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����������“Easter is here again. I said Easter is here again. It used to be one of your favourite times of the year. Next to Christmas and birthday of course. Look, I’ve brought you your favourite Easter egg, Lee. It’s got two flakes with it as well. Oh, and a card too. Mustn’t forget that. Two in fact, one from me and your dad. One from your Aunty Jacqueline. I think she’s put some money in it too. You know how she likes to send you something. You don’t have to open them right now if you don’t want to. I’ll tell her you send your thanks.
����������“Your father sends his best. He’s sorry he couldn’t make it. He had to attend the Sunday service you know. He always has to do that. I wish you wouldn’t keep staring at the telly, it’s not good for your eyes. Even when it’s not on, it’s still not good for your eyes. You’re not wearing your glasses today Lee. Where have you put them? You’ve lost them again haven’t you? Let’s see if I can find them. Well, they’re not on the table. Not under the bed. I don’t know where they could be then.
����������“I just don’t know.
����������“Your sister sends her love too. She’s got a new boyfriend now. Jack. She finally brought him home last weekend. Introductions went well, I think. Your father didn’t fly off the handle or anything. Seemed to take the news quite calmly really that his little girl was dating. Mind, she’s not so little anymore. Twenty-one. But your father still treats her like an innocent gal of sixteen. Not sure she is you know. Innocent that is. But of course she never tells me anything anymore, so I wouldn’t know. Perhaps she’s told you something?
����������“Not that you’d ever tell me I suppose.
����������“Anyway, this Jack of hers, bright young lad. Well, I’d say he’s about your age, about twenty-three or four. Bright lad, yes. Blond. She always did like blonds, your sister. I think that’s a hairist thing that though. You know, she doesn’t want to be the only one accused of having ‘blond moments’. You never laugh at anything I say anymore, Lee.
����������“He’s doing some sort of course at university, though your father thinks he’s just a bit of a layabout. He never did believe in that kind of… No, well. You know that. But she’s now thinking of giving up her job in the bakery, our Lucy is. Jack’s got her thinking about furthering herself, so he has. Been giving her ideas. Encouraging her to go to art college of all places. I ain’t told your dad that yet. Don’t think he’d see it quite the same way she does.
����������“Shall I open one of your cards? The one from me and your dad? Read it out? Alright then. It’s got a lovely picture of a yellow chicken on the front, just having hatched from an egg with a red ribbon falling away from it. Inside it says: To my dear son, ‘Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen: he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16:6) Wishing you much happiness at Easter. Lots of love from mum, dad and Lucy. Kiss, kiss, kiss.
����������“I’ll just place it here on the side, so you can see it and perhaps have someone read it again to you later.
����������“Jack seems to think Lucy could really make a go of it, so it seems. I never really thought anything of your sister’s doodlings myself. But you always liked them didn’t you, Lee love? That reminds me, here’s one of Lucy’s latest drawings, she thought you’d like it. She made me promise not to show your dad it, so you mustn’t either, though God alone knows why. I’ve not seen it myself. She wouldn’t let me see it either. I’ll just leave it here love, on this table. I’m sure one of the nurses wouldn’t mind holding it out for you to have a look at later.
����������“Do you remember the Easter egg competitions you and your sister always entered at school every year? And how Lucy won the competition at our local building society one year? And you thought it was your egg, not hers that had won? What a kerfuffle that was. Oh dear, yes I remember that well. You must have been seven or eight then.
����������“You were always such an affectionate child. Liked your hugs, you did. Now all I can do is put my arms round you and...
����������“But every time I touch you I can’t help remembering… I can’t believe it was only last year. A year ago today in fact. There never was any blood. I didn’t understand that. And you looked so peaceful. The doctor said there was hope. There’s always hope.
����������“So I hoped the other driver hadn’t gone too fast. I hoped you wouldn’t stop breathing. I hoped you’d be awake in time for Father’s Day, but you weren’t. I hoped you’d would be with us – at the seaside – on Lucy’s birthday, but you weren’t. I hoped you’d be awake for Christmas, but you weren’t. I hoped and I hoped.
����������“I remember when… Ah, there’s somebody at the door, must be your father. Oh hello, Lucy love. Have you come to see your brother? He’s doing really well today. Much more responsive than…”
����������“Mum, stop it!”
����������“But it’s a special day today Lucy you know that, I thought that…”
����������“Yes, I know what day it is mum. That’s why I came.”
����������“You’re such a sweet girl Lucy. Come show me this drawing you asked me to give him then. I’m dying to know what it is. Come tell him all about Jack.”
����������“I can’t mum.”
����������“Why not darling?”
����������“There is no drawing. Mum, there’s no-one here.”
����������“I don’t know what you mean love. Are you playing one of your games again, that you two always used to play together? Are you playing at invisible friends again?”
����������“Mum, I haven’t had invisible friends for many years now. You know that. Look I can’t stay long. Jack’s waiting in the car for me, and I know dad’s going to be here soon, so I…”
����������“Your dad’s coming? That’s wonderful. He doesn’t come to see Lee that much these days.”
����������“Mum, he’s coming to see you. Not Lee.”
����������“Well, it’s Lee he should be seeing. He sees me all the time.”
����������“Mum, I’ve got to go. I know dad’s really looking forward to seeing you. Spending some time alone with you. I’ll call in to see you properly tomorrow and sit with you a bit.”
����������“Wait a minute Lucy, aren’t you going to kiss your brother goodbye before you go? Aren’t you going to wish him a happy Easter?”
����������“No mum.”
����������“Well that’s very rude of you, I’m sure. I expected more from you Lucy. Just because you’ve fallen out with your brother, doesn’t mean you can’t be polite.”
����������“Mum, Lee’s dead. When you gonna get that through your head? He’s dead, mum.”
����������“Lucy!”
����������“Sorry mum. I’m sorry. I knew I shouldn’t have come.”
����������“He can hear you, you know. Just because he can’t say anything, or even look at you, doesn’t mean to say he can’t hear what’s going on. He needs reassurance that the people he loves are still here for him. How can you be so ignorant? He loves you, Lucy.”
����������“And I love him mum. Don’t you think I miss him too?”
����������“Well look love, there’s no need to cry. I’m sure Lee will forgive you if you apologise and give him a hug. He just needs a hug from his favourite sister. Then he’ll feel better.”
����������“Mum, please stop this. Please.”
����������“You two argued so much when you were little, but I thought you both grew out of that. I was sure you had. I’ve seen the two of you together, how you always stick up for each other. And keep your little secrets, even from your own mother.”
����������“I’ll see you tomorrow mum.”
����������“Lucy! The nerve of that girl! Who does she think she is? She didn’t even stay to show me what the drawing was all about. It only would have taken five minutes. She could’ve at least shared some of the chocolate with us. Couldn’t she Lee, love? Lee?”

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