‘I know this is a big moment,’ Rachel said carefully, ‘but I also know that it won’t just be about this debate. The NHS still has to agree a price with the drug companies, even if Parliament puts pressure on both sides. What if, even after all this, it doesn’t work? What if we’re still sat here in twelve months’ time, and Harry’s lost another year’s lung function? I just feel… flat.’

Holly came out from behind her counter and put her arms around her sister. ‘I know it’s just another step on a very long road,’ she said softly. ‘But this issue has enough support among MPs of all parties now that, if nothing else, the weight of public opinion will put pressure on everyone involved. I don’t know what the outcome of today will be, but Charlie and I will be by your side, fighting for Harry.’

Rachel hugged her sister back, and, shaking her head, gave a smile. ‘I know. And I appreciate everything you and Charlie have done so far. I’m just so used to having my hopes raised and then dashed.’

‘Then you’d better sit next to me at the pub,’ Holly replied. ‘And we can celebrate together when Charlie smashes it. Or commiserate if he massively cocks it up.’

‘Sounds like a deal,’ Rachel offered a tentative smile.

Once Holly had secured Isabella for a shift, she headed over to The Travellers’ Rest just in time to grab a drink before the debate started. She felt even more nervous when the camera panned around the chamber, and she caught sight of Charlie, looking paler than usual but carefully composed, sitting close to the Speaker’s chair at the front of the hall.

‘There’s our boy,’ Mike Sullivan, jovial landlord of the pub commented, and a cheer went up from the assembled Willowbury residents who had managed to shut up shop and get away to witness the debate. ‘Looks a bit nervy, though.’

‘Wouldn’t you be?’ Holly said as she picked up the coffees she’d ordered for herself and Rachel. ‘Apart from that question at PMQs, he’s not spoken in the chamber since, and this is a big debate that he’s responsible for bringing.’

‘Absolutely,’ Mike agreed. ‘You look a bit peaky yourself,’ he murmured. ‘Have a couple of giant chocolate cookies on the house.’

‘Thanks, Mike,’ Holly smiled. ‘I’ll eat them if I can manage to uncross my fingers!’ She surmised that her nerves were telling on her face, too.

Grabbing a seat off to the left of the big screen at one of the bar tables, she passed Rachel’s coffee to her, and drummed her fingers nervously on the tabletop.