by Philip Henry
The empty coffin was lowered into the grave and Sarah burst into tears. Tom held her tightly, trying his best to be the strong one.
Dave stood at a tree by himself, watching, looking uncharacteristically solemn. They’d all have to go through this again tomorrow at Dave’s funeral. Dave had a wife too. Someone else left crying. If Chloe could’ve traded places with any of the dead she would have.
Chloe joined the queue of mourners. They moved slowly as each shook Hal’s mother’s hand and whispered a few comforting words. Hal’s mother and Sarah had hugged. Chloe wondered how much she knew. Did she know the bad stuff? Did it matter? When it came down to it, he’d done the right thing. For love. Unrequited love, but love all the same.
The queue edged closer. Chloe never knew what to say at this sort of thing. ‘Sorry for your trouble,’ was a common phrase in these parts. She might just stick with that.
She looked forward to living near Lynda and Frank and the kids. She loved those children like they were her own. And now she could relax because they could finally grow up in a world without vampires. Of course there were all manner of other atrocities out there that mankind was capable of, but she wouldn’t think about that now. This was a new start. A new dawn.
Hal’s mother looked like wafer-thin white porcelain. Chloe feared if she shook the woman’s hand she would break. She was staring straight ahead and when people spoke she didn’t answer. Chloe shook her hand gently and said, ‘I’m very sorry.’
Hal’s mum held onto her hand. The woman’s eyes refocused on Chloe. ‘It’s Chloe. Chloe Knight, isn’t it?’
Chloe nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘I always wanted to thank you.’
‘Thank me? What for?’ Chloe asked.
Hal’s mum actually smiled. ‘You probably don’t remember. About twenty years ago a vampire pushed my baby out into the street, into traffic, and you saved him.’
Tears started running down Chloe’s face. ‘Oh my god, that was…’
‘Little Hal. Yes. Without you, I’d never have had the time I did with him. And without you…’ She looked around at the thousands of mourners. ‘Who knows what would have happened.’ The woman broke into fresh tears and hugged Chloe.
Chloe walked away from the graveside crying, but also smiling.
Afterword
I’d like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement over the years. When I first started writing Vampire Dawn I had no idea it would become a trilogy, but I’m really glad it did as it gave me the chance to tell this epic tale.
Although I have taken liberties with history in this book, much of what I have written is true. The builders, architect and financer of Mussenden Temple are as I have stated, it’s only their reasons for building it that I have embellished. The story of how Fairhead got its name is true, according to the legend, up to the point where Taisie falls to her death. Both Fairhead and Mussenden Temple are actual locations on the North Coast, and I urge you to see them whether you are a local or a visitor to these shores.
Thanks to all the readers who have followed me on this journey and spread the word about these books. I hope you’ll follow me on whatever dark avenue my imagination takes me down next.
You keep reading, I’ll keep writing.
P.H. 08/09/09
