There wasn’t much to be learned from Katy’s closed expression. Nor was there any clarity on the faces of the other two women who looked Jodie’s way when she entered. She sat in the same chair, this time keeping her handbag on her knee. There didn’t seem to be any reason to take out her notebook, even if there was something to write she wasn’t sure her trembling hands would be able to grasp a pen.

‘This is a grave matter,’ Katy began. ‘We did wonder if we should involve the police but since we have no proof of any criminal intent, we decided it wasn’t in the home’s interest.’ She nodded towards Ms Youlden in acknowledgement of what had to have been her input. ‘But in view of the seriousness of what has occurred, we have no choice but to terminate your employment forthwith.’

Jodie felt the blood rush from her face and peripheries in a mad dash to shore up her heart which she thought might have stopped. She refused to faint in front of this triad of condemnatory women.

‘You are entitled to your holiday payment but, as of today, you are no longer in the employment of BestLife Care. We will be letting the NMC know of our decision and there is no doubt that they will carry out their own investigation.’

Of course they would, and if Jodie were found guilty by the governing body, she might be suspended or worse, struck off and never be able to work as a registered nurse again.

There was nothing more to be said. No gratitude for the six years of unblemished service Jodie had given, the long hours, the unpaid overtime, the soul-destroying days when staff was short and the work unending. She left the office, shut the door behind her and took one step after the other across the reception to the front door. Somewhere, as if at a great distance, she heard her name called. She didn’t know who was calling, or why, or care, simply kept going, out the door, through the car park, out onto the footpath, then onward to home.

It was hours later, time spent curled up on the sofa with her arms wrapped around herself and tears falling unheeded, when a thought came to her. She knew she hadn’t left the tablets in Daisy’s room.

But somebody had.

9

Strangely, rather than panicking, the idea that someone had deliberately framed her for the medication error, made Jodie sit up and think.

If she were right, if someone had done such a terrible thing, surely it would be easy to prove. Her eyes flicked to the clock. Rivka would be home. She pulled her bag across and took out her phone, smiling when she saw messages from Flynn. Three of them.

Hope the meeting goes well, xx

Followed by:

Thinking of you, xx

And finally: