‘I’ll get help.’ Jensen seized my face, planted a kiss on my lips and darted out of the door.

I stood there, frozen to the spot, staring at the mess on my legs.

‘Hang on in there, tiddler,’ I whispered, stroking my tummy. ‘It’s okay.’

The pain down my side was still there. More of a dull ache now than a stabbing pain and I stumbled back on to the sofa, wishing more than anything that Mum was here to hold my hand and tell me everything was going to be all right. It would be all right, wouldn’t it?

Chapter 34

I was probably only alone for a minute but to me it felt like time had stood still. I reached a hand between my legs. It felt warm and sticky and I didn’t need to look to know what was happening. The towel I’d used to dry my face and hair was on the floor by my feet. I reached down and hitched myself up, sliding it underneath me to protect the sofa. Thinking about the sofa was much easier than thinking about anything else.

I heard voices and several pairs of feet running towards the cottage. Evie came through the door first, bringing a gust of wind and rain with her followed by one of the paramedics. Lastly Jensen appeared and shut the door.

‘How’s Godfrey?’ I managed to say.

The paramedic stuck his thumb up. ‘No bones broken; my colleague’s treating him for shock.’

Evie skittered across the room towards me and grabbed my hand. ‘I’m not letting this happen to you. I’m not.’

She was soaked to the skin, her blonde hair plastered across her tear-stained cheeks. We stared at each other, and I knew she was thinking of her miscarriage and how her chance of motherhood had ebbed away. But this wasn’t the same; she’d done nothing wrong, whereas I’d behaved irresponsibly, without thought to my baby.

‘I’m sure I’m fine,’ I sniffed, giving her a thin smile as she brushed the tears away from my face. ‘Probably a storm in a teacup.’

‘Sure.’ She nodded and swallowed, her own eyes brimming with tears. ‘I’ll get you a tissue.’

‘Loo roll in the bathroom,’ I said.

The paramedic was a big, broad-shouldered redhead with a beard. He calmly knelt beside me and felt for my pulse. ‘I’m Hugh.’

Jensen hovered around, fidgeting. ‘What can I do? Boil a kettle, fetch towels?’

Hugh grinned at me. ‘Somebody’s been watching too much Call the Midwife.’

I tried to laugh but it came out as a shaky sob. ‘Just hold me please, Jensen.’

He sat down, wrapped one arm around my shoulders and held my hand tightly.

‘Let’s see what’s going on then, shall we?’ The paramedic opened a big bag and took out a stethoscope. ‘Do you mind lifting your top up?’