Saplings

Lena saw their strained, sullen faces, and suddenly it was more than she could bear. Was it not enough that she should have lost Alex? She fought, but loneliness and self-pity engulfed her ... Laurel would have liked to have flung her arms around Lena ... but horror kept her silent. She rused to the door and flung it open. Her voice rose to a scream, 'Nannie, do come, Mum's ill or something.' Then the two children raced out into the garden, pushing each other about and howling with laughter.