‘Oh, my good God!’ I gripped the bedsheets as pain seared through my leg. ‘Shit, shit, shit!’ My teeth were gritted and every muscle in my body was clenched in agony. When Lorcan had dropped me back at the pub and done his he-man bit again, depositing me on the bed in my room, I’d reassured him I was all right and got back to work, answering a few emails. Slowly but thankfully, the work was beginning to trickle in – at least, the enquiries were, which was a start – and I didn’t want to give anyone the chance to hire someone else by not being responsive. After a couple of hours, I’d felt a bit tired and decided a power nap would perk me up and so, pulling off my skirt and blouse, I’d changed into my jammies and lain down on the bed. Some time between then and now my leg had woken up from the anaesthetic, decided it really wasn’t happy and was currently making me grit my teeth so hard I could double up as a nutcracker.

‘Anyone in?’ Lorcan’s deep, melodic voice followed the knock at the door.

I attempted a yes but it came out as a sound more akin to a cat being strangled.

‘Can I come in?’

‘Open,’ I forced out the word.

Lorcan stepped through, ducking beneath the low beam of the door. He took one look at me and grimaced sympathetically. ‘Anaesthetic wore off, then?’

I nodded, in too much pain to come up with a smart reply.

‘Did you take any of those pills the doc gave you?’

I shook my head. ‘Not yet.’

Lorcan took them from the dressing table and read the label. ‘You ought to have some food with these,’ he said, shaking two into his hand before undoing the top of the water bottle that had been standing next to them. ‘What do you want to eat?’

I took the pills and knocked them back with the water. ‘Thanks. I really don’t think I could eat anything. Apart from that, I don’t think I can face getting down those stairs, especially as it means I’d have to change again and I don’t have the energy.’

‘That’s fine. I can understand not wanting company right now.’

‘I don’t mean to be rude. They’re lovely people.’

He gave a smile. ‘I knew what you meant. Don’t worry. Those pills should kick in soon, but you do need to eat. Let me get you something.’

‘That’s kind, but I’m sure you have far better things to do with your Saturday night than wait on me.’