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Mary had been disturbed for some time now. Ever since the untimely death of her younger brother James in a terrible a road accident, she had been unable to cope. She found comfort at the lake side, especially on such a wonderfully, warm and balmy summer evening as this. She sauntered over to the shore of the beautiful lake, the sun glistening on it's surface. Her companion Jack, the small tricoloured Jack Russell terrier also loved the lake and surrounding countryside.
Jack foraged around the lake of the shore for nothing in particular, while Mary was deep in thought. Her pain was almost tangible. Maybe suicide was the answer, it would be an end to her suffering, an end to the unbearable pain of living without her beloved brother James. Why did he have to die so young ? Only nine years old, he was once of life's innocents. It was so wrong, so unfair.
Mary was vaguely aware of the man approaching her. Was he walking towards her to speak with her, or merely enjoying the wonderful, view of the lake and surrounding countryside. He certainly did not seem in a hurry and stopped to look at his watch. He was dressed in a smart pin stripped suit. He wore a white a shirt and plain dark blue tie, with a tie pin keeping it in place. He sported expensive looking black shoes and cut an impressive figure.
Mary noticed a couple walking hand in hand towards the lake with two children in tow. Two boy's by the look of it. She guessed they were brothers, possibly twins not more than five years old by the look of them.
"Mary, Mary please I only want to talk to you" shouted the man in the pin stripe.
Jack started to growl at the stranger, sensing danger and wanting to protect Mary. Mary sat down and rested her back against the large tree, the roots of which seemed to stretch to the water in the lake. She looked over towards the man but said nothing.
"Mary, you need help, we know you are hurting. Let me help you. Please"

"Doctor Jenkins, I know you mean well, but if you come any closer I will slit my wrists,stay back now, I mean it."

Jenkins knew he had to play for time. This was a fragile young woman whose life had been shattered. He desperately wanted to make it all better for her. Mary had just had her sixteenth birthday. It was a joyless affair. Her younger brother buried three weeks previously. Her mother and father,seemingly about to start a 'trial separation' what did that ever result in other than divorce ?
"Have you taken any pills ?"

"Yes a few, it won't be long now, it is best for everyone, you will see"

"Oh Mary, what have you done,what did you take ?"

She did not reply, and he edged closer towards her. He noticed she was concealing something in her coat pocket. Her right hand had remained in the pocket and that worried him. Could it be the knife she had threatened to slit her wrists with ? Maybe, but he could take no chances. If he delayed any longer she could die from an overdose.
"OK that's it now, your frightening me Mary, I am calling the police" he took out his mobile phone and lifted it to his left ear.
"No, don't please. No police" There was alarm in her voice. Jack sensed it and started to bark loudly at Jenkins, running up to with two feet of him and growling deeply. She stood up and produced the knife. It was a kitchen knife with a blade approximately six inches long. She placed it against her windpipe.
"No, no Mary don't put it away now, this is madness"

"Madness ? Madness ? My beautiful James being killed by some stupid careless lorry driver on his mobile, that's madness. My parents divorcing that's madness. Tell me what is sanity, please I would love to know what isn't madness in this crazy world"

Jenkins took the phone away from his ear, and dropped his hand by his side. He put the phone back in his pocket and slowly put both hands over his face.
She could not have seen it coming, too distracted by Doctor Jenkins, but then that was the plan after all. She was grabbed from behind, and was powerless to resist. The knife dropped to the floor, and Mary let out a sigh. She began to sob, and then to cry.
The nurse who grabbed her had taken her to the ground and searched through her pockets.
"Nothing else Doctor, but we still don't know what she has taken. Her eyes are dilated,we need an ambulance and quickly" said nurse Baker. She was in ordinary clothes, had not had time to change into her uniform, when the alarm was raised.
"What have you taken Mary, tell me now, this is very important" said Jenkins.
"Paracetamol and tamazepam."

"How many of each ?"

Mary rolled on her side and closed her eyes. The doctor dialled 999 and gave details of the location for the benefit of the ambulance driver. It was a short walk from the car park, but he should be able to manoeuvre the ambulance down to the lakeside without too much trouble.
The next thing she was aware of of waking in her hospital bed. She was drowsy, could hardly keep her eyes open. She turned over and sat up slowly.
"Mum, dad I am so sorry. Please tell me your not divorcing. Please."

"No Mary, we are not. We are going to get through this together. You, me, dad and of course Jack. Now take it easy, it will be OK. I promise"

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