She shrugs, but it’s got to hurt, being spat at and told to go back to where you came from when you were born here. Especially when all you’re trying to do is help. I honestly don’t know why she bothers.

I’d tell the patient to Die then and get myself fired halfway through my first shift.

‘Are you at least getting paid for going in early, Mum?’

‘Of course not.’

‘Don’t go. Stay here and have dinner with us. Daddy will be home soon.’

‘I’d love to, baby girl.’ She sighs wistfully and I believe her. ‘But I can’t miss this meeting. They’ve deliberately scheduled it between shifts so everyone will be there. They’ll notice if I’m not.’

I remember Gillian then and for one mad moment, I consider not telling her so we don’t have to have this conversation. But if they see each other at this meeting and Gillian tells her that she saw me in town, my mother will be even more pissed off. I’d better tell her now before Gillian grasses me up.

‘I saw your friend today,’ I say carefully.

‘Which friend?’

‘Gillian.’

‘Gillian Lawrence?’

‘I don’t know her surname. She said she works with you in A&E.’

‘Gillian Woźniak?’ My mother turns to me with a frown. ‘Where did you see her?’

‘In town.’ I hold my breath and it’s like I’ve lit the touch paper and now I’m waiting for the BOOM.

Her whole face changes. ‘When were you in town?’

‘Just now. With Adara.’ I say it with a shrug, like it’s no big deal, and I’m hoping she agrees.

‘Why weren’t you at school?’

‘I was, but my trip finished early and—’

‘Trip?’ she interrupts and I’m grateful because I haven’t thought of an excuse to be in town yet.

‘To Rampion Wind Farm, remember?’

She huffs, letting me know that she does. ‘You should have come straight home.’

‘Ad needed something so I tagged along.’

‘What did she need?’

My brain scrambles for something. I can’t say lipstick, obviously, and I can’t say a book from the library because if Gillian tells her that she saw us at the Clock Tower, the library is nowhere near.

‘She had to return something to Marks & Spencer for her mother,’ I say with a triumphant smile.

I don’t know where it comes from, but if I could kiss my brain, I would.

‘Such a good girl,’ she murmurs, turning the roti with her fingers to check the other side.

I don’t know how she manages to compliment Adara and insult me at the same time.

She’s quite skilled, my mother.

‘Ashana, what’s the time now?’

‘Four fifty-two.’