Doris came back with a jug of iced water and a glass, lifted a thick white cloth from the tray and plastered it across Beck’s brow before she could utter any kind of protest. The cool liquid streamed into her eye sockets, down beside her nose, and across the upper ledge of her tense mouth.

‘We’ll get your shoes off in a minute.’

Doris pulled the cloth away and offered the water. Beck let it fill her gullet, sucking at it until streams coursed from her jowls past her ears and soaked into the pillow on each side.

‘Sorry,’ she said.

‘It won’t matter. You’ll feel better soon, and by then, there might be some news.’

But Beck knew immediately she shouldn’t be here. By this time they should have been only a couple of hours from home and she and the boys would be nearly back in their proper lives. Instead, she was being drowned in a country town by the pressure of water at her temples.

‘There, now,’ Doris said, trying to bring more water to Beck’s lips.

Beck slapped the glass away and its contents spilled down the side of the mahogany bedside table, as dull and absorbing as the wardrobe.

‘There’s no need to-’ Doris said, tutted, and tried to apply the cloth again.

Beck pushed it away.

Doris withdrew her arm. ‘Rebecca!’ she called, but Beck was trying to get her hands underneath her backside in order to sit up.

When she managed to get clear of Doris and draw breath, the air went deep and came back with panic. Out came a silent cry, followed by a profound shaking that could not be concealed.

Beck involuntarily reached for Doris, and the rattling went into her sister-in-law’s forearm like a jolt from an electric fence. The assault on her body was complete. Beck fell back onto the bed and tried to fold herself up, but it wasn’t big enough for the comfort she needed.

Another lost child!

She might have actually shouted it, because Doris retreated to the door.

‘Daniel rang while you were on your way over here,’ she said. He’s going to come and get Alan on his way home. I’ll make a bit of tea for us all.’

Beck couldn’t relax her neck muscles enough to respond. Clearing her throat only punctuated the noise that was coming out of her gullet.

‘Pardon?’ Doris said.

‘Don’t let him come in here!’ Beck moaned.

Daniel pulled up at Deloraine and the dogs started carrying on as he crossed to the screen door.

Doris stood in the kitchen, eyes brimming with confusion.

‘Knock, knock,’ Daniel said, entering.

‘Hi, Dad,’ Alan said quietly, standing on the terrace. ‘Where’s Jamie?’

‘Oh, he’ll turn up,’ Daniel replied. ‘You alright?’

His son nodded. Yvonne made a cautious appearance, but a look from Doris made her disappear back to her room.