‘You know that this is not a cure, Nikki, don’t you?’ He looked at her seriously, as he handed her the envelope. ‘But we do believe that she has some new brain activity that we might be able to stimulate.’ He exhaled, then added, ‘Just don’t expect too much, she’s been in this state a very long time, and that’s not good, but.…’

Nikki tried to stop herself grabbing the man and hugging him. ‘But it just may be an early sign of recovery?’

‘I wouldn’t go that far, but stranger things have happened in medical science.’

‘If nothing else, it’s a reprieve, isn’t it?’

‘Oh yes! It’s that for sure.’

As Nikki walked back to Hannah’s room, she felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted from her. It was the smallest improvement, a tiny drop in the ocean, but it was a step forward, not another backward slide. She felt as if someone had given her a little piece of her daughter back.

At the door, she paused and looked in.

Joseph sat with Hannah’s hand in his, and chatted comfortably with her. She saw him talk, then smile, then laugh, as if they were sharing some secret joke. And who was to say that they weren’t?

Nikki stepped back from the door and watched them unnoticed.

Joseph was a natural with Hannah. She thought of Mickey Smith, and the way that Joseph had handled him. Hyperactive or not, he had got through to the boy, and very quickly.

She then saw him take a tissue from a box beside the bed, and carefully wipe the corner of Hannah’s mouth. He was a good man, and those around him should see past the rumours and the gossip and see the real Joseph Easter.

Nikki took a deep breath. He deserved better. Especially from his own family.

EPILOGUE

IT WAS CALLED the Garden of Tranquillity. Lots of hospitals have them, if you know where to look. Greenborough’s was set at the back of the chapel and could be accessed either by a door from the chapel or by a long straight pathway that led from the car park.

In the centre was a rectangular fish pond, its surface interlaced with oriental-looking pink water lilies, and a scattering of tiny lime-green duckweed. All around were tall, scented shrubs and beds of brightly coloured summer plants. It was well kept, but Nikki had hardly ever seen it used. Which was a shame in one way, but when Hannah had first been brought here, it served as a private place for her to bring her broken heart and cry unnoticed.

Today, as she entered the garden, she didn’t feel sad. She felt excited, almost elated, but part of her was as nervous as a school kid waiting for A-level results.