The Uninvited

I say, ‘Kaitlin won’t be at risk. I’ll bethere.’‘She was at risk before. You were therethen. The only thing that’s changed is thatshe’s now ten times more vulnerable.Christ, Hesketh. I thought if you saw her inthis state, you’d realise that.’ I watch hermouth as she speaks. Her lipstick is Plumand there is a little scrape of it on her leftincisor. ‘He nearly killed her. You’veseen for yourself what he did. She’s prettymuch a vegetable, Hesketh. Her life iseffectively over.’ I don’t say anything.‘And who’s to say he doesn’t go for youor me next?’‘He won’t.’ I turn to go. I have been inthis hospital for twenty-four minutes intotal and I am ready to leave.As I walk down the hospital corridor