‘She’s going to be okay, Rhys,’ I say, and he lets out a cough of air, as if I’ve just given oxygen to a fear he daren’t consider. ‘She was just exhausted, after all she’d put her body and self through. She should never have left the hospital, never mind anything else. Her body just shut down to protect her. Sleep, food and patience, she’ll be fine,’ I reassure.

‘And then?’ he says, looking back to me. ‘What then?’

‘How do you mean?’ I ask. I understand what he’s asking, but I want him to say it out loud.

‘I’ve arrived. In life, in truth, I’m suddenly and finally here…’ He looks up pleadingly. ‘I don’t think I can do this if there’s a chance she’s going to give up again.’

I take his hands. ‘Rhys, she gave up because she was frightened. Maybe she doesn’t need to be anymore.’ I shift to the edge of my seat, finding the facts of the situation give me a focus, some strength to work out what’s required. ‘Rhys, you don’t have to rush anything. With her or with James. You don’t have to become happy families overnight. You don’t ever have to, if that doesn’t feel right.’

‘But it does. And that’s the point. No matter how confused or angry I feel about what she did, it does feel right. I do want to know them. What if I want to build a relationship and she doesn’t? Or he doesn’t? He already has a family, why would he need me?’

‘He drove three hours, picked you up and helped you try to find her,’ I remind him. ‘And now he’s by her bedside, holding her hand until he knows she’s going to be okay. Look, you’re tired, and she’ll be sleeping till morning. If I was you, I’d go home, try to get some rest, let your heart settle. Call me tomorrow if you like, let me know how you’re feeling and what you want to do next. I’m here to help,’ I say, squeezing his hand. He moves to hold my hands within his and we sit quietly for a moment.

‘Thank you,’ he says, quietly.

‘Thank you?’ I ask.

‘For calling. For taking that risk. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.’

‘Don’t blame me!’ I joke, pulling my hand back.

‘I wasn’t.’ He smiles. ‘I owe you.’

I push my glasses back up my nose, running my hand through my hair. ‘You owe me nothing,’ I say, fiddling around with some papers on my desk.

I sense him get up and stand behind me. He takes my shoulders and turns me to face him. ‘You’ve no idea how brilliant you are, do you?’ I laugh, uncomfortable with his proximity and his words. ‘Whatever broke you, needn’t have.’

‘Broke me!’ I say, surprised.

‘I saw it. I can still see it. You care about everyone else. Your focus is on Susan. On me. On reassuring and fixing, and yet I’ve seen how you’ve watched us. There’s a pain in this for you too, isn’t there?’