‘Thank God he makes house calls. Surely at this point, it doesn’t matter what medication he has, just so long as he’s comfortable?’

Lynda nodded. ‘James will get him comfortable. I’ve known him for years and he’s been a huge support to us since we found out Will was palliative. I know you didn’t meet him last night, when he was here, but you will soon.’ She picked up the phone and dialled a number, which she clearly knew by heart. ‘Hi,’ she said softly and waited. ‘Yeah. He’s worse.’ Pause. ‘Pain in his back and legs. And tonight for the first time he mentioned his head.’ Pause. ‘Yep, did that.’ Pause. ‘I think so and his temperature is still high. I haven’t been able to bring it down.’ Pause. ‘Tonight? Really?’ Pause. ‘Only if you really want to, James. I just thought we’d keep the pain relief up and let the antibiotics do their job.’ Pause. ‘Okay, well, whatever you think is best. See you soon.’

Pressing the button to disconnect the call, Lynda ran her hands through her hair and groaned. ‘Shit, shit, shit! I hate this!’

Zara went and put her arms around her. ‘I know, Mum.’ She held her tightly for a moment, then asked, ‘What’s James going to do?’

‘He thinks he should come out tonight and put in the pump. Reading between the lines, I think he wants to assess him and see what the deterioration is.’

There really wasn’t anything to say to that.

‘Do you want something to eat?’

Lynda shook her head. ‘I think I want to go to bed and sleep for a week.’

‘Why don’t you do that? I’ll stay with him tonight.’

‘I need to wait until James comes.’

‘Okay, and then you can take a sleeping tablet and go to bed. I’ll be on call for him tonight.’

There was a noise behind them, and the boys were trooping back out again, chairs in hand. Zara was shocked to see tears on Karl’s cheeks.

‘We’d like to come back, Lynda,’ he said to her as they placed their chairs at the kitchen table, ‘but he doesn’t want us to. We’re hoping he’s wrong. Maybe the antibiotics will get everything under control quickly but, just in case they don’t, we said goodbye to him tonight.’

‘Oh no.’ Lynda’s hand flew to her mouth.

Karl came forward and put his arms around her. ‘More horrible than words can say.’

‘But you need to know that anything you need, anything at all, just ring any of us whenever,’ Ray said in a gruff voice. He brushed his hand roughly over his face.

Charlie went to hug Lynda, and Jock followed.

‘Please make sure you call,’ Jock said.

‘There’s probably nothing we need help with,’ Zara said.

‘Actually, there is,’ Lynda said, wiping away more tears. ‘Can someone run around the sheep for me this week? Doesn’t need to be tomorrow …’

‘I’ll do it,’ Ray said. ‘I’ll come tomorrow and then every second day from then on. Until …’ He stopped. ‘You don’t need me any more.’