064

Karen

Oscar and I went downstairs to receive my parents in the visitors' lounge.

I shook when I saw the backs of their heads on the two-seater couch in the lounge. They were seated so closely together. Oscar held my hand and walked in with me. The moment I finally saw their faces, tears streamed down my eyes. My mother and father stood up immediately and hugged me.

I didn't know when Oscar left my hand as we held each other and wept.

"My baby, my poor baby," my mother cried. They both hugged me tightly. Their skins were cold to touch, but I didn't care. They were here with me finally.

After a while, we broke the hug, and they returned to sit on the two-seater while Oscar and I sat directly opposite them.

My parent sat so closely together it was obvious that they were genuinely in love with each other.

"She has your eyes and your nose, Issy," my father said, and my mother laughed and nodded.

"I can't believe this," was all I cou