Brian had run into an oncoming vehicle which ran into him and smashed him on the tar. I believed the universe heard my scream because I had shut my eyes and let loosed at the tops of my voice. Literally and in my head, that was the end of Brian; my husband was dead.

I couldn’t stop shouting as I beheld his body convulse hugely on the road.

“What the hell did you say happen to my son? I am asking you, Melissa. What happened to Brian?” Fanny almost pinned me to the wall as his loopy voice questioned me.

I had been all tears since ambulance brought Brian to...