‘OK, Joel, in our first tests, we had identified the genetic variation we believe caused your cardiac arrest. It seems to have appeared spontaneously, so your parents didn’t pass it on. We’ve now completed sequencing on Leo and I’m pleased to tell you that we have not detected the same variant. Which means . . .’

‘He’s clear.’ I whisper the words, unable to believe them.

The consultant nods, smiling. ‘Yes. Leo is clear. Which doesn’t mean any future children would be clear, too, but . . .’

I don’t hear the rest. It’s Zoë whose face I see now, Zoë who gave Leo the good version of the gene that literally broke my heart. I wish she was sitting here right now, could celebrate with me.

But I will write to her again. She deserves to know our boy is perfect, because of her . . .

I look up and catch Liv’s eye. She raises her eyebrows, offering to stop filming. It’s only now I realize I’m crying.

Afterwards, Liv repacks the kit in the boot of her car while I phone my parents.

She offers to drive me back to Brighton. ‘You probably don’t fancy the train?’

‘You sure that’s not because you want to film me seeing Leo for the first time after getting the good news?’

Liv looks hurt. ‘Is that really what you think of me?’

‘I – no, sorry. I’m being an idiot. You don’t have to give me a lift.’

‘True. But after what just happened, I’d like to.’

We don’t speak on the journey back, as the sun ahead softens from harsh white to deep orange. She drives fast but carefully.

Who is Olivia, really? She knows everything about me, but I know scarcely anything about her.

She pulls up outside my parents’ drive. ‘In case you still think I’m going to whip the camera out behind your back.’

‘Thank you. For driving me back and for being with me on this, I couldn’t – wouldn’t have done it without you.’

When Liv turns towards me, I go to hug her, something we haven’t done before, but after today, it feels right.

And when her lips touch mine, I can’t say if it’s her or me who initiates the kiss. But I do know it doesn’t matter, because that feels right, too.

Chapter 55: Tim

24 July 2013

When the waiter turns up with my thali, I wonder if I have accidentally signed up for an extreme eating challenge.

Kerry laughs. ‘I did warn you about the portion sizes.’

We’re in her local. Decent Indian food is one of the few things I miss in Spain, so it’s top of my list while I’m staying with her in London. But right now I don’t feel hungry.