‘Please. No more science.’ My head’s throbbing.

‘Sorry. It’s just so fascinating. I might train to be a neuroscientist. Imagine that! I could win the Nobel Peace Prize.’

‘I think you could do anything, Nell, and Dr Stevens has a nice ring to it.’ I spear a piece of fish with my fork. ‘I wish you weren’t going home tomorrow.’ Everything seems manageable with her here.

‘I wish I didn’t have to, but it’s only for a few days while Chris sorts out cover at work and can look after the kids. I’ll fly out again next week.’

Next week. By then everything might have changed.

Or nothing.

‘Anna, you could always wait until I’m back to start the trial?’

‘I’ll think about it.’ We both know I won’t. We’re painfully aware that time is precious. That it might be running out.

A 3 per cent chance of recovery.

‘He’ll come back to me, Nell, won’t he?’

She squeezes my hand.

The car Oliver sent to fetch me winds around the coastal road. Out of the window I see nothing but darkness. Night has settled, merging the sea with the sky. It’s odd to think of Nell sleeping in the apartment, alone in the double bed Adam and I should be sharing. Tomorrow she’ll be back in the UK, but I won’t be alone. I’m grateful for Oliver and his support.

Back at the centre, in front of Adam’s door, I am introduced to Luis.

‘He’ll be Adam’s main nurse,’ Oliver tells me. ‘There’ll be somebody with Adam at all times but if you have any concerns and Luis isn’t on shift, he will likely be in his room just across the corridor. You can call him any time, day or night.’

‘I’ll be checking on Adam regularly, Mrs Curtis, whether I’m working or not.’ He shakes my hand.

‘Call me Anna, please, Luis. So… what happens if something goes wrong? At the hospital there was an alarm. So many doctors and nurses.’

‘We’ve a large medical team, please don’t worry,’ Oliver says. ‘Adam will receive state-of-the-art care here.’

‘I know but…’ But I’m having second thoughts. It’s too quiet here without the clatter and chatter I’ve become used to.

‘Here.’ Oliver pushes a button into my hand. ‘Press it.’

My thumb presses down and immediately a siren blasts, orange lights strobe. Within seconds the corridor is filling with people. Oliver taps on his phone and the siren falls silent, the lights stop flashing.

‘Feel better?’ he asks kindly.

‘Yes. Thanks. I think I’ll go to bed now.’

‘Do you want me to come in with you? Your luggage is already inside. I could help you unpack?’

I shake my head.