‘Have I? I don’t even remember doing that.’

‘Just an hour or so ago, but you were still very groggy. They’ll be back again once you’ve rested.’

‘Am I all right? Not going to die or anything?’

‘A head wound, bruises, concussion, scalded skin in places. You were holding a boiling kettle, apparently. You’ve been very lucky it wasn’t a lot worse, but I can assure you you’re not going to die. A tough cookie like you … it’ll take more than a bump on the head. And do you really think your parents would have left you here alone if that was on the cards?’ He attempted a laugh but it came out more like a sob.

‘Why are you here, Joe?’

‘I had to come. I care about you.’

‘Care about me? What exactly does that mean?’

‘We’re friends, aren’t we? Good friends. That counts for a lot. To me anyway. We’ve known each other for ever, Prue. Been through so much together, good times and bad. You’re like the sister I never had, the one I wish I’d had.’

‘I know. Same here. About you being like a brother, I mean. Shame we confused it with something else, isn’t it?’

‘I do love you, you know. Always have. But just … not like that, if you know what I mean.’

‘I’m beginning to.’

‘Maybe this isn’t the time to talk about this?’

‘Why not? We’ve put it off long enough, don’t you think? The big conversation. The why you never loved me like that. Why we’re not meant to live happily ever after …’

‘I’m not sure you’d really want to hear it.’

‘Try me.’

‘Maybe not now. You’re tired, hurt …’

‘Yes, now. And this is only physical hurt. It will heal. What you caused me was more like mental hurt, emotional hurt. Have you any idea how badly my confidence has been knocked over the last few years? For heaven’s sake, Joe, I had a boyfriend who went off to uni and then worked miles away and who seemed really reluctant to come back, one who hardly touched me when he did. It didn’t feel like love, not proper love. You weren’t ripping my clothes off or looking like you wanted to. And when we did … you know … where were those fluttery feelings I knew we were supposed to feel? They weren’t there, were they?’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘All I really wanted was … what Sian had.’

‘Ralph, you mean? You wanted my brother?’

‘Oh, don’t be ridiculous. Stop comparing yourself with Ralph. It’s not about Ralph. None of it is. No, what I wanted was romance, passion, lust! It was never really there, was it? I needed you to really want me. Fancy me. Have trouble keeping your hands off me. But you didn’t. And in my head that had to be my fault. I wasn’t pretty enough, sexy enough, maybe even clever enough, especially once you’d gone and got your degree. I was just plain old Prue, country girl, and coming back to be with me wasn’t enough for you. I wasn’t enough for you …’