That list was heading onto a second page when she heard the front door open and Joel’s voice.

She was surprised. He’d been gone for less than an hour. “Did you forget something? I’ve made good progress here. I’ve already—” The words dried out when she saw his expression. “What?”

“Milly called. Check your phone.”

She hadn’t looked at her phone since the night before. “You took it away from me.”

“You’re right, I did.” He disappeared through to the living room and reappeared holding her phone. “Here.”

“What’s this about?” She switched the phone on and saw the missed call from Milly and the voice mail waiting for her.

She pressed Play.

Nic, it’s me. Mum has collapsed. There was a pause in the message, and it was obvious Milly was crying. We’re in the hospital. I just—I wanted to let you know in case you were wondering where I was.

Connie in hospital?

Why? How?

Nicole played the message again as she grabbed her bag and a sweater.

Joel watched her. “What are you doing?”

She dropped her phone into the bag. “I have to go to her.”

“She didn’t ask you to do that.”

“I know.” But she’d called. That was what they did when one of them was in trouble, wasn’t it? “I’m going anyway.”

“Nicole, you can’t.”

“You heard her. She’s terrified and upset. This is her mother, and they’re so close. She will be worried sick.”

She found her shoes and tugged them on.

“Wait.” He put his hand on her arm. “You’re not thinking this through. You came here to escape. To hide from all the attention. If you do this, that will be it. Everyone will see you.”

Nerves rippled through her, and she felt a moment of sadness that her brief summer hideaway was over. She’d had a glimpse of how other people lived and she wanted more of it.

“This isn’t about me.” She picked up her bag. “It’s about Milly. I let her down before, and there is nothing I can do about that, but I won’t do it again. This time I intend to be there for her. I want to be there for her. Even if she’s still angry. Even if she turns me away. I need to be there.”

Chapter 24Milly

Milly paced the hospital corridor trying to stay calm and failing miserably. She kept reliving that moment when her mother had crumpled at her feet. Fortunately the ambulance had arrived quickly and so had Nanna Peg, who she’d called immediately after the ambulance.

“I’ll stay with Zoe.” For once Nanna Peg hadn’t been smiling. “You go, pet. Follow that ambulance.”

Milly had done that and rushed to the hospital, breaking speed limits on the way.