountancy degree. The business is big enough for both of you and any children that you're fortunate enough to have. I have the controlling shareholding; I will back you on everything you want. We must be strong now."
Tom came over and hugged Jill, then said, "Jill, you were the best thing that came in Dad's and my life; we will get through this."
Val and Jack were sitting in Business Class on the flight home; Val said, "Jack, when we get home, support Jill as much as you can; this is a big thing for her; she gave up her career when she had you, she loved your father. Be there for her when you get home. I have loved the time we have had in London. I could have stayed for another week, but that's life,"
"I'll do that. Do you think that she'll want to spend time with you?"
Val replied, "She was very horny on Wednesday night, we both came many times. I won't know until I see her. We don't fuck when we're together; we make love."
Jack answered, "What does mum enjoy?"
Val smiled then said, "She's like me, she is very open-minded, she loves everything that I like, she's very loving and affectionate in bed, she loves long foreplay. Jack, she so similar to me. Hug her when you see her. I hope that we see your father before he goes."
They arrive at the hospital just before two; they were shown into Tom's room, the nurse brought two extra chairs for them. Young Tom was quite tearful; this affected him; he asked if anyone wanted a coffee, everyone did, he went for the coffees. Jill looked composed, but she also looked a little tired. Val hugged her and whispered to her, "Be strong."
Jack hugged his mum, then said, "Mum, I'm here for you; dad has done a lot in his life, sadly it's coming to an end. He will go surrounded by those that love him."
Jack and Val stood in silence beside Tom's bed; they stood with heads bowed for several minutes. They then sat down just before young Tom arrived with the coffee. They chatted; Jill asked, "How was London?"
Val replied, "I did a bit of shopping; Jack's got a lot of Ralph Lauren clothes; I got a couple of beautiful outfits for you and me, Jill, I think Jack is bored to tears with the shopping, but it was a great break."
At seven minutes past three, Val said, "We should call a nurse; I think that he's stopped breathing."
The nurse came; she closed Tom's eyes, then pulled the curtain around his bed. Jill said, "I'll stay to get the arrangements made; you all go home; Tom's at peace now."
Jack said, "I'm staying with you, mum."
Mum hugged Jack then said, "Thank you, I appreciate that."
When the others had left, mum opened the curtains, she raised Tom's hand, which had his wedding ring on his thumb, he had lost so much weight that he'd taken it off his ring finger and put it on his thumb of his ring hand, It was loose on there, mum took it off then put it on her thumb, it was a platinum ring and matched mum's. Then the efficiency of the hospital swung into operation. Dad's body was moved to the mortuary. Mum was given his death certificate. She was also given a list of undertakers. One had a very good name locally, she phoned them, and the owner appeared ten minutes later.
Tom, not a religious man, he wanted to be cremated with a non-religious ceremony. From the undertaker's iPad, everything was done in minutes. Mum chose the coffin; the undertaker suggested the service to be on the fifth of April; mum asked if the fourth was available. There was a space at ten in the morning. Mum took it; both Jack and mum saw the date change's significance; the fifth was their birthday. Mum checked her watch; it was twenty to five; she dialled a number then said, "Good afternoon, this is Jill Grant, may I speak with Peter Bond?"