I wasn’t certain what he meant by that, but then I understood. I felt my eyes widen. Oh. Right. Well … maybe. Or perhaps he was just being complimentary? Saying I was too much of a catch, in a general way, to be on my own? I mean, not right now, obviously, in my pyjamas and coat. But trying to buoy me up? Yes, that was it. So kind. Which he was, I realized, as he went off and came back with a couple of coffees. And if Mum died, I could really do with someone like him. Strong, caring, dependable. So I didn’t have to deal with my grief-stricken, elderly father alone. I’d always known Mum would go first. She was so much frailer. And I also knew that this lengthy wait I was having was because she was struggling in there. Poor darling Mummy. I hoped at least it would be quick. If it was as bad as that. I felt a bit faint.

‘Shouldn’t you ring Helena?’ I was startled. Then I realized he really did fear the worst, and I also remembered this was how Martin, his father, had gone. He obviously knew more than me. Knew it probably would be quick.

‘How long did your father …?’

‘Six hours. From the time they took him in.’

‘Shit.’ I regarded him in horror. ‘I thought we were talking days.’ I scrambled for my phone. He stayed my hand.

‘Listen, every case is different, obviously. Let’s find out more, first. Have you asked at the nurses’ station?’

I nodded, suddenly feeling really quite faint. I put my coffee on the floor, about to spill it. That wasn’t helping either. The caffeine. ‘But they were hopeless. And snappy, too, which is unnecessary.’

He looked at the redhead, who was eating a Curly Wurly. So not that stretched. Dan got up and strode to the counter. I saw him override her excuses and ask to see a doctor. Explained that we’d been here hours; some information, surely? The sulky nurse sighed. Then she picked up the phone.

‘Someone will be with you shortly,’ she told him.

‘Well, if they’re not, I’ll go and find my mother myself,’ Dan told her.

‘Your mother,’ I whispered, as he sat down.

‘Think I got away with it.’