He is cheerful and reassuring, echoes most of what Lochan has told me already and assures me that although Willa’s shoulder will be sore for a few days and she will have to wear a sling, it should be back to normal in a week. We each take a seat on a spongy, low-slung chair and, holding up large X-rays, the doctor shows us the before and after pictures, explains the procedure that took place and what to expect next.

I’m furious at him for trying to shush me, for keeping this from me, for treating me like one of the children and just repeating that everything is going to be all right.īefore I have the chance to quiz him any more, a short, balding doctor comes out through the double doors, introduces himself to me as Dr Maguire and shows us back into the small room.

’ He puts out a reassuring hand and again I dodge it. ‘She has to stay in hospital until Mum comes to fetch her?’ I hiss. A head pops out from a door further down and I try to reel myself in. ‘So what now?’ I am no longer speaking in measured tones. ‘I know, I’m sorry, but I figured there was nothing we could do. He’s staying in his dad’s flat with his girlfriend. Yesterday after school I went round, and that’s when Luke told me. ‘I’ve been trying to call her about the bills. Either she forgot her charger or she’s switched it off deliberately.’ Lochan goes back to lean against the windowsill, as if the weight of his body is too great for his legs to bear. I gape at him, horror coursing through my veins. He just said he thought – he thought they’d be back on Sunday.’ Somewhere in Devon, but Dave’s son doesn’t seem to know where. Lowering his arm, he swallows and walks slowly back towards the window. ‘No.’ Lochan holds his hand up in a gesture of defeat. And I’ll try the pub and Dave’s mobile too-’ So I gave them her mobile but it just went straight to voicemail-’ I told them that she was abroad on business, but they insisted on a number. Lochan lets his arms fall with a hopeless, desperate look. He approaches me, his hands reaching for my shoulders, but I back away, refusing to be pacified by any more meaningless words of comfort. ‘Make what worse? What are you talking about?’ For a moment I am almost tempted to kick him, but then I hear him gasp, ‘Don’t make a scene, you mustn’t make a scene. ‘I don’t give a shit! She’s my sister and she’s hurt and so I’m going in to see her and no one can stop me!’ I begin to shout.īut Lochan is forcibly restraining me and, to my astonishment, I suddenly find myself grappling with him in this long, bright, empty hospital corridor. ‘They want her to sleep off the sedative – they won’t let you in until she wakes up-’

‘No!’ He catches me as I try to push past.

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