‘Mrs Hoskine?’ Lottie glanced again at Gran.

‘Yes, my love?’

‘Did my mother ask you any questions?’

She laughed silently. ‘Pretty much the same ones you have.’

‘Ah.’ Her mother was still digging. She didn’t know how to not be a journalist.

‘Diana doesn’t seem peaceful.’ Mrs Hoskine made a clucking noise which sent Lottie straight back to her childhood. It was such a gentle reprimand and sign of disapproval.

‘That’s true.’

‘Your mother says she doesn’t remember her father or much of those years, which is a pity. She was so loved, adored by both Mr and Mrs.’ She walked to the bed. ‘They were a beautiful family and then it was gone. Mrs gone back to work overseas and Diana off to boarding school at only eight.’

She picked up Gran’s hand. ‘I think this is goodbye, Mrs Russell. May peaceful sleep find you. Rest.’

Gran’s breathing stopped, and Lottie’s did too, but then the raspy sound began again.

‘It won’t be long, Lottie.’

‘How do you know?’

‘It’s all in the breath. I learned it being with too many people as they took their last one.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’

‘Nothing to be sorry about. It’s a blessing and curse to be gifted with it. It’s something you never forget.’

‘Now, Mrs Russell be peaceful. If the good Lord is ready so must you be.’ She put Gran’s hand down and wiped Lottie’s cheeks with her hankie. The good Lord may be ready, Gran might even be, but Lottie wasn’t. Mrs Hoskine gave her a bear hug.

‘I didn’t mean to, I didn’t mean to. I had to.’ Gran’s voice croaked.

Lottie went to her. ‘Gran, it’s me Lottie.’

‘I had to. I had no choice.’ Gran repeated.

‘Shall I call your mother?’ Mrs Hoskine bustled through the doorway.

Lottie nodded. ‘Oh, Gran, please don’t be so upset.’

‘I didn’t mean to. I had no choice.’

In the hallway, Lottie heard Alex chatting to his grandmother.

‘Rest, Gran,’ she said wanting to help somehow but not sure what to do.

Her grandmother opened her eyes.

‘I love you.’ Lottie took her hand in hers. It was icy. Lottie froze.

Gran turned her head and focused on Lottie. ‘I had no choice, no choice.’ Each word took so much effort, Lottie hurt watching her. She looked around and Alex came up to her and took her hand in his. There had to be something she could do. Something to stop Gran leaving her.

‘Sssh, it’s OK. You had no choice, I understand.’

‘You do?’ She looked directly at her.

‘Yes, you had no choice, it’s OK.’ Lottie touched her cheek. She would do anything right now to erase the anguish in Gran’s eyes.

‘I had no choice because of Diana.’