‘Good point. They won’t be happy on site if I have to call in sick.’ Darren’s a freelance plasterer, currently working on some fancy new-builds across town. It’s a decent contract that will keep him employed for at least the next couple of months. And they really need the money. Things have been slack this year and they’ve already burned through their meagre savings. As Darren finally leaves the kitchen, Catriona grips the worktop and breathes deeply, trying to slow her racing heartbeat and clear her vision. She prays he’ll go straight into the bathroom without checking on Grace first.

No such luck.

‘Caty!’ He calls, agitated. ‘Catriona!’ Footsteps pound across the laminate and back into the kitchen.

She turns and gives him what she hopes is an enquiring look.

‘Where’s Grace? Who’s that little girl in her bed?’

‘What? What are you on about?’

‘Come with me and look!’ He takes Catriona’s hand and leads her out of the kitchen, into the back bedroom. ‘Am I going mad?’ he mutters.

‘Darren, you’re scaring me. What are you talking about? Keep your voice down. You’ll wake Grace.’

‘That’s the point,’ he snaps. ‘It’s not Grace.’

The door to the bedroom is wide open, the hall light illuminating the small room enough to show the little girl’s features. She’s now curled on her side, facing towards them, eyes closed, undeniably a beautiful child. Undeniably not Grace.

‘Who is that?’ Darren hisses, pointing.

‘What do you mean, who is that? It’s Grace. It’s our daughter.’

Darren ushers Catriona back out into the hall, his hazel eyes roaming her face, searching for some kind of explanation. But Catriona is resolute. ‘Are you okay, Darren? Don’t tell me you’re coming down with this bug too.’

‘Catriona! Stop it. You can’t honestly tell me that you believe that’s our daughter in there?’ A pulse in his jaw twitches.

‘Of course it is. Who else would it be?’ She holds his gaze, trying to look as though she has no idea what he’s talking about, convinced he must be able to hear the hammering of her heart.

As long as Catriona doesn’t waver in her conviction, then everything will be okay. Darren will realise that he’s mistaken. Because the alternative… well it doesn’t even bear thinking about.

14

Now