‘Promise I’ll be there this time.’ The quiet on the other side churns my stomach. I stare at the pocketbook on my lap, a watercolour frog dressed in red on the cover. ‘I bought you a present.’ I imagine her in a hospital gown, dull eyed, when she sighs. ‘Miss you.' @cbcreative.bsky.social #writecbc

The window closes with a stubborn thud, but the faint breeze of rotten wood continues to play with the tips of my hair. I leave the prints of elongated hands and fingers on the glass, turning to Millie when she gives a sharp bark as the bedroom door slowly opens. #writecbc @cbcreative.bsky.social