‘It’s amazing the power you have over a fifteen-year-old boy when he’s got a birthday coming up,’ Paula joked. ‘Which reminds me – I’m doing the birthday tea for him at our place this time: Sunday, three o’clock. Mum’s actually agreed to hand over the responsibility for party teas to me from now on, so I’m going all out to make this first one a goodie. Obviously everyone’s invited,’ she said, with a meaningful glance at Robyn. ‘And don’t worry, it won’t be me doing all the baking, so nobody will end up with food poisoning. Mum’s still doing the big cake, but Matt reckons he can knock up some sausage rolls, Joe’s on scone duty and actually Luke himself is such a good cook, he’s dead keen to get involved and show off his skills. My job is to buy all the ingredients and wash up afterwards. So there’s something to get yourself better for,’ she told Bunny.

Bunny said nothing, but a tear trickled from her eye into the pillow. ‘Hey,’ said Robyn gently, plucking a tissue from a box on the side. ‘Come on, now. You’ll feel better soon.’

Bunny sniffled. ‘I might not be able to go to the party,’ she said mournfully. ‘Because Dave—’ A sob engulfed her, and Paula and Robyn exchanged concerned glances.

‘What’s Dave gone and done?’ Paula asked. ‘Honestly! These bloody brothers of mine, they’re all as bad as each other. Do I need to have a word? Cross him off my Christmas list and all?’

‘Should I get the nurse?’ Robyn asked, wondering if Bunny’s tears were due to the pain of her injuries rather than emotional goings-on. ‘How about a drink of water?’

But Bunny shook her head miserably, declining all options, until the other two women felt quite useless. It must be the concussion making her so upset, Robyn thought, biting her lip and hoping their visit hadn’t in fact made Bunny feel worse.

‘Sorry,’ spluttered Bunny eventually, pressing a tissue into one eye, then the other. ‘I’m . . . I’m sorry. Will you tell him that for me? Will you tell him that I said sorry?’

‘Yes, of course,’ Paula said, puzzled. ‘But don’t worry, I’m sure you haven’t done anything to be sorry for.’

Bunny shuddered, her eyes dark and haunted-looking. ‘But I have,’ she insisted tonelessly. And then she turned away and wouldn’t say any more.