Where are you? Why haven’t you called? Where ARE you?

Then, just as it felt unbearable, just as she was sure she needed to hold her hand under the scalding tap, or against the burner on the hob – anything to distract herself – she heard the blessed, blessed sound of tyres on gravel. He was home!

She ran to the door as he was unlocking it. Safe, whole, home to her. She flew into his arms. ‘Thank God! I was so worried!’

‘Hey, hey, what’s this? I’m not even very late.’

‘It’s just – you didn’t call and I . . .’

He pulled away, putting his hands on her shoulders. ‘Elle-belle, we talked about this. I can’t always leave on time, or get to my phone.’

She nodded, trembling. Shame was pouring into her like a sluice gate. ‘I’m sorry, darling. I just love you so much. I worry!’

He was gentle. ‘I know. But everything’s fine. Darling, you aren’t going funny again, are you?’

She avoided his gaze. ‘Of course not. I just worry.’

‘Well, I’m here now. How about some dinner for a hungry man?’

‘Of course.’ Her head was already clearing, filling with what she needed to do. Turn up the casserole, make a salad, slice the bread, pour wine for him. Make sure the bottle she’d opened wasn’t too empty and if it was, hide it and open a fresh one, pour out one glass to make it look like that was all she’d had. ‘Was it a terrible day?’

‘The usual disaster zone.’ He couldn’t tell her what he did all day, she knew that. Patient confidentiality. Her heart swelled with pride for him. Saving lives, ushering children into the world. Stitching women back together as they lay, broken and bloody. And here he was, coming back to her. The least she could do was make sure he had a welcoming home to return to.

‘Sit down, darling.’ She massaged his shoulders, trying to ease him into a chair. ‘You must be so tired. I’ll bring you a drink. Whisky? Or wine?’

He stayed standing, gently pushing her away. ‘I need a shower first. That hospital smell.’ A nightly ritual, it helped him relax.

‘Of course. There’s fresh towels and that soap you like.’

He paused at the foot of the stairs, smiling at her with tired eyes. ‘What would I do without you? I’ll be down in a minute.’

She heard him go upstairs, and once again she looped the living room, making sure nothing was out of place, everything was neat and clean and tidy. Perfect.