‘I’ve done an ECG trace.’ Charlotte handed him the strip of paper and Jago ran it through his fingers, studying it carefully.

‘He’s got ST elevation and inverted T waves,’ he said finally, interpreting what looked like a wavy line to the uninitiated.

But Katy knew that what he was describing were changes to the pattern of electrical activity in the heart.

‘He’s had an MI?’

Her mother glanced between them in confusion. ‘What’s an MI?’

‘Myocardial infarction. It means that Dad’s had a heart attack,’ Katy explained gently, and Jago looked at her.

‘What are his risk factors? Does he smoke? What’s his blood pressure like normally?’

Katy opened her mouth but it was her mother who answered, her voice amazingly calm.

‘He hasn’t smoked for thirty years but his blood pressure has been worryingly high for months now and his GP has been warning him to slow down and take some exercise.’

Katy stared at her mother. It was the first she’d heard of it. ‘Mum?’

‘You know your father—he never likes to show weakness,’ her mother explained wearily. ‘He’s also had a very high cholesterol and I’ve had him on a strict diet. Unfortunately, I don’t think he sticks to it when I’m not watching him.’

For the first time Katy realised just how much her mother must love her father. Maybe their marriage wasn’t just a business arrangement after all.

She stood still, barely aware of the arrival of the radiographer who bustled around the room preparing to take the X-ray Jago had requested.

‘Charlotte, call the coronary care team,’ Jago ordered once the X-ray had been taken, adjusting the flow of oxygen through her father’s mask. ‘I’ve given him morphine for the pain and aspirin, and we’ve started thrombolytic therapy. He needs to be transferred to the unit.’

Charles gave a groan and Katy tiptoed to his side.

‘It’s all right, Dad,’ she said quietly, aware that her mother was standing next to her, tears in her eyes.

‘Do you hear that, Charles? Despite everything you’ve done, your daughter is prepared to offer you comfort. I hope you’re ashamed of yourself.’

Katy blinked. ‘Mum, this isn’t the right time.’

‘This is exactly the right time,’ Caroline said calmly, her eyes fixed on her husband’s face. ‘If you want to apologise to Katy, then now would be a good time.’

Katy thought she must have misheard. She’d never heard her mother use that tone with her father before, and he was ill.

What was going on?

‘Charles…’ Her mother leaned forward and moved the oxygen mask slightly, her hand trembling. ‘I know you can hear me. You know there’s something that you want to say to your daughter.’

At that moment the doors to Resus swung open and Libby flew into the room, her blonde ponytail swinging wildly as she hurried across to them.

Aware that a family drama was unfolding, she stopped dead, glancing quizzically at Jago who shrugged his broad shoulders.

Charles opened his eyes and suddenly all the fight seemed to leave him.