She deliberately breathed in slowly and then out. In and out. She needed to let everything go, and just concentrate on healing herself from the shock of the accident and her own small injuries. She also needed to believe that Zac’s memory would return.

She’d visit him again tomorrow, convince him to come, and start again. She needed him to come with her. To let whatever their future together would be to grow naturally, because loving someone couldn’t be forced.

Or forgotten.

Or lost.

Could it?

She slowed her breathing again as a wave of sadness rolled over her, and she brushed away a lone, stupid tear as it threatened to run down her cheek. It could have been much worse. She had to keep telling herself that. He’d be physically fine. Dr Fithers had said he was happy with the scans. It was the amnesia and the loss of the last weeks that felt like a chasm between then when they’d only just found happiness.

Mim turned her head again as if she knew what Ava was thinking. ‘He’ll be fine, darling.’ She smiled encouragingly at Ava. ‘He seems very strong …’ She paused and her eyes twinkled. ‘He seems like a particularly virile man, and I imagine his recuperative powers are impressive.’

Was there innuendo in that statement? Surely Mim couldn’t know that they’d slept together. Ava felt her cheeks warm and the sudden lift of her spirits was something she’d not have believed possible even a minute ago, but such was the magic of Mim.

Darling Mim. Nobody could love their family more, nor mischievously direct from the sidelines in the loving way Mim did.

The next morning, Ava drove back to the hospital, her fingers tense on the steering wheel. She went early, deciding she’d come back to the flat to pack after she knew Zac’s decision. She had things to do in town before she left.

Mostly she was thinking about if he said no. Which was the opposite to what she should be doing – affirmations and all that. Hopefully that wouldn’t happen because she’d convince him. But what if he did? Then she’d have to try to forget him and also the fact that she’d found the man she instinctively knew could have given her a happily ever after.