‘Thank you,’ I say, tears brimming in my eyes. ‘That would be so helpful.’

‘Hey, it’s no bother,’ she says gently.

‘Thank you, Sonia,’ says Amanda. ‘Now I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave you as my next appointment is in five minutes. Oh, before I forget, here’s a list of emergency numbers. Mine is at the top. If you need me at all please do call from the landline here.’

She hands me the list and I put it on the bed.

‘I’ll leave you with Sonia. She’s going to take you to the bank to check your account. You said you had a small savings account, separate from your joint account, is that right?’

I nod my head.

‘Well, the contents of that account could help you until the benefits come through,’ says Amanda. ‘Which usually take around six weeks.’

I smile politely, though I know there’s just under two hundred pounds in that account. I have no idea if that will last me six weeks.

‘Then once you’ve sorted everything out at the bank it’s on to the Job Centre to register,’ says Amanda. ‘I know it’s not the nicest thing in the world but every little bit counts at this stage. Oh, and I almost forgot.’

She opens her bag and pulls out a book.

‘You left this behind when they discharged you,’ she says, handing it to me. ‘Your ICU nurse gave it to Mike to pass on.’

‘What is it?’ I say, taking the book from her outstretched hand.

‘They call it your ICU diary,’ says Amanda. ‘Every patient who has been in the unit long-term is given one of these.’

‘A diary?’

I touch the shiny plastic cover, see my name written at the top in black biro.

‘Well, they say diary,’ says Amanda. ‘It’s actually more a record of your time in the unit. They wrote in it each day, giving little updates on your progress.’

‘They?’

‘The ICU staff,’ says Amanda. ‘Mainly Claire and Dr Elms I guess.’

‘But why would I need it now?’ I say, placing the book on the bed.

‘I think some patients find it helpful to look back and read what happened while they were in the coma,’ says Amanda. ‘Others don’t. It’s entirely up to you, Maggie. But it’s there if you feel you want to find out more.’

‘Thanks,’ I say, though I know I won’t be reading it. The last thing I need is to be reminded of that place.

‘Right, well I’ll be off then,’ says Amanda. ‘See you soon, Maggie.’