Lily speaking in English
Lily speaking in Welsh
Others speaking

3rd November 2020
Lily hadn’t seen her family since the start of the school year, and she was starting to miss them quite badly. She knew she wouldn’t see them until the Christmas break, and that was still nearly two months away. But that didn’t stop her missing them.

One afternoon, she was sat on her bed in the girl’s dormitory, when there was a pecking on the window. She was the only one in there, but that might be the reason why it was there. And so she opened it.

It flew in and dropped a letter, wrapped up in ribbon on the edge of her bed. She unravelled it, and read:

Dear Lily,

I am very sorry to say this, but there was an accident at the cafe, and your mother is no longer with us. I was not sure how to tell you this, but you need to come home soon. We’re falling to pieces, and Pansy and Hilda are getting worried something might happen to you next.

I have written to your headmaster, and it is fine if you return home now and stay until February, after your mother’s funeral.

-Dad

Lily wasn’t quite sure what to think. She said “Why? Just why?” Quite a few times to herself, in Welsh of course.

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Lily speaking in English
Lily speaking in Welsh
Others speaking

16th January 2021
It was the day before her birthday, but Lily wasn’t excited, not even a bit. Her mother was dead, and all she had left was a photo of her, not even moving, as it was a muggle photo. She started to cry.

She’d been planning a birthday party for months, but wasn’t in the mood for celebration. All she wanted to do was cry the night away.

But she couldn’t. No matter how hard she wanted to, she couldn’t cry. Not now. She had to stay strong for Pansy and Hilda. And her father. Ultimately, he was in the worst state she’d ever seen him - but could he be blamed, his wife was dead!

She subtly walked downstairs and made some cookies. The cafe had been running on reduced times - an hour a day - so there was barely anybody there. When anyone came and ordered something, she had to try not to cry. There were just too many instances where families would come and order cake. It made her only too sad. When the hour was over, she slowly walked upstairs and cried on her bed. The whole situation was only too depressing for her to even live.

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Lily speaking in English
Lily speaking in Welsh
Others speaking

17th January
It was her birthday, and Lily knew she should be happy. But how could she, with a part missing from her heart. There was nothing that could cheer her up now.

Her party had been cancelled due to the family tragedy. The funeral was going to be in a week, and Lily knew she wouldn’t be able to handle it on the day. She had to go, but really didn’t know any to. Focus on the upsides. Her mother’s voice echoed through her head, with all her little quotes. Lily used to love them.

Trying not to cry, she headed outside for a walk. It wasn’t far, but she went round the block. Opening the door slowly so no one would hear her, she started walking. Cardiff was only too familiar, and she cried many times. There was nothing worse than going through the loss of a family member, abs being reminded of all the memories of them.

Lily missed her mother so much, all she wanted was to have her back, hugging her. Feeling her soft embrace. Oh, how she missed her. Then she went home, and tried her hardest to celebrate her birthday. It was just the worst of times for it.

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Lily speaking in English
Lily speaking in Welsh
Others speaking

24th January 2021
Slowly, Lily put in her only black dress. She was trying her hardest not to cry, but she just couldn’t help it. Today was the funeral. “Come on. Pull it together.” She said to herself quietly. Then, she walked downstairs and to her family. She’d been distancing herself from them since coming home, but today was the saddest day of her life. And soon enough, her two younger siblings, Pansy and Hilda, came and hugged her tightly. Lily could see their eyes were puffy from crying, which just made her want to cry too.

During the funeral, the three of them cried from sadness. None of them really wanted to be there, especially Hilda. I feel so sorry for him, he’s only seven. And he has to go through this. Lily was twelve, and she was struggling to keep it together.

Afterwards, Lily, Pansy and Hilda sat at the table together, trying not to cry. They played a game of monopoly, and Hilda won, as usual. Though, for once, he didn’t seem happy to win. Lily knew it was their mother’s death. It had hit the family so hard, no-one could be happy. Especially on the day of the funeral.

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