"Karen boards her flight home."
“Karen?” Pamela tugged gently at my arm. “Are you alright?” I didn't answer. My jaw was clamped tightly closed and all my muscles were tensed, rigid. I stared at the figure of the beautiful woman hanging in the belt of...
"Dreams? Nightmares? Fear!"
My father stayed for just two hours. Not because he didn't want to stay, he did, very much but there was so much happening that it just was not possible to talk together for more than a few minutes. Before...
"Another nightmare?"
The sound of my scream brought nurses running from whatever they were doing. I was staring at the door, terrified of who I could see. Two of the nurses came to my side, speaking gently, trying to calm me but...
"Who upsets Karen?"
After Françoise left, I lay back and relaxed thinking about the past, the future, everything. Having such an in depth conversation with Jemima had made me realise how uncertain life is. “Hey Kiddo!” I almost jumped out of my skin...
"Karen receives a shock"
Very quickly but with great care, the two nurses lifted me gently into the wheel chair, guiding my leg and ensuring it was properly supported. “What is it?” I demanded, “Is she... has she...?” They didn't answered but busied themselves...
"Another visitor!"
“She is out of theatre now, about an hour ago. “Françoise paused and I waited, once again holding my breath. “She was very lucky. Docteur Rousseau worked through the night and I am told that he almost lost her.” “She...
"Bad dreams and bitter memories!"
Suddenly I felt a deep sense of longing and relief at the same time. I looked at Françoise and saw a far away look in her eyes. She was looking at me, at my sex but not seeming to be...
"Who has come for Karen?"
“I had to see you. I couldn't bear to think of you being here alone.” Jemima came and sat on the chair beside my bed, wincing with pain as she lowered herself into it and breathed out a sigh of...
"Was it all just a dream?"
From within the huddle of people I began to hear shouts but they were vague and distant. The chattering of my teeth seemed to drown out most of the other sounds around me. Jemima's voice seemed to cut through it...
"Happy Birthday, Anna?"
“Good morning, Anna.” Her voice seemed inside my head as I gently awoke from a dreamless sleep. It seemed ethereal and yet it was real. “Good morning, Alice.” I replied without opening my eyes, her perfect, soothing voice had no...