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‘Where is she? Where’s my Sarah?’ Charlie went straight to Mia.

Mia put an arm around him. ‘Dad, she’s in good hands. They’re checking her out to see what the problem is. It could be something simple like high or low blood pressure. It happens in pregnancy.’

‘Good, that’s probably it. She might need blood thinners or something. Right?’

‘Yes, Dad, hopefully it’s something like that.’

Johnny pulled Mia aside. ‘What’s really going on?’

Mia bit her lip. ‘I don’t know, but it doesn’t look good. She was completely non-responsive when I found her, and she was still unconscious when she got here. I’m really scared, Johnny.’

Johnny put his arms around his wife and pulled her close. ‘She’ll be OK,’ he whispered into her ear.

‘Don’t be nice to me. I need to keep it together for Izzy and Dad. If you’re lovely, I’ll go to pieces.’

‘Would it help if I shouted abuse at you?’ he said, kissing her cheek.

‘No, I have Riley for that.’ Mia gave him a watery smile.

‘She’ll pull through, Mia. Sarah’s a toughie.’

But that was just it: she wasn’t. Sarah wasn’t tough like Mia. Sarah had always been the one who got bugs and viruses when they were young. She was the sickly sister who got a cold if she didn’t wear a jumper to school. Mia could go out in a T-shirt in the snow and be fine.

Sarah had always had a boyfriend. From the age of fourteen she’d gone from one relationship to another. She’d always had a boy there to look after her. Boys, and later men, loved Sarah. They wanted to look after her. She had that way about her. Mia scared men off because she was too assertive, but Sarah attracted them like moths to a flame.

‘It’d be better if it was you in there, Mia. You’re a big strong lassie. Sarah’s a delicate thing.’ Charlie confirmed what Mia was thinking. She tried not to let the comment sting.

‘He didn’t mean it like that,’ Johnny muttered.

‘What the hell is taking so long?’ Adam paced up and down.

‘Don’t worry, Daddy,’ Izzy said. ‘Riley told me that Mummy just needs a big sleep for her sore head.’

‘Well said, love.’ Mia squeezed her daughter’s hand.

‘Mia could carry triplets and not skip a beat, she’s strong as a horse. But Sarah was always a delicate flower,’ Charlie mumbled.

‘Sarah’s not that delicate. She’s strong too. Come on now, let’s be positive,’ Johnny said.

The door to the waiting room opened, and a man and a woman came in, both wearing scrubs.

‘You’re Sarah’s family?’ the man said.

‘I’m her husband,’ Adam said, walking over to him. ‘This is her father and sister.’

‘And I’m her daughter, Izzy,’ Izzy said, sounding put out.

‘Well, I’m Dr Mayhew,’ the man said, ‘and I’m very pleased to meet the most important person in the room, Miss Izzy.’

Izzy looked delighted. ‘Are you making my mummy better?’ she asked.

‘We’re doing our very best,’ Dr Mayhew said. ‘Are you happy to have a talk here?’ he said to Adam.

Adam nodded. ‘We’re all desperate, waiting to hear. What’s the news?’

‘Mr Brown, I’m an intensive-care physician. My colleague here,’ he said, gesturing to the woman beside him, ‘is Professor Irwin, head of the Department of Neurology. We’re both on the team caring for your wife.’

‘A neurosurgeon?’ Charlie said. ‘Doesn’t sound good.’