‘ All done ?’ she called , with a knock . ‘ Done .’ I didn ’ t understand why she was still here . I told them it was an accident ; just a late-night swim that went wrong . Silly people with their silly heads . They think they know everything .
‘ Oh , much better .’ She neatened the collar of my cardigan . ‘ We don ’ t want people talking .’ ‘ Talking ?’ ‘ People used to talk about me .’ She unveiled her wrists dramatically . Aged scars wrapped the skin like a toddler ’ s drawing .
I didn ’ t know what to say . What do you say to that ? Sorry the world irrevocably broke you . I ’ m sorry fate has selfishly kept you here . I settled for , ‘ I ’ m sorry .’