Celestria smiled wearily as she entered the critical care ward.

‘Hi, Mum.’ Jazz bent down to give her sleeping father a kiss. ‘How is he?’

‘Good, he’s good, Jazz. His vital signs are apparently much more stable, and he slept well.’

‘Oh Mum, thank God!’ She choked back a sob.

‘Yes, thank God,’ Celestria echoed. ‘He’s not out of the woods yet, but every hour counts. The nurse said they may take the mask off later and see if he can breathe by himself.’

‘Why don’t you go and get yourself some breakfast and I’ll stay with him?’

‘Yes, I will. I feel comfortable enough to leave him for a little while now.’ Celestria indicated the weather outside. ‘And the snow’s thawing, so you should be able to get back to Norfolk without too much of a problem.’

‘Mum, I’m staying until I know Dad is okay. End of story, all right?’

‘Yes, of course, darling, of course. I won’t be long.’

Jazz studied her father and thought that his colour was indeed better than yesterday. Then she blushed at the thought of him knowing what she had been doing whilst he was fighting for his life.

He’d never liked Patrick, always thought he was wrong for her, and being Tom, had made no bones about hiding it.

She stroked his hand gently, hating herself for needing and enjoying last night. She sighed, knowing there was no road back for her and Patrick. If anything, he wanted shooting for taking advantage of her while she was at her most vulnerable.

But the bottom line was, she had let him.

Jazz felt pressure on her hand and saw Tom’s eyes were open.

A nurse appeared behind her, studying the monitors.

‘Morning, Tom. Who’s my star patient? You have done well.’

Jazz saw her father smile.

‘So well that the doctor says you can take the mask off for ten minutes, as long as you promise not to chatter to your daughter too much.’

Tom nodded and the nurse gently removed the mask. She handed Jazz a cup containing some ice.

‘Your father’s mouth will be very dry. Give him these ice chips to suck.’

Jazz took an ice cube, moistened her father’s cracked lips. Tom groaned in pleasure.

‘Dad, you are doing so well.’ Jazz tried to keep the emotion out of her voice.

‘Can’t believe I’m still here,’ he rasped. ‘Thought Big G wanted me up there.’

‘No, Dad, we want you down here. Mum’s gone to have some breakfast. That shows you how much better you must be. She hasn’t left your side for the past eighteen hours.’

Tom’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Tell her I love her,’ he whispered.

‘You can tell her yourself when she comes back up. Try not to talk too much for now.’

Tom nodded and his eyes began to close again. The nurse appeared to put on the mask and Jazz sat quietly watching him.

When Celestria came back, Jazz told her what Tom had said.