All the children are coming home...

The hours trickled away as I sat watching over Miss Toulouse's sleeping body that would not wake.

Lola insisted we were not to take her to a hospital that they wouldn't understand, whilst Ally fuelled with guilt for being responsible for suggesting the actions we took, that placed Miss Toulouse in this state, and argued we should.

I simply, silently obediently sat perched upon her bed and guarded her like a gargoyle that's high up on the church roof watching her sleeping body until she was able to wake.

Her chest gently raises and down as her still body lays nestles amongst the covers and pillows, like a bird in her nest, a light flicker off her eyelids would occasionally fill my heart with hope, it felt as if they were trying to open but unable to.

The ladies one by one came into Miss Toulouse's bedroom, all grief-stricken at seeing their beloved honorary mother who exude strength and installed it in them, so frail. Lola said she had a fall and the doctor had said she needed bed rest, I don't know if they believed this but they never questioned it.

Occasionally I would talk to her, just like I did to my grandmother when she was in the hospice "Miss Toulouse, it's Phoenix, please wake up... I know it might seem hard but you must come back .... We need you, I need you".

These desperate pleas fell on deaf ears but never less I would not give up because I knew Miss Toulouse wouldn't have given up on her.

Like sand in an egg timer, the hours too quickly passed, I laid beside Miss Toulouse determined to be there when she woke but exhaustion won and my eyes grew heavy until sleep took a tight grasp on me, it's held too strong for me to fight off and I drifted off.

My dreamless sleep was awoken by the loud banging that rattled through the house, I sprung up startled to see Ally deep asleep in the chair.

The banging continued, like a furious drill that couldn't be stopped, Ally snoring abruptly stopped as she jumped up startled by the banging that sounded like the front door was going to be taken off the hinges.

"What the fuck is that" Ally shouted, eyes still half-closed.

BANG, BANG, BANG

We stumble out of her bedroom to find a bleary-eyed Lola and the other ladies faces washed with confusion. Panic startled gurgle in my gut the last time we had a surprise visitor it didn't end so well. I could see the same thought flash over all of our faces.

"Fuck sake, this is all we need" Ally snarled "Phoenix get all the ladies into Miss Toulouse's bedroom me and Lola will handle this.

I ushered them all in and quietly shut the door, hoping whoever it is, will leave quickly. We huddle together around Miss Toulouse's bed like a protective wall, none of us uttering a word. We each link arms, to give each other the strength to stand strong for whatever has come knocking.

I hear the door creak home then muffled voices chatter, but I'm unable to make out what they're saying.

I hear the door slam shut... then the pounding of heavy feet up the stairs approaching Miss Toulouse's bedroom.

My heart races so hard I feel like it's going to pound out my chest, I say to myself, "whatever happens keep the ladies safe, that is what Miss Toulouse would want". Terrified whimper slips out from some of the ladies, scared their tormentors have found them and are here to drag them back to hell.

The door gingerly opens, adrenaline now flooding my body, making me ready to attack whoever walks in so I can protect my new family, my family that is not by blood but by choice, My fists clench ready to strike until I see Lola's warm smile.

I can finally breathe.

Before I can ask who was causing all this commotion the room is flooded by at least fifteen women rushing to Miss Toulouse's bed.

"What's going on?" I asked bemused.

Ally now casually appearing by the door frame, looking very unimpressed answers my confusion "these are more of Miss Toulouse's ladies, honorary daughters who she's helped over the years, when one of them rang earlier to chat to Miss Toulouse and Lola answered she kindly informed them that Miss Toulouse wasn't very well, so automatically they phone tree each other and decided unanimously they needed to check in on her .... Apparently there is more coming".

Ally glares at Lola, thanking her for the added drama to what is already an undeniable stressful situation but I see the smile that's spread across Lola's tired face, she can feel the love pouring off these women for Miss Toulouse and she's silently hoping Miss Toulouse will feel it too.

Their beautiful faces of every age and colour all look adoringly at Miss Toulouse, their saviour, their burning light that guided them through the darkness. Each with their own story, that is etched upon their soul - great sadness and pain but also redemption and hope that was installed within them, through the love and guidance of Miss Toulouse.

This tiny frail old lady, who to the outside world would seem quite unremarkable, has probably done more for the world and the women that live in it than anyone will ever know.

Now it's our turn to repay her kindness, we will all bunker down and watch over her while she sleeps - we will be the light for her as she was for us to guide her home.

We are all strangers, not related by blood but united in love.