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Rob nodded, but he seemed half scared. ‘Adam,’ he said, moving towards his brother, ‘Sarah would really hate this. Mia is willing to sit and talk it over, so why don’t we go into the waiting room and do that?’

‘I want to be with my wife now,’ Adam said. ‘Maybe we can talk another time.’ With that, he grabbed some protective clothing and walked straight back into the room, closing the door behind him.

‘Would you like me to ask Dr Mayhew to come down and talk to him?’ Angela asked.

‘Is he a shrink?’ Riley asked. ‘Because that’s what he needs. He’s lost it completely.’

‘I’m so sorry,’ Rob said, and Mia could see he was holding back tears. ‘This isn’t Adam. He’s not sleeping or eating. He’s crazy with grief.’

‘He needs help,’ Johnny said. ‘Maybe the doctor can do something.’

Rob shook his head. ‘When he’s like this, there’s no point. I don’t think Mayhew could get through to him, especially when he’s saying it’s over.’

‘I’ll ring one of the social workers,’ Angela said. ‘I’ll explain the situation and ask them to come and talk to him, not about the decision, just about what he’s feeling. Would that be OK?’

‘I guess,’ Rob said.

Mia went over and hugged him. ‘Rob, this isn’t your fault. You’re doing your best.’

‘I feel like I’m losing my brother,’ Rob said, then roughly rubbed away the tear that slid down his cheek.

‘I’m not going to stay away from my sister,’ Mia said, ‘but we’ll leave now. It might help him to calm down if we’re gone. But if you need any time out, our door is always open.’

‘Thanks,’ Rob said. ‘I’ll get him a coffee and bring it in.’

‘You do that,’ Angela said. ‘I’ll make that phone call and we’ll try to help him get things in perspective. The doctors are due down to check on Sarah in half an hour, so that will be a chance to talk it over as well.’

Mia, Johnny and Riley said goodbye to Rob and walked slowly through the corridors.

‘Thank God Charlie wasn’t here for that,’ Mia said.

‘When will the baby die?’ Riley asked. ‘I’m not being a bitch, I just want it to be over. Especially for you, Mum.’

Mia touched her daughter’s cheek. ‘I’ve absolutely no idea what will happen, Riley,’ she said softly. ‘It’s just day by day.’

Day by day Sarah was crumbling into death. Day by day Adam was becoming more unhinged. Day by day Mia’s heart was breaking more than she’d ever thought possible. Day by day they kept sinking further and further into this nightmare. Would it ever end?

37

Riley tried to concentrate on her arguments in favour ofLittle Womenwhile Shocko howled along to an off-key guitar riff behind her. He had a large red bump on his eyebrow where his mother’s wish had come true: an infection had developed. He’d had to take out the eyebrow ring and now he looked as if he had a huge zit above his eye.

‘Seriously!’ Riley swung around in her desk chair and glared at him.

‘What? I’m trying to work on a new song. And it’s not easy to play when you’re sitting on a beanbag.’

‘Maybe you should switch to the piano.’

‘I don’t own one.’

‘Fine. Harmonica, then.’

‘Like Bob Dylan?’

‘Yes.’

Shocko grinned. ‘Cool. Maybe I should. And he didn’t have a great voice. I mean, I know he had good lyrics and all, but his voice wasn’t so great. Maybe the harmonica would suit me better. I know my limitations. I can write amazing songs, but I don’t have the best voice.’

‘Neither did Leonard Cohen.’