49
Slim clutched the photocopy in his hands. A single beaded tear slowly spread itself out, burrowing into the paper. It had landed on Celia’s name, and the C was slowly expanding, the ink blooming like an algae spot in a pond.
Merrifield, Charlotte Ann
Mother: Merrifield, Celia Father: unknown
Born June 19th, 1992.
Died June 19th, 1992.
Cause of death: stillbirth.
Slim read the information over and over. Each time his eyes traced over the brief lines he felt another piece of his sanity stripping away.
And if it was so hard for him, how had it been for Celia?
There had been a baby after all. A tiny little girl who had died in the womb, never to open her innocent little eyes.
Charlotte Merrifield.
Charlotte Birch.
Slim called Derrifield Hospital, asking about visiting hours to s
