James was in tears, in a heap on the floor. She, his wife, stood by him with a single tear slowly trickling down her cheek. The little girl wandered off into the garden as the police cars pulled up in the front drive. Her mother followed her, with a cold hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“What’s going on, mummy?”

“I don’t know, Lila Baby.” Her mother replied. And she truly didn’t. Not really...

“Can we play a game?”

“Sure baby, what game?”

“Hide-and-go-seek?” Lila queried. Her mother, Molly, nodded and said;

“You can hide first, sweetie.”

Lila ran off, to hide in the huge garden. Not so much of a garden, but a jungle - the grass was so high, the little girl could stand in it and not be seen.

“3...2...1 - Here I come! Ready or not!”

Lila giggled and dropped down on the damp earth between some tall blades of grass.

“You won’t find me Mummy!”

“Oh really, baby? BOO!”

Lila let out a scream and giggled until heard her father’s voice -

“Delilah Molly McLeod! How many times has your mother told you not to play in that grass!”

“But mummy’s playing with me! And don’t call me Delilah! I hate it!”

“YOUR MOTHER IS NOT PLAYING WITH YOU! STOP WITH THE STUPID FANTASIES!”

Lila started to cry, sobs wracked her body as she rocked back and forth and pleaded,

“Daddy, please don’t shout. I am playing with mummy - mummy get up and show him you’re here!”

“I’m sorry baby, I can’t.”

“But...” she said through sobs, “You can!”

“No, Lila, I can’t. He won’t see me...” she trailed off as a silver tear made it’s way to her chin.

“Mummy, why are you crying?”

“Just go to your father baby, I’ll be here when you come back and then he’ll be able to see me.”

Her father, who had been silent the whole time, was slumped on the short grass by the patio door, sobbing. Why were the police telling him one thing when his daughter told him different?

“Daddy? Why are you crying? You’ve been crying all day, since the peace-men came.”

He laughed, she never did get the hang of saying ‘policemen’ properly, even now, at the age of 5 she still said it wrong.

“Um ... baby, I don’t know how to tell you this...” his looked away from his daughter. Afraid to look into the blue pools so like Molly’s eyes.

“De ... Lila, honey, your mummy’s gone to heaven with the angels.”

“But I was just playing with her; she hasn’t gone anywhere - Look! She’s standing right in front of us!”

He couldn’t see anything in front of him but the tall grass - he looked away.

“Lila, sweetheart, tell him to look again quickly, I don’t have much more time ...”

She didn’t have to tell her father, he heard the voice. It was Molly for certain, but how?

“James, look after my angel for me, won’t you?”

“Why mummy? Where are you going?”

“I have to go to heaven, to be with the angels. And gran and grandpa are waiting for me.”

“But ... But we need you here! They’ve been there for ages - they can manage without you for a little longer!”

“Baby, they can’t. Please understand, I’ll always love you,” she turned to James, “And you too. Always and forever. I’ll be watching over my Angel, and my very own Prince Charming, from heaven. I promise. Now can I have a hug? The angels are calling me to join them.”

They hugged her as tight as they could. Willing her not to go but saying nothing. She only had seconds left of the time between life and death. The golden steps appeared, rimmed with pure gold arches and solid silver ivy wrapped around them. The sky just above their heads glowed white and glittered. Two winged girls came down and took hold of each of Molly’s arms. She turned toward the family she was leaving behind, and walked up the steps toward the clouds. She quickly disappeared.

“Goodbye, Mummy!” Lila called after her. She was taking it pretty well, unlike James.

The gold gates closed and the steps disappeared. They heard her now silvery voice for the last time.

“Remember, my darlings, if ever you need me, look to the stars and I’ll be looking down on you. Don’t ever forget me. Carry me with you in your hearts and I’ll be there when you need guidance. I’ll be at your wedding Lila, and when you have your kids, I’ll be there. I hope I don’t see you again too soon. I’ll always be thinking of you. Don’t be sad that I’m not there, be happy that I was.”