‘Julie’s here, I’ll go so that she can come in. But I want you to know that I love you, and I’ll be in the waiting room, OK?’

‘I love you too, sweetheart. One thing this experience has taught me is that life’s too short. So I know things aren’t great between you and Miles but you should call him,’ he says in staggered breaths.

At his words, my heart aches at just how little time we’ve spent together lately. I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet the reason for our break-up. I didn’t realise he assumed we’d just had some sort of lovers’ tiff and that we’re going to get back together.

‘I’ll get Julie,’ I say. I promise myself I’ll tell Dad everything as soon as he’s better.

I let go of his hand, even though it pains me to do so, and I search out Julie, who’s grateful for her turn.

I update Claire and talking it through makes everything that’s happened start to sink in.

‘I think I might go and get a breath of fresh air; this has all been …’ I can’t finish my sentence, I’m too overcome with emotion.

‘Of course, you go,’ she says.

‘I won’t be long.’

‘Take all the time you need, love. We’ll call if anything changes.’

I weave my way back through the corridors until finally I find myself out at the main entrance again. I’m almost surprised that it’s warm outside when the doors open and the brightness of the sunlight dazzles my eyes. The air is humid and thundery and it’s not quite the fresh air I’d envisaged.

I head away from the main entrance to get some space and I see Joel sitting on a wall, looking at his phone.

‘Hey, you’re still here.’ I walk over and put my hands on my hips like I’m pretending I’m cross but in reality I’m anything but. He stands up and he hugs me tight and I want to stay in his arms forever.

‘How is he?’

I pull away.

‘He’s going to be OK.’ My head’s feeling light and I perch on the wall to support myself. ‘It wasn’t a full-blown heart attack, but he’s got to have an operation, with a stent or something put in. But they think he’ll make a full recovery.’

‘Oh, Edie.’

I nod. ‘Please don’t say anything more. I’ve stopped crying for the moment and I don’t want to start again.’

‘But sometimes it helps to let everything out.’

He leads me along the pavement and we walk to a quieter end of the hospital grounds where there’s a bench and we sit down.