right, Anne. Everything's going to be all right."

"Can you forgive me?" she asked. "Please can you forgive me?" Her eyes closed and she whispered, "I don't want to be alone."

He heard Ian's voice. "Um... some of the things I said, well, you know I never really meant it. I was just joshing you mate, like you do, you know? Well... I just wanted you to know. No hard feelings, eh?"

David looked up at him and smiled. "No hard feelings, Ian. No more hard feelings." Ian gave a weak smile in reply and then sniffed.

David felt Anne tighten her grip on his hand again. "Don't leave me, David," she said. "Stay with me. Please."

He looked into her eyes.

"I'll never leave you, Anne," he said.