As he crossed his legs I realized that this was what had been missing from my life. Someone who looked after me. Looked out for me. I felt really light-headed now. Dan told me to put my head between my knees, which I did. I fervently hoped I wasn’t going to pass out. Once, when Michael had … anyway. I’d obviously been standing in one position for too long. In the broom cupboard. He’d had to bring me round. He’d looked scared. Perhaps he’d wondered if he’d killed me? Dan had his hand on my back as I leaned forward, which was nice. Comforting. He stroked between my shoulder blades and told me to breathe deeply. I did. Felt better. Was able, at length, to sit up. I gave him a weak smile. He put his arm around my shoulders and gave them a squeeze. I didn’t feel nearly so alone. He left it there as I recovered.

Suddenly the swing doors flew open. A young male doctor, in jeans and a checked shirt, white coat flapping, strode through. He had a stethoscope around his neck. He scanned the waiting room.

‘Mrs Palmer?’

I stood up immediately. ‘Yes?’

He came across and smiled. ‘Well, it’s not often I’m the bearer of good news, but your mother is stabilizing. Looking a bit better already, in fact. She’s suffering from a urinary tract infection, but a drip and antibiotics will sort that out. And the suspected pneumonia was just that, suspected. She has a chest infection, which presents similarly, and will likewise respond to the penicillin. You brought her in just in time. She should make a full recovery.’

I stared at him. Couldn’t speak for a moment. Then: ‘Oh! Oh wow.’ Dazzled, I turned to Dan. ‘Oh, Dan – isn’t that marvellous?’

Dan gave a thin smile but something passed over his eyes. A shadow perhaps. ‘It is. It really is. Wonderful news,’ he said flatly.

Later on, and with the benefit of hindsight, I came to wonder if this moment was pivotal, even if, at the time, I didn’t realize it. Dan had hoped I’d need him, and in that moment, I didn’t. And he knew it.

28

‘What a relief,’ I beamed at the doctor. ‘I cannot thank you enough.’

‘Well, as I say, prompt action on your part, so we caught it. Would you both like to …?’

‘Oh no, she’s Lucy’s mother,’ said Dan, and actually, I was already on my way. Giving Dan a radiant smile and mouthing ‘thank you!’, I fairly skipped off down the corridor beside the doctor. I did turn back briefly and the swing doors had been propped open by a nurse, so I was able to see him still standing at the end there. He cut a slightly forlorn-looking figure, a long way away. He raised his hand in farewell.