“I’d rather not,” said John. “I’m not an emergency and I don’t fancy sitting in an A&E waiting room for hours just to be told I can go home and rest. No offense.”

“None taken,” said Mark. “I wouldn’t want to be waiting around either. Have you got someone at home? Or anyone who can stay with you tonight? I would feel happier knowing you had help at hand, should you need it.”

“He can stay here,” said Annie. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” John protested.

“Don’t argue with me. You’re staying here,” said Annie.

Mark went back to the ambulance to get a stretcher, and John and Annie followed him up the stairs, Annie walking behind to steady John if he needed it.

“I’m not wearing any trousers,” said John when they reached the café door.

“Worried the sight of your legs will be too much for the book club?” asked Annie. She looked down at the marks left on the wooden floor by his wet socks. “I think you need to take those socks off. You’ll get trench foot.”

“You seem determined to get me naked.”

“When you’re my age and single you’ve got to get your kicks when you can.”

John chuckled. “Far be it from me to deny you your kicks, Ms. Sharpe,” he said, reaching down—foil blanket crinkling—to remove his socks. “Satisfied?”

“Hold on for one second,” she said, grabbing one of the pairs of sweatpants from the banister. “Do you want to pop these on to cover your modesty?”

“Oh, now you’re worried about my modesty.” He gave a croaky laugh. And with some difficulty he pulled the sweatpants on. They were too short by miles, but then the foil blanket didn’t exactly ooze high fashion either.

“Come on, then, wet-pants,” said Annie. “Let’s put your fans’ minds at rest.”

—

For several minutes John was swamped by women. Gemma clucked about him like a mother hen, while Maeve forced another cup of strong tea with two upon him.

“You look like you’ve just run a marathon,” said Sally.

“I feel like it too.” John tried to laugh but erupted into another fit of coughing, which saw Gemma’s clucking go into overdrive.

It was warm in the café, and Annie was pleased to note John’s shivering beginning to subside a little. Then Georgina and Mark came carefully into the café with Alfred strapped onto the stretcher and everything went quiet. Alfred’s eyes were closed, but they fluttered open as a little gasp escaped Gemma’s lips.

“Thank you, John,” he croaked.

“Anytime,” said John. He turned to Annie. “I’m going to follow him up in the car.”