With almost perfect choreography, they fell into step behind the car, not crying, not wailing, but leaking their sadness and wiping at eyes that in recent days might have wondered if this was their new permanent state: releasing tears and swelling in response. Heather was strangely silent, walking like a drunk and being held up by those who loved her.

As they started the slow procession, accompanying Ben on his final trip through the place he loved, a sound so mournful and beautiful cracked open the stillness. It was the voice of a male choir, lined up on the terrace of the pub and all with eyes closed and faces turned towards the heavens, singing ‘I Am Sailing’ – loudly, proudly and beautifully, their deep voices carrying the words higher and higher all the way up to Heaven and out over the sea. There wasn’t a soul present who could fail to be moved by the soulful melody, sung in perfect time.

‘Did you do this, Jarv?’ Heather asked, looking from her son-in-law to the men singing them along their passage.

Jarvis nodded through his tears.

‘I thought he’d like it,’ he managed.

‘Oh, Jarv.’ She smiled at him with a hint of life behind her eyes that had been missing for days. ‘He’d bloody love it.’

And so they walked together, with the song falling and rising around them, carrying them forward like the tide itself.

‘Where are you going, Merry?’

‘Just for a walk on the beach. I want to get the last of the light.’ She grabbed her dad’s old yellow oilskin jacket and popped it on, letting the sleeves hang over her hands and liking the scent of him that lingered on it still.

‘How are you feeling?’ her mum asked softly, her expression tortured, her eyes tired.

‘Glad today’s nearly over. I’m sad, Mum, a bit numb. I don’t really know how to feel.’

Heather nodded, suggesting it was the same for her.

‘I’m going to close my eyes in the chair for a minute or two. I know it’s early, but I’m done.’ Her mum bit her lip and wiped her face with trembling fingers.

‘I shan’t be long,’ she said over her shoulder as she quietly closed the cottage door behind her.