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She nods and takes a deep breath ‘The ht be connected Willia from nowhere when you ran off to America only confirmed it’ She studies me, and I recoil, shocked at her confession She pushed Miller and ed it all, but she goes on before I can question her motives ‘But for the first tiave you life I couldn’t take that away froh the devastation when it was taken away froain’

My heart starts to free-fall intoto say next and I’in to fill with painful tears as I silently beg for her to finish right there

‘That girl was your et to my feet and escape, but Nan takes a firm hold of my arm and pulls me back down ‘Nan, please’

‘These people have taken all ofyou as well’ Her voice is strong and deter ‘Let Miller do what he needs to do’

‘Nan!’

‘No!’ She yankstheirl You have soht for! I should have said this to your mother and I didn’t I should have said it to Willia what shebombarded with too much information for my little mind to deal with

‘Of course I know!’ She looks frustrated ‘I also know that irl is back and no bleeder has had the decency to tell me!’

I fly back on the couch in shock,up to obsrandainst her pillow, all cal oing to take a nap,’ she says, beginning to get cosy, like the past five minutes haven’t happened ‘And when I wake up, I want everyone to stop treating me like I’m stupid You can leave me in peace’ Her eyes close and I instantly take the cue – worried of the repercussions if I don’t Gradually lifting my lifeless body fro once, twice, three ti maybe we should talkto me I quietly pull the door closed and stand in the halliping atdown my creased dress I don’t knohat to do with any of this One thing is for sure, though My head has been well and truly yanked from the sand I’m not sure whether to be thankful or troubled by her awareness

Hushed whispers fro andme to a situation I’ the kitchen, the first sign isn’t good Miller has his head in his hands at the table and Willia on

‘What is it?’ I ask, fillingto kid

Three heads whip around, but it’s Miller who has my attention ‘Olivia’ He stands and co hishis despair ‘How is she?’

His question sends ether an explanation for how she is Nothing here is acceptable, except the truth ‘She knows,’ I utter, worrying that that state to need to be extended When an inquisitive look jumps onto Miller’s face, that worry is confirh, letting Miller lead me to the kitchen table and sit ood news She knows he has soer between Willia’ Willia to have a snooze now and when she wakes up, she wants everyone to stop treating her like she’s stupid’

Williaory I knohat they’re thinking, or at least thinking beyond their initial shock at this news They’re thinking that this is way too much for her to deal with, especially since she’s just been discharged froht Have I underesti I do know is that I’m about to put their current shock to shaasps

‘Oh Jesus,’ Gregory breathes, rushing across to irl Are you OK?’

I nod into his shoulder ‘I’m fine,’ I assure him, no matter how not fine I am I let him coo and fuss over me, stroke me and kiss my head repeatedly And when he pulls away froe, all fondly ‘I’m here for you’

‘I know’ I take his hands and squeeze, then use the opportunity to gauge the faces of the other two e combination of awe and worry on his And when I look to Miller, I seenothing He’s poker-faced His aloofness has fallen into place, but I can see soure out what it is I can’t