Page 145 of Our Secrets and Lies

‘I’m the one that’s sorry,’ he said. ‘We thought we’d lost you. Jesus, Kelly, I couldn’t be in the world without you. You’re the other half of me. I love you.’

Kelly smiled at him. ‘I love you, too,’ she said, and her voice was a little stronger this time.

Lucy came back through the door with Aideen at her heels.

‘Well, that’s agood sight,’ the nurse said, as she moved quickly to check Kelly’s pulse and the machine beside her. ‘Kelly, you cut your wrists quite badly. But your family got you here quickly and the doctors think you’ll make a full recovery. But we need you to rest and not talk too much, okay? Is there anything I can get you?’

‘Water,’ Kelly said.

‘No problem. Be with you in a moment.’ She turned to Lucyand Dylan. ‘You can stay while I fetch the jug, but I’ll have to ask you to leave then. She needs her rest.’

She left the room. Lucy leant over, laid her hand on Kelly’s cheek and looked into her eyes. ‘Oh, God, Kelly, I’m so glad you’re okay. Once you’re better, we can deal with anything. I love you so much, sweetheart. You’re my world.’

Kelly’s eyelids fluttered again. She was struggling tokeep them open, but she couldn’t. Her head dropped to the side and she was asleep again.

‘She knows we love her, Mum,’ Dylan murmured, ‘and that we’re here for her.’

Lucy nodded as tears slid down her cheeks. ‘I just hope she can forgive me.’

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