‘Try not to think about what might have happened,’ Jenny said hastily, taking the woman’s arm and guiding her into Resus. ‘I’m sure he’s going to be fine. I’ll just take some details from you and then we’ll ask a doctor to see him.’

The woman was battling with tears. ‘It’s just too much.’ She broke off and rubbed a hand over her face. ‘He’s such a monkey. He’s always in trouble and I’ve been up all night with the baby and you only have to turn your back for a minute and he gets himself into trouble.’

‘Some children are like that,’ Jenny agreed, her tone sympathetic. She settled the little boy on the trolley and listened while the paramedic gave her the rest of the details.

The mother hurried over to the trolley and hugged the child with her free arm, tears spilling out of her eyes. ‘How many times have I told you that you don’t run away from Mummy?’

The little boy’s face crumpled and he started to sob miserably.

Jenny said a hasty thank you to the paramedic and hurried over to the trolley to try and help.

‘OK.’ Her voice was calm and steady and she smiled at the toddler. ‘What have you been up to, mischief? You’ve frightened the life out of your mum.’

She filled his details on a card and then checked his obs.

‘He hasn’t been unwell at all, Mrs Newton? No temperature or anything?’

‘Please, call me Helen, and, no, he hasn’t been ill.’ She frowned slightly. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Because when children fall we need to be sure that there isn’t something else going on,’ Jenny told her. ‘Sometimes an ear infection might cause him to lose his balance.’

‘He just tripped because he was running away from me,’ Helen said tightly, and Jenny nodded.

‘And are you’re sure he wasn’t knocked out?’

Helen shook her head. ‘No. He howled immediately so I know he was conscious.’

‘OK, well, I need to ask a doctor to check him over,’ Jenny told her, scribbling on the notes. She glanced up and noticed that Helen had her eyes closed and was breathing slowly. ‘Are you all right?’

Helen gave a wan smile. ‘Not really, but I don’t suppose anyone is with three children under five and the amount of sleep I get. I’m fine really. Just tired and unfit. I was so breathless after I chased after Jack and it was only a few feet.’

Jenny smiled. ‘You can’t be that unfit if you’re chasing round after these three all day.’

‘Well, I am.’ Helen hurried over to her little girl who was tugging at one of the cupboards in Resus. ‘Stop that, Bella! Come and sit down.’ She sighed and cast Jenny an apologetic look. ‘Sorry. Controlling them is a nightmare. It’s no wonder I get chest pains.’

‘Chest pains?’ Jenny frowned, but before she could question her further, Alex strolled in, broad-shouldered and a vision of unshakable confidence.