‘Don’t freak out, I think I left them in the hall,’ he said, and she wanted to murder him. The small suitcase hadn’t been big enough for her slippers. She’d asked him to get the larger case down from the attic but he’d refused. ‘For a pair of slippers? I’ll take them in me hand,’ he’d said.

‘God Almighty, Lenny, I can’t walk to surgery in bare feet.’

He retrieved the high-heeled shoes she’d insisted on wearing. He couldn’t understand why she’d wear a pair of heels into a hospital. ‘Because I fucking want to,’ she said. Now, standing in a queue for the one toilet in the area, she felt stupid in her hospital gown, light blue towelling robe and red stilettos.

A woman with a hunch and a face like a chewed-up toffee looked from her stilettos to her face. ‘Good look,’ she said.

‘Thanks.’

Lenny was holding her up, her knees were knocking and although she was freezing cold she was sweating.

‘You all right, love?’ the woman said.

‘Grand.’

‘You can go before me if you like,’ she said kindly.

‘No, honestly, I’m fine.’

‘You don’t look fine.’

‘I am, healthy as a horse. Isn’t that right, Lenny?’

‘Nothing wrong with her.’

‘If you say so,’ she said.

When she returned to the room, her seat was taken so she leaned against the wall with Lenny, waiting. She wanted to slump to the floor, but if hospital staff found her there they’d probably object. Germs or something. A few more patients were gowned up now; they were speaking with their partners or friends in hushed tones. She felt sick. Oh, God, what am I doing?

When her name was called she stopped breathing just for a millisecond, long enough to ensure a small splutter followed by a ragged cough. Oh, God. Lisa was now standing in front of her, smiling. ‘Time to go.’

‘It’s OK, I’ve got her, lead the way,’ Lenny said, and Lisa nodded and turned and walked far enough ahead to allow Grace and Lenny a last few minutes together before surgery. He held onto her as she stumbled down the hall towards the door that swung open and closed behind Lisa. She slowed almost to a stop. Oh God. He pulled her along. Oh God. She dragged her feet. Oh God.

‘You’re all right, Gracie,’ he said, but he sounded tearful.

‘I’m fine,’ she said, but then her knees buckled and she was crying. ‘I have to. Please.’