‘Couldn’t he give you any clue as to why she painted it?’ asked Matt.

‘None at all. He tried to analyse it as a piece in its own right, but because he had already seen the other pictures, he found it very difficult. He said it depicted overwhelming fear, but whether it was for herself or someone else, he couldn’t tell.’

‘I did wonder whether it was one of the Holland family, and Kate had put her in modern-day clothing,’ suggested Will.

‘That’s very possible. Oh, and before I forget, the art therapist told me she had considerable talent. He said he rarely had a chance to examine such gifted work in his line of business.’

‘Her work is brilliant, it’s just so sad that they’re all about her nightmares,’ Will said.

‘It could be her saving, my boy. All the time she is painting, she is expressing her fears in the way she knows best. If she can’t actually talk about it, at least it’s not all being bottled up inside her.’

‘So, what now? I still cannot bring myself to turn her over to a hospital. I have to give it one more try.’

‘Very well. But I strongly urge you not to let things go any further. If she gets any worse, you will have to do something about it. You have her safety and her sanity to consider.’ He paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. ‘It is not unheard of for patients with Kate’s problems to harm themselves. I know you mean well, but just be aware that she could be a danger to herself.’

Will was silent. If only someone would come along and take all the responsibility away from him. But he knew the ultimate decision about Kate would be his. ‘The buck stops here,’ he whispered.

‘I’m afraid so, my friend. Now, tell me what sort of frame of mind will Kate be in when she wakes, judging by her previous moods after a long sleep?’

‘Well, strangely, she is usually still tired. She’s lethargic and tearful for a couple of hours, and then she goes into overdrive until the next “low.”’

‘Is she fairly reasonable when she is in that après sleep state?’ the doctor asked.

‘Yes. She is apologetic and quite lucid.’

Sam stood up. ‘I think you should try to get in touch with Philip Fauve before she wakes. Give him as much of the story as you feel comfortable with but be sure that he grasps the severity of what is happening here. There is no way Kate can meet Sophie. No way. Then when Kate is compos mentis, you must tell her that they’ve flown back to Canada. We need to free her of that particular worry, and you need to become her guiding light again. Can you do that, Will?’