Gangsters

Part twenty three

The day of Dionico's funeral was bright and sunny in total contrast to the mood of the mourners. Craig stayed close to Sissy the entire time. As the pallbearers lowered the coffin into the ground Craig realised that opposite them was Dionico's other woman. He glanced down at Sissy and then at Rey. Rey looked at him quizzically and Craig jerked his head discreetly in the direction of the other woman. Rey looked across and his jaw dropped. Rey murmured in Linzi's ear. Linzi shrugged and murmured back. Rey moved to Craig's other side.

"She doesn't know who it is, but the lady with her is Dionico's sister." He told him.

"What's up?" asked Sissy.

"We where just wondering who that lady was." Said Craig indicating Dionico's sister.

"That's his sister," said Sissy, "He showed me a photo. They didn't see much of each other." Craig frowned. Dionico's sister seemed pretty friendly with his other woman. As the mourners began to disperse he realised, with horror, that Dionico's sister and the woman with her where heading towards him.

"Why don't you go with Linzi." He urged Sissy. She shook her head.

"She's going back with Lissa and Kelley. Their car is full." She said. Dionico's sister had reached him.

"I understand you're the young man who tried to save Dionico's life," She said, "I'm his sister Benedicta." Craig shook her hand.

"I did the best I could." He said wanting desperately to leave.

"You tried though," said the other woman, "My name is Elspeth. I'm...was Dionico's fiancée." Craig felt Sissy stiffen. He tightened his grip around her trying to comfort her.

"I'm sorry." Said Craig, wishing Sissy wasn't here or that Rey was. "We really must go now." Craig hurried Sissy off. Her face was shocked.

"He had a fiancée." She whispered finally.

"Look like it." said Craig feeling awful. Sissy looked at him. Guilt was written all over his face.

"You knew about her!" She accused.

"I didn't know she was his fiancée." Said Craig trying to defend himself.

"But you knew he had another woman," said Sissy angrily. Craig nodded miserably, "How long have you known about her."

"Since Linzi and Billy's wedding." He admitted not meeting her angry gaze. Sissy was so mad she stamped her foot.

"How long where you going to let me make a fool of myself." She demanded.

"I couldn't tell you. I didn't know how to without hurting you. I just hoped..." He shrugged helplessly.

"Hoped what? That I'd bump into her and find out or that someone else would be man enough to tell me?" She flung at him nastily. Craig flushed.

"I hoped that he'd end it or that, if I was nice to you, that you'd want me." He admitted sadly. Sissy stared at him. He seemed so sincere and so sad. Sissy suddenly felt really bad for shouting at him. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you." She said.

"I'm sorry too." He said.

"You don't have to apologies for anything you've done." Sissy told him. Craig grinned at her.

Part twenty four