| Joanne |
And suddenly I'm back in Co-Op, Two and a half years ago after I finished my shift at the post office Picking up dessert for Nan and I on my way home. Apple crumble with clotted cream. To go with her Chapman classic she's making - chicken casserole. Rodas cream though because Nan's a snob. Left me a voicemail She's sorry that things ain't been right and that she didn't tell me about her illness sooner As a peace offering offering she'll make my favourite - Casserole I rock up to the front gate, Co-Op bag in hand and pull my keys out of my back pocket for the front door I open the door to see Nan just laying there on the kitchen floor. Cold Lifeless A patch of blood surrounding her head. Blood staining the floor. I drop the bag Run over to her and hold her in my arms Her head in my chest Blood staining my clothes I say Nan C'mon Nan wake up Please just, wake up. Nothing. Blood staining my hands. I dial 999 and scream the address down the phone Tell them to hurry quick. They tell me to give her CPR but still nothing. She's non responsive. They're on their way. I hold her so tight. Times ticks away for what feels like an eternity. Thoughts racing through my head as she's in my arms How do you live when the one person who gives you strength is gone? Well the simple answer is you don't. The paramedics arrive and ask a ton of questions The police arrive and ask a ton more. But I'm struggling to string a sentence together, let alone a thought. They examine her body and the house. And deduce she must've fell and hit her head on the way down. The paramedic says they're taking her to the Gwent and asks if I want to ride in the ambulance. I simply nod. Walk outside next to Nan on the stretcher Holding her cold hand tight Edging closer and closer towards the flashing lights of the ambulance at the end of the drive. |
| Jo is brought back to present day |