‘Searching for you,’ said his mum. ‘And, trust me – he won’t rest until he finds you. You got your stubborn streak from him.’

Somewhere a smile shone faintly in Elliot’s dark soul. He had a dad. A dad who loved him.

‘You need to go to him,’ Josie said, her warm glow surrounding Elliot. ‘It’s his time with you now. I’ve had mine. And I can’t thank you enough for it, my beautiful, brilliant boy.’

Elliot felt sobs shake his body. The dam was struggling to hold.

‘This . . . this is really what you want?’

‘More than anything in any world. It’s what any mother wants: for their child to live their best life. It’s waiting for you, Elly. Now go and get it.’

‘I want you with me!’ cried Elliot through torrential tears.

‘And you’ll always have me,’ promised Josie, her golden hand resting on his shoulder. ‘You’ve been to the Afterlife – it’s all around you. I’m always near, with Nan and Grandad, watching over you. You wait – when you next feel a smile inside, that’ll be me, kissing your head. Our love can’t ever die, Elly. It’s engraved on our very being. And one day we’ll be together again. We have a for ever of tomorrows to look forward to. But first, you must have your today.’

Elliot looked up at the faintest speck of fading daylight ahead.

‘I just want one thing,’ he whispered.

‘Anything, my darling.’

‘I want to hold you. One more time. Please.’

His mother’s gentle laugh rang out behind him. He locked it deep in his memories so he’d have it to cherish.

‘Then come and give your mum a hug.’

Elliot dredged up every bit of courage from the depths of his soul. This was it. This was goodbye.

He placed his hand over his mother’s golden fingers and slowly turned to face her.

And there she was.

‘Come here, baby,’ she said, holding her arms out to her son.

He looked at her beautiful, smiling face, ran his fingers down her cheek and threw himself into her golden embrace.

‘I love you, Mum,’ he wept.

‘I love you, my Elly,’ Josie cried, covering his head with a thousand golden kisses. ‘I’m always with you. I’m your smile inside. Remember that. Goodbye, my darling. Goodbye. If only for now . . .’

Elliot clung to her, his arms around his mother’s waist, but he could feel her evaporating in his embrace. He opened his eyes and smiled as his mother – his wonderful, perfect mother – faded in a stream of golden light, becoming one with the very air around her.

‘Bye, Mum,’ he whispered, and watched her flicker away to a single speck of gold.