For starters, she wasn’t even allowed into his room. They let her stand outside and look at him through the glass. He didn’t look the same, she thought, but of course she wasn’t close enough. He was covered in bandages and attached to a machine. She couldn’t see the familiar curve of his lips, and the rough stubble that pushed its way through his skin. She couldn’t see the dark curve of his eyelashes, the tender-looking bruises beneath his eyes. If she had seen any of this, perhaps it would have given her some hope. The bruising, the growing hair, all signs that his body was still alive, still pushing back.

But instead she left the hospital feeling worse than ever. He wasn’t there any more; Elle knew it. Rob was gone.

‘It’s not doing her any good,’ Penny said, a week later.

The news was still the same: there was no change to Rob’s condition. However, Elle still went to the hospital every day, as though if she watched constantly, she would be sure to see some hopeful sign.

‘Well, we can’t stop her, can we?’ Colin pointed out.

‘We can’t stop her, but we have to help her somehow,’ said Penny. ‘We have to face the fact that Rob might not . . . get better.’

Ned looked grim. ‘What do you suggest, then?’ he asked, his voice muffled.

Penny sighed. ‘We need to get started on the renovations,’ she said. ‘I know it sounds callous, but if we don’t get guests coming in soon, the bank will withdraw the finance. If nothing else, it will be a distraction for Elle.’

There had been no mention of Ned’s record collection since. To everyone it felt silly and frivolous, given what was going on with Rob, and Wally had assured Colin that of course he would hold onto the records in the meantime, until Ned was ready to come and get them.

It was decided that work would start on the hotel the very next day. Like it or not, it would be better for Elle to get back in her role as project manager.

The following day, Elle awoke to the sound of wood splintering. She went downstairs.

‘What’s going on?’ she asked Penny, her face pale and tear-stained.

‘They’re removing the tree and tearing down the entrance,’ said Penny, heart-sick at the wretched sight of her. ‘So you’d better get your plans out.’

‘Oh Penny, I just can’t,’ Elle moaned, sobbing. ‘How could I?’

Penny went and put her arms around her sister. ‘You have to,’ she said. ‘You just have to. I know it’s hard. I know you’re struggling. But if you don’t snap out of this soon, you’ll sink altogether. Rob wouldn’t want to see you waste all this hard work, his work too. He would be so proud of you, Elle, just like Mum.’