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Izzy glanced up at Adam, then shook her head. ‘I sort of do, but not really,’ she said slowly. ‘She has to sleep to make her better. But I don’t really know why she got sick.’

‘Well, Izzy, we aren’t one hundred per cent sure yet either. The doctors are doing some tests and those tests will tell us why your mum fell down and why she needs to sleep now. But we’re taking good care of her, and she’s very comfortable and not in any pain at all. She’s just resting for now, OK?’

‘Can I come back and see her?’

Angela glanced at Adam. ‘Daddy will be able to arrange that with me. We’ll let Mummy sleep for now and once the doctors say you can visit, you’ll be able to come back. Is that all right?’

‘Not really,’ Izzy said, ‘because I miss her, but I know I have to be brave. Daddy said so.’

Mia had to swallow hard to prevent the threatened tears from falling. Poor Izzy.

‘I’m glad I can rely on you,’ Angela said. ‘And Daddy misses her too, so you can help each other, can’t you?’

‘Yes,’ Izzy said, smiling at Adam. ‘And Uncle Johnny is going to let me make pancakes and eat them all.’

Angela grinned. ‘That sounds like the perfect thing to do right now. You enjoy that.’ She stood up again. ‘I’ll get back to the ICU now. Adam, I’ll bring you in shortly to see your wife. Did the doctor explain only one visitor tonight?’

‘Yes,’ Adam said, ‘but Charlie would like to stay here. Is that OK?’

‘Of course,’ Angela said. ‘The coffee shop stays open until ten o’clock. There’s a takeaway just outside the main gate and a coffee machine down the hall. Right, I’ll check on Sarah and be back as quickly as I can.’

She went out and Adam sank into the nearest chair. Charlie went over and put his hand on Adam’s shoulder. ‘You doing all right there, son?’

‘Just feel like I’m in a nightmare,’ Adam said quietly. ‘How did this happen?’

‘OK, Izzy-bizzy,’ Johnny said, clapping his hands. ‘Let’s get on home, shall we? Those pancakes won’t cook themselves. You say goodnight to Daddy and Granddad and we’ll see them in the morning.’

‘Night, Daddy,’ Izzy said, wrapping her arms around his neck. ‘Tell Mummy I love her.’

‘I will, Sweet-pea,’ Adam said, kissing her cheek. ‘Although she already knows it – and you know that, don’t you?’

Izzy nodded. ‘I tell her every day.’

‘Me too,’ Adam said, his voice raspy with emotion.

Johnny bent down and hugged Adam. ‘Hang in there, mate,’ he said. ‘And ring if you need anything at all.’

Riley squeezed Adam’s hand, then Mia went over to him. He stood up and enveloped her in his arms. ‘Thanks for getting her here so fast, Mia.’

‘We’ll come through this,’ Mia said. ‘I’ll pick up some stuff and be back soon.’

They drove home to the sound of Izzy’s nervous chatter. Mia stared out of the window, pushing her fears back down her throat and deep into her abdomen where they lay, causing cramps and pain but at least allowing her to breathe and function.

When they got home, Izzy ran up to Riley’s room to see which side of the bed she’d sleep on.

‘Seriously? Does she have to sleep in my actual bed?’

‘Jesus, Riley!’ Mia hissed. ‘Just work with us on this, just for one night.’

‘But I’m not going to get any sleep! She’s like a kitten on speed.’

‘Could you for one second not think about yourself and consider the feelings of your seven-year-old cousin whose mother is … is …’

‘Is what? You haven’t even told me properly. You’re all banging on to Izzy about Sarah sleeping. Like, hello, I’m not thick. Is she in a coma or something?’

‘Keep your voice down,’ Mia said, her every nerve on edge. ‘Yes, she’s in a sort of coma. She’s suffered a brain injury.’

Riley’s face drained of colour. ‘Shit, really?’