The calm wind blew slowly through my messy hair. I had tried to tidy it for such an occasion, but there would always be the odd patch that would never stay down. The world had felt somewhat colder after it had happened, but I had done my best to push through.

I stared down at the headstone. It read:

Steven Anthony Frederick Santrrer

Born 14 May 1960 Died 4 April 2020

Beloved father, son, brother, uncle, and grandfather. A brave warrior with a kind heart, his memories will not be forgotten as time passes. The world was his stage.

Always waiting. Always.

I gritted my teeth, fighting back tears, as I had had to do several times that day.

‘So,’ Isaac said solemnly, placing a hand on my shoulder, ‘what’s it like being Prime Minister?’

I crouched down and placed a cornflower and a white rose on the grave. I read the inscription for the umpteenth time. I let out a long breath.

‘Hard. Because I know I can never do what he did.’

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‘Don’t be stupid,’ Natasha said, pulling me to my feet and wrapping me in a tight hug. ‘Just try your hardest to get through it.’

‘Yeah, idiot,’ Peter murmured. ‘You did everything you could. Don’t beat yourself up over it.’

I gently pulled myself free from Natasha’s grasp and looked back down at the grave. ‘I’m sorry.’

The wind picked up slightly. The sun brightened and glistened on the headstone beautifully. I bit my lip to stop the tears.

‘Thank you all for coming,’ I murmured. ‘It means a lot.’

‘Did you know he was your grandad the whole time?’ Jay asked slowly, dismissing my gratitude.

‘Yes,’ I replied simply. ‘He asked me not to tell anyone. He was my mom’s dad.’

‘We’re sorry, man,’ Ethan said, putting his hand on my shoulder. ‘He shouldn’t have died.’

‘I know.’

‘Your speech was great, though,’ Asbel tried. ‘It really did show everyone what a man he was.’

‘I could never show anyone what he was,’ I said quietly. ‘You can’t put it into words. Grandad was amazing.’

‘At least Amy’s dead,’ Isaac said carefully. ‘We can rest easy now.’

‘I don’t know if we can,’ I mumbled. ‘I have a feeling that the worst is yet to come. But I know one thing for certain.’

‘What?’ Peter and Natasha said simultaneously.

‘I am going to become the man he was. Even if it takes every piece of my soul. I am going to lead the life that he would have wanted me to live.’

‘Ending the war was a good start,’ Asbel said, half-jokingly.

I put my hand on the headstone, rubbing it gently. ‘Yeah. I hope he rests easy.’

‘He will,’ Natasha replied reassuringly. ‘With a grandson like you, it’s no wonder he found a reason to keep fighting.’

Tears formed in my eyes. I didn’t believe her one bit, but it meant a lot.

‘How did you do it, anyway? You were so fast,’ Ethan asked.

‘I don’t know myself,’ I replied, gazing up at the sky. ‘After all, I’m just a normal kid.’