WHEN THE ICE MELTS

"THOU SHALT NOT KILL" is one of the deadly sins isn't it? So why is Sarah Wenham preparing to end her husband Tom's life?

Sarah is a partner in a law practice, and her husband is in a coma following an air accident in the mountains of Switzerland. The consultant treating Tom informs Sarah that there is no brain stem function, and suggests that he should be allowed to die naturally with dignity. Sarah loves Tom so much, so how can she give permission for the machine keeping him alive to be switched off? But deep down, Sarah knows there is no hope for Tom, and she gives her consent.

The only way Sarah can cope with the knowledge of what she has done, is to build a wall of ice around her emotions. How and when the ice melts, is the nub of this sometimes terrifying, and yet heart-warming story?

Sarah goes through a lifetime's worth of trauma, before she achieves closure.