She seems to have made up her mind in that generous way children often do; pity being better than anger, easier to bear. They can’t abandon Paul’s family, Poppy is saying, none of this is Izzy’s fault. Eve watches Poppy root around in the bedside locker for a hairbrush. She’s right. It isn’t Izzy’s fault and it’s not Melly’s either, but she can’t help wishing Melly had found the strength to stand up to Paul sooner. If she had escaped or even fought back, Paul wouldn’t have been part of their lives; Sorrel would have been safe. If she’d shared what was happening with her friends earlier on, they could have helped her leave him behind. She watches Poppy brush her sister’s hair off her face with gentle strokes, and thinks of Melly’s bruised face as she last saw her. Melly was Paul’s victim too, she reminds herself, long before Sorrel was; she must have been terrified of defying him, what that would bring down on herself.

‘Izzy wants to come and see Sorrel.’ Poppy leans forward over the bed to touch her mother’s hand.

‘The nurse said only family, my darling.’

‘Izzy’s family.’

‘Let’s wait and see.’

In the end she misses the exact moment when Sorrel opens her eyes. Eric had taken Poppy home for supper by the time the consultant arrived on a late ward round. Dr Ari comes every day, a small man with a rapid walk, a little bent as if with the years of study and examining patients. There is a quietness about him that he carries into the room. Eve is watching his face as he listens to Sorrel’s chest when the expression of pure delight breaks on his hawk-like features, drawing her eyes instantly to her daughter. Sorrel is staring at the man in front of her, her eyes blank with surprise. Eve’s tears come instantly. She takes Sorrel’s hand and presses it to her cheek; her heart hammering with joy. ‘Sweetheart, you’re awake!’

Sorrel turns to her; her eyes widen before the lids flutter shut again.

‘A good sign?’ Tears run down Eve’s cheeks.

‘An excellent sign.’ The skin around those dark eyes creases in a smile.

Eric is there when Sorrel opens her eyes again later that evening; she smiles at her father. His mouth tightens in an effort not to cry. When he leaves that evening he presses his lips against Sorrel’s forehead. Eve stands up thinking he will kiss her too, but he nods without smiling and leaves the ward.

Dr Ari comes on to the ward the next day; by then Eric has arrived. He ushers them both into a side room. Eve reaches for Eric’s hand but he hunches forward to listen.

‘So it seems our little Sorrel was lucky,’ Dr Ari begins.

‘Lucky?’ Eric frowns.