Mr Lyle had confirmed that Harry’s episodic memory from the last four years was missing. He had no recollection of his wife’s betrayal and their subsequent divorce, and no recollection of meeting and falling in love with Karene. His mind was anchored sometime in 2013. Lyle had made it clear that the best course of action was to go along with it for now and to allow Harry to recover at his own pace. If he ever did.

‘They said there was an explosion at Devonport.’ Harry’s elation quickly turned to concern. ‘What was it? How many were hurt?’

Caroline sat on the chair next to his bed and kept hold of his hand. ‘It was terrorism. A suicide bomber. A dozen or so were hurt and a couple died.’

‘Three deaths,’ Karene said through gritted teeth. Caroline’s conviction irritated her. They didn’t know that it was terrorism. Not for sure.

Caroline and Harry looked at her. ‘I thought only two had died,’ said Caroline.

‘One of the bar staff passed away this morning.’

‘You were here yesterday,’ he said, acknowledging her for the first time. This was a good sign. He was able to form new memories.

‘Yes. I was.’

‘Karene is a friend,’ said Caroline. ‘She called me when she found out you were here.’

Harry nodded. It made total sense to him. Why wouldn’t it?

‘You work here?’ he asked.

Karene started to shake her head and then realized that was probably the easiest explanation. He could think she worked for the hospital, that she knew Caroline through work. She couldn’t tell him the truth and at least this way she had a reason to be here.

18

Bloom found Karene leaning against the door of Harry’s room with her shoulders rigid and her jaw tightly set. Whatever had happened in there had not been pleasant.

Karene took the vending-machine coffee and yogurt from Bloom and walked to the nearest row of chairs. ‘He thinks I work in the hospital. That I’m Caroline’s friend.’

‘OK.’

‘He looked so happy to see her. Oh God.’ She passed the food back to Bloom. ‘I think I might be sick.’ She buried her head in her hands. ‘I’m sorry; I’m a mess.’

‘It’s fine, Karene. You’ve had a shock. It’s normal to be upset.’

‘I just never thought that …’ Karene stared at the door that separated her from Harry. ‘You’ll think I’m an idiot … but I never imagined him loving her.’

‘Why would you? By the time you’d met him, he no longer did. Most couples don’t get to time travel.’

Bloom opened the yogurt and handed it to Karene.

‘I’m nobody to him now,’ she said.