She only had to look at him to be galvanised into action. She rushed up the stairs, footsteps thudding in rapid, staccato succession, like a boxer striking a punchbag.“He’s taken some pills,” Matt said, as she hurried past him across the landing. “He’s taken some pills.”Downstairs, his mother had appeared, followed by Uncle Mike. Matt looked at them, then at Carol’s retreating back. He felt helpless. He felt responsible.He hurried back into Gramps’ room, as more steps sounded on the stairs.Carol was by her father’s side. “Dad? Dad? What have you done? Dad?”Gramps was staring blankly across the room, a half-smile on his face. Slowly, he turned his eyes on his daughter. “Carol?” he said, in little more than a whisper. “Don’t worry, Carol. I’ll look for your mother, I will.”She looked up at Matt. “What’s he taken?” she asked.Matt pointed at the chest of drawers, the evidence of Gramps’ actions.“I came up a few minutes ago,” he said. He knew it was important to get the facts straight.
