‘The best, Sarah, always the best. It’s natural for your brain to try and block it out. My mum was the same when my dad died. Do you want to come downstairs for a cuppa or shall I bring you one up?’

George was being so kind that Sarah felt tears welling again. She took a deep, juddering breath and managed to quell them, her voice shaky as she said, ‘Thanks, I’ll come down.’

‘Mum’s gone to open up the shop. She said to tell you not to worry about doing any shifts for a while.’

‘Oh, George, I hadn’t thought about work. All I can think about is Tommy …’ Sarah cried as she covered her face with her hands and tears fell again. Her shoulders jerked up and down as her heart broke.

‘It’s all very raw, love, and you need time to grieve. You stay in bed and I’ll bring you up that cuppa.’

George left the room. Sarah blew her nose. Her eyes were sore and she fought to stem her tears. The room looked dim and dreary with the curtains almost closed, so she climbed out of bed to open them. Though it was early, she saw some women sweeping their doorsteps, carrying on their normal everyday activities. Her child had died, and it didn’t seem right. How could life continue as normal? She snatched the curtains closed again, and climbed back into bed, preferring the dimness of the room to the bright sunshine outside.

‘There you go, love. There was a pot of tea made so I only had to pour it out,’ George said as he carried in a cup and placed it on the bedside table.

Sarah thanked him, but couldn’t smile. Her world had collapsed around her, and she felt like she would never smile again. She longed to hold Tommy once more, to see his cute face and hear his sweet voice, but he was gone. She looked up and cursed God. ‘Why?’ she yowled, ‘Why would you take such an innocent child? I hate you, do you hear me? I hate you!’

‘Oh, Sarah, I wish I could say something to comfort you,’ George said, looking close to tears too.

‘If He exists, God is supposed to give comfort, but all I can feel is pain. I don’t know what to believe any more. If there really is a God, how could he be so cruel? Tommy never did anything wrong, all he brought was goodness to this horrible world.’

‘I don’t know what to tell you, Sarah. I ain’t a believer but there’s plenty that are, so I don’t know, maybe there is something in it. You’ve got to see the vicar about Tommy’s funeral. Maybe it would help to talk to him?’