It seems so unfair that she’s lost her job; I understand risks can’t be taken when it comes to patients, but nurses are only human. Fallible. Although we’d hate to think it, when our health is in their hands, the health of our loved ones, sometimes doctors make mistakes too.

I should know.

I am one.

Was.

I was an orthopaedic surgeon until a few weeks ago. Not to save lives as such – that weight of responsibility is heavy to bear – but to salvage them. I was so grateful that Aidan’s shattered pelvis had been pieced back together after his riding accident I decided to specialize in orthopaedics. I have rebuilt bodies. Rebuilt lives. Made the immobile, mobile. Granted people the greatest freedom of all, the freedom to walk again. It’s not that I believe I’m a God, but we all do what we can, don’t we?

Often it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Smiling at someone in the street. Casual conversation with a stranger in the check-out queue. Who knows what dark thoughts lurk inside someone’s mind? What impact a friendly gesture can make. Kindness is contagious – be a carrier. But Agnes needs more than a smile, a kind word.

‘I could lend you some money?’ I offer. Although we’ve currently dropped to one wage our savings account is healthy, for now.

‘Thanks. But I couldn’t. I hear you’ve left the hospital?’

‘Yes, I resigned to spend more time with Kieron.’ It’s half the truth. ‘But… Agnes.’

‘It’s okay.’ She touches my arm. ‘I couldn’t just take money without earning it, it wouldn’t be right.’ She gives a wry laugh. ‘Not that anything feels right. How could… God… let a child die? How could medicine? Everything I trained for… I should have been able… I…’ She dissolves into tears.

‘I know.’ I hug her again, ignoring the curious glance of a woman slowly pushing a trolley past us.

Agnes’s eyes are full of anguish as they meet mine. ‘If I could just save one more child, make it right, but now I’ve been struck off I can’t even do that. I just…’ She shakes her head. ‘I’d better get home and fill this application in.’

‘Wait. I can ask Aidan if he has any jobs at the practice? I know it’s not exactly saving children but you could make a child very happy by saving their pet?’

She swipes at the tears on her cheeks with her sleeve. ‘Would he have me… after?’

‘I’m sure he will.’ I’m confident he’ll understand.

I punch her number into my phone and promise that I’ll be in touch before I hurry away. I’ve been far longer than my promised fifteen minutes.

But what can go wrong in fifteen minutes?

When I get home, I know.

Everything.

Chapter Twenty

Aidan