A 15-year-old girl has spoken of how she managed to survive the Manchester attack on Monday night after reading a text from her mum incorrectly.
Charlotte Fawell took a wrong turn on her exit from the Manchester Arena at the end of the Ariana Grande concert.
Her mum, Wendy, aged 50, sadly died following the blast from the suicide bomber.
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Charlotte herself was only 50 yards from the explosion herself.
Credit: Charlotte Fawell
She told The Sun on Sunday: "I read the text wrong. If I'd have gone to the right door, I might not be here now. But I took a door on the left instead.
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"I was walking out, a massive bang went off and the entire arena shook. I knew people were dead.
"I was ringing and ringing my mum, hoping she'd been knocked unconscious and she might wake up and answer - but she never did."
Charlotte, like many, has felt a deep sense of anger towards bomber Salman Abedi. She said: "How would you feel if you were my age and you had no mum? She promised to be here forever and now she isn't - because of you."
Credit: Facebook
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The girl from Otley, West Yorkshire, was at the gig with her boyfriend Lee Davies, 16, whose mum, Caroline Davies, was also caught in the explosion and seriously injured.
It has since transpired that Caroline will raise Charlotte, and she has promised to honour her friend and 'not let hate win'.
Caroline said: "I'll never replace Wendy but I will always be there for her. I'd do anything for her and I'll love her like she is my own. I've been like a second mum to Charlotte anyway. I have said she can live here if she wants to. There is always room for her here."
Charlotte only learned of her mum's death on Wednesday but never gave up hope up to that moment.
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She added: "I was still ringing her phone. I never gave up hope. On Wednesday, a detective came and said there was a 99 percent chance they're not with us anymore. I burst into tears. She was my best friend, we did everything together."
Credit: PA
In an incredibly tragic twist, Wendy had outlined the funeral she wanted to Charlotte just days before the attack.
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She said: "She will get her wish to be cremated and wanted half of her ashes spread at the sea in Lyme Regis. She wanted the other half to say with me.
"I'll let out all my emotions at the funeral. I've decided to write my own eulogy and read it out. I know she'll be proud of me."
Last night, Police released two images of the suicide bomber, Abedi, and said they had taken 13 people into custody in connection with the atrocity and that the investigation was still 'live'.
Authorities said they have built up a 'detailed picture' of Abedi's movements since he returned to Britain from Libya on May 18, but are urging the public to come forward with any further information.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: terrorism, Manchester