VI

The man looked straight at him. Then straight past him. He went into Colin’s room and the door closed. Tom waited outside.

When the nightshift came on he was offered a cup of coffee, but still no information.

Around midnight the family (the parents and brother?) came out of the room. They didn’t look very happy. Nor particularly sad. Quite unemotional, really. All three of them looked in Tom’s direction and none directly at him.

The minute they were out of the hall an alarm went off in colin’s room. Tom started. A nurse hurried in there. Only to come straight back out. She came down the corridor.

- Are you Tom?
- Yes
- He wants you to come in

Tom rushed in. Colin was looking his usual self, not dead at all. Tom kissed him before he could stop to think and Colin didn’t stop him either. The nurse cleared her throat.

- You’re not actually allowed in here, since you’re not family …