‘Oh, we’re used to people like madam. You get all types here. Look, I’ve got my jogging gear in my locker. You and I are about the same size. I could lend you the track suit, then we could get you out of those wet clothes and dry them in the patients’ laundry.’

Several hours later, the nurse woke Megan from her doze on a bench in the waiting area. ‘Your husband’s awake now, Mrs Saunders. He’s a bit groggy, but he’s asking for you.’

Megan threw off the blanket and followed her eagerly, sitting by the bed and holding Ben’s hand. He seemed to have fallen asleep again, but she wanted very much to stay by his side.

‘He’ll be in and out of consciousness for a while.’ The tired-looking nurse stopped for a moment at the foot of the bed. ‘But I think he’ll be happier to find you with him. I shouldn’t let you up here at this hour, actually, but who’s going to know?’

When Ben’s eyes flickered open a little later, Megan leaned forward and said softly, ‘I’m here, darling.’

He blinked and struggled to focus on her face. ‘Megan? Is that you?’

‘Yes. You’ve had an operation on your ankle. Everything’s going to be all right.’

‘So stupid, falling off the roof like that.’ He sighed. ‘Nothing you can do about sudden squalls, though. Megan—’

‘Yes?’

‘You were marvellous.’

‘Well, I couldn’t leave you lying out there on the ground in the middle of a storm, could I?’ Had he not noticed her calling him darling? She’d been longing to do that for a while.

His eyes seemed to be in better focus now and he said quietly, as he gazed at her, ‘You’re beautiful.’

‘I must look a real mess! The nurse lent me this and…’

His fingertips fluttered over her lips, stopping her speaking. ‘Shh. I need to tell you something. Before I lose my nerve.’

She leaned closer, her heart suddenly speeding up to pound in her chest and her breath catching in her throat. ‘What?’

‘I love you, Megan.’

‘Oh, Ben!’ She slipped off the chair to kneel beside the bed and bury her head in his shoulder. ‘I love you, too, but I thought you didn’t believe in love and romance.’

His hand came up to caress her neck and face. ‘Well, I’ve changed my mind. Are you quite sure you love me?’

‘I’m very sure, darling.’

‘Bad temper and all?’

‘Every grouchy bit of you.’

He gave a long, happy sigh. ‘That’s so good to know.’ His eyes closed again and his breathing slowed down.

A couple of hours later, just as dawn was brightening the room, he woke properly, seeming almost his normal self.

Megan, still sitting in the chair by his side, looked at him rather shyly.