Anthony Blackshaw, 19 Jul '12

        I made a promise to a friend.

~

        The scene is hauntingly similar. Mary is sat in a chair next to the bed where our Issy is lying. She drops her hands from her face and looks up at me. Her mouth is open and she's sobbing but there's no sound. I want to go to her, to move from the doorway and to hold her but I'm scared.
        
        There's a nurse the opposite side of the bed from where Mary is. She's carefully removing the lines and monitoring pads from the little blonde haired girl lying motionless in the bed. Noticing me she stops, opens her mouth as if to say something but changes her mind and looks away.
        
        Mary puts a hand on the side of the bed and tries to stand but her legs won't hold her. The nurse makes to move around towards her but I'm already there on the floor. She takes my hands in hers and looks at me. I can't meet her gaze and so she places a hand on my face and brings my eyes to hers.
        
        “I promised. I'm sorry.” I manage to mouth without sounding the words.

        I don't know if she understood what I said but suddenly she's pulling me into her and we're holding each other.

        I know I have to stand up. I have to look at my angel.

        I get to my feet and look down at Issy. There are little patches of lighter skin under her nose from where tubes had been taped down but she looks just the same. I can see my friend in her, the shape of her mouth, her nose. In my head I can see his face too as if he's lying next to her. He's talking to me.
        
        “Promise me you'll look after them, Issy and Mary. Promise me.”

        I promised.