The End, Before The End
Posted on Sat Jun 7th, 2025 @ 11:48am by Albert 'Bert' Smith
571 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
Before
Location: London
Timeline: 7th July, 2005 - 1030 Hours
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Bert slowly reached for his phone which was noisily vibrating on the bedside table. He had no idea of the time but knew it was day time as the sun streamed in through a gap in the curtains.
He answered the call without looking at who it was. “Hello?” He said wearily as he rubbed his sleepy right eye.
“Please tell me Liz isn’t feeling well and is still at home!” came a panicked voice.
“What?” Bert replied, still not fully awake. He glanced around the bedroom and couldn’t see his wife. He glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s half 10, she’s at work.” He finally realised it was Janet at Liz’s office.
”You don’t know, do you? Christ! Can you put the news on?” Janet said, urgency in her voice.
“What the fucks going on?” He asked in a grumpy tone as he reached from the TV remote for the bedroom TV and switched it on.
”There's been a terrorist attack on the underground. Liz texted me at 8.47 telling me she was almost at Edgware Road station. The bomb went off at 8.50. I can’t get hold of her, I’m worried sick.” Janet explained.
A wave of nausea washed over Bert as he listened to Janet and watched the news showing the carnage at the bombing sites. He hung up on Janet and tried to ring Liz.
”Welcome to the Vodafone voice mail for 075…" Bert hung up as a tear rolled down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away before redialling.
”Welcome to the Vodafone voice m...”
“Come on, Liz. Pick up the fucking phone.” He said to himself as he tried again.
”Welcome to the Vodafo...”
“Come on!”
”Welcome to th...”
“Please Liz, pick up.” He said as tears began to roll down his cheeks.
”Welcome t...”
”Welcome...”
”Welco...”
”Wel...”
”W...”
Bert let the phone bring to the floor before falling to his knees.
Four weeks had passed since that fateful day. Time seemed to stop for Bert. Thankfully, his wife's family had picked up the pieces and had arranged everything.
Although they didn't have a body to bury, they still felt a funeral was the best way to get over the grieving process. After her death was confirmed, by CCTV of her being on the tube train just before the explosion, a death certificate was finally issued meaning they would be able to start the process of wrapping Liz's life up.
Now, Bert simply sat in the church after the service and stared at the altar. It was the same church they had married in years before. All he could see was her standing there with her dad. She looked stunning that day and he would never forget it.
He slowly reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a half drunk bottle of Teachers Whiskey. He unscrewed the cap and slowly lifted it in the air.
"Here's to you, my love. God I miss you and our baby so much." He said as a tear rolled down his cheek before bringing the bottle to his lips and taking a large swig of the whiskey. "I can't fucking stand you god for taking them away from me!" He slurred.
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