‘Jodie, oh God, I’m so sorry. I laughed because I really thought you were pulling my leg. How can they have fired you? You did nothing wrong.’

‘No, I didn’t. I have to keep reminding myself of that. Not that it matters. I was the nurse in charge. Medication was discovered where it shouldn’t have been. I’m being accused of gross misconduct.’

‘But… surely you’re innocent till proven guilty.’

It was her turn to laugh, a bitter sound that seemed to echo around the room. ‘It appears not,’ she said. ‘They have to act in the best interest of the residents, blah, blah, blah.’

‘But that’s ridiculous.’

‘There’ll be an NMC investigation too, I could be struck off.’

‘What! What’s an NMC?’

Jodie wanted sympathy not an interrogation. ‘It’s the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the governing body. They’ll investigate and decide if I’m allowed to continue nursing or whether I’m such a danger that I should be struck off.’ She could hear the deafening sound of defeat in her voice. ‘They may let me work until they’re finished their investigation or may tell me I can’t. I’ll ring my union tomorrow, they’ll be able to find out for me.’

‘I’m coming over,’ Flynn said. ‘Sit tight, I’ll be there as soon as I can.’

She didn’t argue. Letting the phone drop to the sofa beside her, she rested her head back and shut her eyes as tears stung and trickled. She’d not moved when the doorbell chimed an hour later.

‘I can’t believe this,’ Flynn said as soon as she opened the door. He stepped inside, dropped a bulging holdall, and took her in his arms.

It was good there, warm and safe and the key to release the tension that had gripped Jodie since the meeting. Within seconds, she was sobbing.

Flynn did what he should. He held her without saying a word until, finally, she hiccupped and was quiet. She didn’t move, though, his arms were wrapped around her, holding her together. She took comfort in their strength.

‘What can I do?’ His lips brushed her hair.

‘You did it,’ she said, pulling away reluctantly. ‘Coming here and being with me, that was what I needed. Thank you.’ She looked down at the bag he’d dropped. ‘Looks like you’re planning on staying a while too.’

‘Sounded like you needed me, sounds like you’re going to for a while.’ He brushed hair back from her cheeks and tucked it behind her ears. ‘I like to be needed.’