‘You’re so busy protecting yourself from hurt that you never go out with anyone remotely suitable. You’re afraid of falling in love, Libby.’

Libby glared at her. ‘I thought you were an A and E doctor, not a psychiatrist.’

‘Today I’m your sister,’ Katy said softly, ‘and I love you. I want to see you settled with babies because I know that’s what you want, too. I want to see you in love. And so does Alex, which was why he didn’t buy you, I expect. He hoped you might meet someone, and you have.’

Libby stared at the river, watching the way the sunlight glittered on the surface. ‘I don’t want to be vulnerable and being in love just makes you vulnerable.’

Katy gave a humourless laugh. ‘I know that. I know that better than anyone. I had such a dilemma when I met up with Jago again. He hurt me so badly the first time.’

‘That was different. That was because our father meddled.’

‘He still hurt me. Believe me, Lib, trusting him again was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.’

‘And Alex and I had to manipulate the two of you back together,’ Libby reminded her dryly. ‘You were going to marry Lord Frederick Hamilton.’

‘I was marrying Freddie because I was scared of what I felt when I was with Jago,’ Katy admitted. ‘I was doing what you’re doing. Running from being hurt. But there comes a point you have to take a risk with your heart, Libby. Otherwise you’ll miss out on love. I shiver when I think what might have happened if Jago and I hadn’t got back together. I love him so much. Without him, my life would have been so different. Empty.’

Libby sighed, acknowledging that she was envious of her sister’s relationship.

‘It’s different for you,’ she said gruffly. ‘You and Jago are crazy about each other and you always were.’

She knew how powerfully Jago had affected Katy.

Having loved him, Katy had never been able to feel anything for another man.

But she herself never felt that strongly for a man…

Until Andreas.

* * *

Libby arrived on the ward for the late shift to find that Rachel had had her drip removed.

‘She’s doing so much better,’ Bev told her. ‘Andreas gave instructions for it to be removed this morning and she’s having the antibiotics orally now.’

‘Did the results of her urine tests come back?’

‘Positive. It was a UTI.’

So Andreas had been right. Libby gave a reluctant smile. He might be good-looking and too pushy by half, but he was clearly a good doctor. Better than good. Hopefully, by treating the child so early he would have managed to prevent any damage to her kidneys.

‘And how’s Melanie this morning?’

Bev smiled. ‘Doing very well. Her wound is a bit sore, obviously, but she’s a lovely child. So cheerful.’

‘Is her drip out?’

Bev nodded. ‘She had bowel sounds so Andreas started her on sips of water last night and took her drip down this morning. I thought maybe you could get her to the playroom today.’