Janet got up and walked away from the coffin. Moving slowly past the mourners; some of whom sat on the sofa in quiet contemplation; others standing in small groups making idle chat. She made her way beyond her husband and the two children and out into the hall. Sunlight streamed in through the open doorway at the front of the house.  Janet headed out.

The sun was warm on her as she stepped into the sunlight, it had been a while. As she went down the drive she looked skyward, white clouds dotted the sky, forming ever changing shapes as they glided gently in the light breeze. A vapour trail from a passing plane,

‘Where is that off to?’ she mused.

Birds scouted the field opposite, no doubt looking for some lunch. How she loved the sky, the sun and the activity within it. Janet nodded, smiled and sighed at the sky.

She turned left to make her way into the village, such a wonderful place. Their home for 20 years now. Most people she knew. Everyone spoke, warm kind words. All knew each other’s business. But it was home. No crime, just a butchers, village shop, doctors and pub. As she passed each house she paused to take in the gardens, acknowledging the hard work that had gone into each one.

Mrs Jones cat, Spot (named by her children as it was a tabby), lay by the tree in her front garden, too warm to hunt. How often Janet had stopped to pet and chat with Spot on her way. Today, however, Spot looked at her, his hackles rose and he hissed before running into the house.  Janet shrugged and walked on.

The field opposite was used for livestock. Anything could be found in there. Normally some black headed sheep grazed peacefully among have a dozen free range chickens and the odd duck. She remember one time a peacock decided to move in. It was there for months, strutting regally as though it owned the place. Then one day it was gone, moved to another kingdom. Today it was just the sheep. She leant on the fence watching them. They had not been shorn and must be so hot. In her mind, she gave thanks for the animals.

After a few minutes, Janet continued her journey. There were a few villagers milling about and as they went past her Janet smiled to them each in turn. Curiously, not one of them seemed to notice her. Most unusual, but today she didn’t mind. Each of them was a valued member of the village, and each in some way played a part.

The route took her down to the riverbank. The heat was making her feel tired, so she sat to rest on the bench beside the towpath. Several boats were moored up, bobbing in the water causing little splashes as water hit the bank. A pair of swans paddled by, taking it in turns to dip their heads into the water, getting cool more than fishing. She remembered the times when her husband taught the children to sail and kayak just here. The fondest of memories filled with laughter and pride.

It was time for Janet to head back home. Most of the mourners will have leftand she needed to be back beside her husband and children.  She looked at the cottages, mostly in terraces all painted. White, pink, yellow or pastel blue. Little front gardens all neatly tended and each very different but maintaining the rural theme. A final look in the butcher’s window, pork, chicken and beef, set out in various cuts, neat, trimmed and priced. Yes, this village was the happiest of places and she would truly miss it all.

Janet walked up the driveway taking in the front of the house. The garden was lovely this time of year, everything in full flower, oranges, purples and yellow. Even the iris’ had done well this season. The world is a wonderous place with some much diversity competing for so little resources, but each helping the other out. Standing in the doorway, Janet turned, taking one last look at the view before going back inside.

As expected, the mourners had gone, and Janet slipped quietly into the living room. The only people left were her husband and the children. The all sat together on the sofa arms entwined in a group hug. Her husband looked up, a face of pain, tears silently rolling down his face. She thought she saw him smile at her, just a faint smile, as she crossed the living room. They had done well. 15 years of happy marriage and 2 lovely children. Life for them had been perfect and she hoped they would continue, in time, to look after each other and grow stronger together. Janet smiled and a solitary tear rolled down her face as she turned away.

Janet climbed carefully back into the coffin, lay down and closed her eyes once more.