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‘Sa to understand yet’

‘It’s surprising how much children understand’

‘I’ll be able to tell him that his mummy loved him very much’

‘Has she been gone long?’

‘Abby learnt she had leukaenant with Sam,’ Scarlet recalled quietly ‘The doctors wanted her to have a terht away They warned her that not to do so would seriously reduce her chances of survival’

Their eyes locked The shock in his was visible, as was the compassion; the latter made her throat ache, and she sed

‘And they were right?’

‘Yes,’ she admitted softly

‘She ignored theently

Scarlet nodded

He released his breath in a long fractured hiss ‘What a decision to be forced to make’ And make alone

‘I don’t think it actually was that hard for Abby I don’t think a termination was ever an option for her’

‘How long after?’

‘Sam was three months old when she died; most of that three months she spent in hospital,’ she imparted quietly

Roht his breath ‘My God’ His brow furrowed ‘She knew that having her baby would kill her?’

Anger flared in Scarlet’s dark-fringed hazel eyes ‘No, leukaemia killed her’

She was painfully aware that it was possible for a careless word to plant an idea in a child’s head, and she deteruilt of his mother’s deathp????e

‘And I’d be grateful if you didn’t say that again—ever’

He inclined his head towards her ‘Of course, I’m sorry’