THOSE AWAKE... 

By Tessa Harvey

    Outside Gray's flat, a young woman with a small child watched from across the road. The traffic was particularly heavy but Yvonne had found out Grayson was due home today. She felt on edge and uncertain. Why had she come?

    Another woman, older and of foreign appearance also stood near his door. Yvonne's heart sank. He had another woman. Turning to leave, heavy-hearted and sad, Gray suddenly appeared around the corner.

    He seemed fraught and sad to her. Perhaps he had missed her after all.

    Yvonne paused and at that moment, a little girl's voice called "Daddy, oh my daddy!" She slipped from Yvonne's grasp and darted across the busy road. At once, Yvonne tried to follow her, weaving between cars stopped at the corner lights.

    Tears ran down her cheeks. Her precious child was too small to be clearly seen.

A truck hurtled by, trying to catch the lights as they changed. Grabbing Alison, Yvonne threw her as far as she could. The waiting woman on the other side held out her arms and caught the child, staggering and falling.

    Yvonne stopped. The truck thundered by, horn blaring loudly. Other vehicles slowed and she slipped through to Alison and Gray.

    He was cradling his child, his beautiful lost child, but holding out an arm to Yvonne also. Her heart leaped. Her husband still cared. The wind blew her clothes tight against her body and he saw her pregnancy.

    "Come inside," he said as a curious crowd was beginning to gather, and cameras began to flash.

    He released Yvonne and Alison and bent to help Imelda who was white with pain. She held her arm awkwardly.

    It was obvious a bone was broken. Gray called for his local doctor. He had enough money to pay for a home visit. Besides the man was a friend. Ten minutes later he was there - balding, pompous-sounding but with a twinkle in his eyes.