[Caroline UK]

Carolyns,

Was about to close my computer down and dash off, but felt I had to respond to your second message. My own eyes were a bit shiny as I read it. I've longed so many times for this all to be a bad dream - there are times when I genuinely can't believe it's actually happening, and there's this overwhelming horror which I desperately want to escape from, and can't. I find coming here is the best thing in the world when I'm feeling so afraid and alone - like you said, here is where I feel most understood. I'm so thankful for it.

It seems to me that if you can't feel better by the time your little boy comes home, well, then that's how it is, and not surprising. You're only human, and there are bound to be times when it feels just too much to bear for a while. Maybe it'll be a time when you have a cry and big bear hugs together, so neither of you feel you have to pretend for the other that you're feeling brave.