Nick arrived with afternoon tea and despite exchanging a greeting kiss and a hug, she collided with his implacable tension.

“Have you heard from Jess?” she asked.

“Other than email? No. Of course not! I think it’s time to phone the hospital and find out what’s going on.”

“That’s giving in! It’s exactly what she wants.”

“Jesus, Libby.” He blew out a long breath. “I know she’s played games, but she’s obviously sick or she’d be out of the hospital. Right now, Leo is our priority.”

Your priority. Libby felt her teeth grind. “I’ll call Alice and ask her to take him tonight.”

“That’s not fair to Alice or Leo.”

“Don’t be silly. She loves kids.”

“That’s not the point though, is it?”

A kernel of shame pinched her that she’d forgotten Alice was dealing with the grief of not being able to have children. “True. I’ll ask Mom.”

“Libby.” Her name sounded like a warning shot. “If Jess has to stay in the hospital then Leo needs continuity with us.”

Anger fizzed. “Don’t push this onto me. I’m not ready!”

“I’m sorry you’re not ready,” he said quietly. The words weren’t reassuring and the unspoken “but” hung between them, loud and uncompromising.

“I doubt you want me to call the hospital,” Nick said eventually. “I probably wouldn’t understand what they told me anyway, but we need to know the state of play. If Leo is going to be with us for the weekend or longer, I need to pick up more clothes and buy diapers—”

The office phone buzzed. “Yes, Trina?”

“Libby, your mother’s at reception. She says it’s urgent. Do you want me to ask Ramesh to see Mr. Ruben for you?”

Karen never said things were urgent unless they really were. “That would be great, thanks.”

“I’ll send her down.”

Libby hung up. “Mom’s here to see me. She told Trina it’s urgent. God, I hope Dad’s okay.”

“He’d be here if he wasn’t,” Nick said.

“Maybe.” But Libby’s mind was already darting to car accidents, which bypassed the clinic entirely, going directly to Bairnsdale.

Nick glanced at his watch. “Indi and Leo can stay at daycare until 6:00 if necessary, but school finishes in ten minutes. Can you call—”

“Hello, darling. Nick. I’m glad you’re both here.” Karen dropped distracted kisses on their cheeks before sitting down.

“Sorry, Karen. I’m about to take off and pick up Lucy,” Nick said.

“No need. I’ve asked Alice to do that for you,” Karen said with unusual firmness.

Libby instantly felt vindicated that she hadn’t been thoughtless of Alice’s feelings when she’d suggested her sister look after Leo. But her mother’s actions confused her. “Is Dad okay?”

“Your father’s fine. It’s Jess. I’ve just driven back from visiting her.”