Writing Books – My Extract

It has been a while since I shared any snippets of my work and so today I felt like including a fresh one for you to peruse. My blog celebrates books and is also a place for me to occasionally include my own writing. This sample is from my novella, ‘The Fathers, the Sons and the Anxious Ghost.’

When we got there, the funeral car was already driving into the car park and I could see a waiting crowd just outside the door of this historic church. Only slightly delayed after picking up Mrs Bellamy from town, we straightened ourselves out and Sam clutched firmly to my hand as we made our way over to the entrance. We could see Matt sat with his wife and son about halfway down the packed-out hall. Mrs Bellamy had to be close to the front because she was giving a speech. She had asked us to come with her as they had apparently saved us some seats. It was uncomfortable to see Alex stood right in front of me, chatting to the vicar, probably finalising the running order. He looked calm but shattered, pretty much a fragment of his former self.

 

Sam was directly behind Alfie and when they spotted each other, Alfie extended his hand and shook it, thanking him for coming. It was good to see that they had no hard feelings after the assembly debacle. Usually with boys, any tiffs were soon forgotten and in this case the situation seemed to bring them closer together. I knew that Sam had been keeping in touch with both Alfie and Max on a daily basis.

 

Before long, the tension increased and the voices lowered. A sad organ sound emitted music that was heart-wrenching and immediately brought tears to my eyes. Sam lowered his head in grief and I could see him touch Alfie on the shoulder tenderly to remind him that he was there for him. My heart broke as I saw Alex return carrying the coffin, with Michelle’s brother the other side and her father following on at the back. What a horrible thing for anyone to have to deal with, burying his own flesh and blood. Glancing over my shoulder I could tell that Max wasn’t handling it very well and he was being comforted by a very sombre looking Matt, shaved of all of his usual hotness, dissolved into a humble guy, respectfully commemorating the life of a family friend. I felt even more admiration for him at this most inappropriate of moments. I turned back and gave Sam a close hug and then we started to sing the first hymn.

 

I could hear Max crying now quite loudly, even as Alfie stayed calm and seemed to be internalising his pain. Footsteps told me that Max had run off and Sam flew past me to go and find him. Following on, I was soon stood in a windy graveyard with my boy leaning over his friend, trying to console him. Behind me a voice reached out to me. We were enough of a distance away from the boys so as not to be heard.

Thank you for checking out my sample. I hope that it intrigued some of you to consider reading the whole book. Either way, I have plenty of articles related to writing and reading on my blog. For example, Being Watched – My upcoming Novel.