My mother was now in a large ward full of elderly women. Every bed was occupied and they all looked terribly old and frail. Most were asleep. Luckily, her bed was by the window, which made it relatively private. She blinked and smiled weakly in recognition as I approached.

‘Dehydration,’ she told me, and I realized she knew exactly who I was. ‘So they’ve had me on this thing,’ she nodded at the saline drip running into her arm, ‘for ages now.’

‘I always say you don’t drink enough.’ I sat down, kissing her papery cheek.

‘Actually, you always say I drink too much.’

I grinned. ‘Fair enough.’ Jokes too. That lapse in mental control earlier had frightened me. ‘Oh Mum, I’m so pleased you’re OK. How do you feel?’

‘A bit feeble, and a bit chesty too. But apparently I’ve had some extremely strong antibiotics which should do the trick. They’re good, here.’ I thought of the sulky nurse outside. But good where it mattered, at the sharp end, thank the Lord. Thank the blessed NHS. Her eyes were shutting a bit and although we were holding hands, her grip was weak.

‘Mum, I’m going to leave you to sleep now, but I’ll be back later, OK? I’ll bring Dad.’

Her eyes fluttered open. ‘Oh no. No need to fuss.’

‘He’ll want to see you. And I’ll bring anything you need. Your pashmina, maybe? And a clean nightie and sponge bag.’

‘Oh, I won’t need all that. I’ll be going home later today.’

‘I doubt it,’ I told her firmly. ‘No saline drips at home, but I’ll check with the doctor. I should think a couple of days.’ She looked alarmed, but I’d spotted the young doctor again, about to leave another patient. He was giving an elderly lady a kind smile and patting her hand before he went on his way. I beetled up.

‘I’m so sorry,’ I breathed, as a nurse looked on reprovingly. ‘But my mother, in the bed by the window. How long d’you think she’ll be here?’

He glanced across. ‘She can go home tomorrow,’ he told me. ‘As long as she doesn’t overdo it.’

‘She won’t,’ I told him.

‘But I’d like her on that drip for another eight hours.’ And with that he was gone, followed by the watchful nurse. I hastened back to my mother.

‘Just one night,’ I told her, and saw her face clear with relief. I’d deliberately pitched it high so that this came as good news. She relaxed into the pillows.

‘Well, I still think it’s a silly fuss. I’m as right as rain now, but I expect I can manage that.’ She slurred the last few words, her eyelids flickering. I squeezed her hand gently and told her I’d be back, early evening, with Dad. And then I left.