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Izzy’s sobs subsided and she pulled back from Adam.

‘Are you OK?’

‘Yes, I’m fine now, because I know what’s happening.’

Adam looked puzzled. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Mummy is going to rest until my Communion Day so she’s all better and able to be at my party. That’s why she won’t wake up now. She’s just not ready. But she would never ever miss my Communion Day. I know that for one hundred per cent sure. That’s what’s going to happen.’

Izzy stared at her mother, smiling to herself. ‘I’d like to go back outside, Daddy,’ she said, standing up. ‘I’ll see Mummy again soon.’

When they stepped outside the room, Mia and Charlie rushed over to Izzy. Angela hovered in the background, keeping an eye on everyone.

‘How are you, pet?’ Mia asked.

‘I’m fine. I know what’s happening now.’ Izzy filled them in on her Communion Day theory.

Mia looked at Adam. He shrugged helplessly. Charlie coughed. No one knew what to say.

‘Well, now.’ Angela bustled over. ‘I need to hear more about this Communion Day party, I want all the details. Come here with me – I found some chocolate for you. It’ll be good for you to have a bit of sugar after all that.’

Angela expertly guided Izzy away while the others stood outside Sarah’s room, staring at each other.

Adam rubbed his eyes. ‘Christ, that was awful. Was I wrong to bring her in?’

‘No,’ Mia assured him. ‘She needed to see her.’

‘And Charlie was right. She wasn’t going to let up until she did,’ Johnny added.

‘It all seems so real now, seeing it through Izzy’s eyes. Is Sarah going to wake up? Why can’t the doctors tell us what the hell is going on? Why can’t they give us a straight answer? All this waiting is driving me insane.’ Adam thumped the wall in frustration.

‘Let’s go out to Reception and sit down for a minute,’ Charlie said.

They filed out and sat on the couches facing each other. Olivia fussed over Charlie, trying to force-feed him grapes.

‘He doesn’t want any,’ Mia snapped, as Charlie said no for the third time.

‘He needs to keep his strength up,’ Olivia retorted. ‘This is not going to end well.’

‘What do you mean?’ Adam glared at her.

Olivia shifted in her seat. ‘You need to prepare yourselves for the worst. Severe brain injury is almost impossible to come back from. I think you need to accept the strong possibility that Sarah will not survive this.’

Adam stood up and waved a finger in Olivia’s face. ‘I think you should leave.’

‘Hold on now,’ Charlie said.

‘No!’ Adam shouted. ‘I’m hanging on by a thread here and I do not want anyone telling me Sarah’s going to die. Leave, please.’

Olivia stood up. ‘I’m not trying to upset you, Adam, but you have to face the truth at some point.’

‘Since when do you have a degree in neurology?’ Mia snapped. ‘Who are you to tell us what’s going to happen to Sarah? What the hell do you know?’

‘Easy now, let’s all calm down,’ Charlie said.

‘Charlie,’ Adam’s voice shook with rage, ‘I would really appreciate it if Olivia left now. I have enough on my plate and she is not helping.’

Olivia picked up her bag and headed for the door. ‘I honestly didn’t mean to cause offence, but the truth is often a bitter pill to swallow.’