‘But why?’ The tone was hushed, shocked and anxious. ‘I don’t understand. Grace was devoted to her mother. Louise adored that garden.’ ‘An emotional breakdown can have all kinds of causes. Louise’s ill health placed the entire family under considerable strain. As her mother’s devoted carer Grace bore the brunt of it. Grief is often accompanied by guilt at having been unable to prevent the death. This can show itself as anger directed against the loved one for leaving.’ ‘I understand. Yet I never expected, never imagined – not Grace. Such violence… ‘ Though both were speaking softly, she knew who they were. She tried to open her eyes. They were so swollen that the lids barely cracked apart. She was in her room lying on her bed. Someone had removed her shoes. But the dampness and the smell told her she was still wearing her sweat-soaked, earth-stained clothes. She drew a deep breath and felt it catch in her chest. Her hands were burning and stinging. She lifted one to find out why.
