Then suddenly remembering, she ran upstairs and along the corridor to Charlie’s bedroom. Steeling herself to open the door, she walked quickly across to the bed and picked up the moth-eaten teddy that lay on the pillow. She ran down the stairs and opened the front door. Stepping out onto the snowy porch, she shut the door behind her without looking back.

Jazz glanced up at the clock. It was half past nine at night. Her father was sleeping peacefully. Celestria appeared at the door of the ward and gestured towards Jazz to join her. Once outside in the corridor, Jazz followed her mother into the relatives’ room.

‘Darling, I’ve just spoken to the critical care doctor and he says that Tom is not in any immediate danger. It’s pointless both of us having no sleep tonight. If your father seems better tomorrow, you may well be heading back to work and you need some rest. I just had a word with Patrick and he’s already found a hotel about half a mile away which you can walk to. If there’s any problem, I’ll call you.’

‘Why don’t you come with us?’

‘I’m going to borrow a blanket and make do in here. I don’t think the nurses are keen on having me on the ward all night, but at least if I’m here, I’m near him and can be there if he needs me.’

‘Oh Mum, please come. You need sleep too.’

‘Well, I doubt that even if I was staying at the Ritz I’d get any sleep tonight. Besides, if all goes well, you can come and relieve me tomorrow morning for a few hours.’ Celestria took her daughter’s hand. ‘Really, it’s where I want to be.’

‘All right, but you promise you’ll call if—’

‘Of course. Now off you go downstairs. Patrick is waiting for you by the front entrance.’

‘You know, it’s sheer coincidence he’s here. I—’

‘Ssshh, I understand. And as your daddy would say, sometimes God moves in mysterious ways. I’m glad he’s here for you. At least he understands. Now’ – Celestria patted her hand – ‘go and try and get some sleep.’

Patrick was loitering just outside the entrance, smoking a cigarette. He smiled at her.

‘Okay?’

Jazz nodded.

‘The hotel doesn’t look too grand, I’m afraid, but fair play, at least it’s walkable. My car is after being buried under a foot of snow. At least it’s stopped now. They’re saying it’ll thaw out by morning.’ He held out his elbow. ‘Shall we?’

The moon was shining bright and round, lighting up the snow that was shrouding everything in its glittery beauty.

‘This way, and be careful, it’s treacherous, so it is, especially in those shoes.’ Patrick indicated the court shoes Jazz had worn for work this morning, anticipating a normal day.

The only sound was their footsteps crunching in the snow.

‘Now this is real silence,’ said Patrick as they made their way carefully across the car park and out of the entrance to the hospital grounds. ‘It’s incredible the way snow muffles any noise.’