THE SENTINEL

PART TWO: THE SURPRISE

   By Tessa Harvey

    A young bored-looking boy was with her, presumably a grandson, scuffing his shoes in an idle pattern while he waited, annoyed he pulled her coat as they moved away.

    Trying to hide her tears, the young woman felt bereft. A young policewoman had visited and Sylvia remembered her from school, but she had been in a higher grade. When the officer had left after some desultory conversation, Sylvia had hastily dressed and followed her out without being noticed.

Then she saw her mother and brother. They had left the busy entrance and were walking in her direction. Theo stopped to fasten his shoe. To his sister's surprise, she saw he was crying, tears trickling down his small face. Her mother had paused, waiting, trying to make sure he was safe, but in a distracted way. As the girl looked closer, she saw her mum's face was also bruised and they both looked like victims of some bad accident.

 The thorns round Sylvia's heart began breaking away and brokenly she called to them, longing for help yet afraid they were so upset. Why?

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