Mary Helston was waiting in the drawing room. She opened her arms and wrapped Evie in an embrace.

‘My poor darling. Frank called me from the hospital and told me what’s happened.’ Her eyes filled with tears. ‘How is Doug?’

‘He wants to die. He’s decided to die. I need a stiff gin.’ She moved towards the sideboard but Benny appeared and did the honours, while proffering his good wishes for the tuan. Evie collapsed into a chair.

‘It’s food not alcohol you need, Evie. When did you last eat?’ Mary’s face was full of concern.

Evie waved her hand dismissively. ‘Where’s Jasmine?’

‘Upstairs helping Susan bath the babies. She’s anxious to see you, but I asked if I could have a few moments with you first.’

‘What does she know?’

‘Just that her daddy has had an accident and is in the hospital.’

Evie put her head in her hands. ‘How the hell am I going to tell an eight-year-old her father’s going to die.’

Mary closed her eyes. ‘Oh, Lord, Evie. Surely it won’t come to that?’

‘Short of a miracle it will. Even if I manage to change his mind in the morning it may still be too late to prevent blood-poisoning.’ She ran her fingers through her tangled hair. He’s made up his mind to die. Doug is an obstinate man and he refuses to contemplate losing a leg. He thinks death is preferable.’

‘You have to tell her the truth. If you dress it up she’s going to be even more shocked when she finds out. Tell her he’s had a terrible accident and prepare her that he may not make it. Children are more resilient than we give them credit for.’

Evie began to cry softly. ‘I don’t think I’m strong enough to get through this.’

‘Yes, you are. You are the strongest person I know.’ Mary gave her another hug. ‘And tomorrow, once he’s got over the shock, he may look at things differently.’

‘Tomorrow may already be too late. I need to talk to Jasmine.’

26

Telling Jasmine what was happening to her father was the hardest thing Evie had ever had to do, but the child made it easier. The little girl listened solemnly, then said, ‘I’ll be like you. We’ll both have no daddy.’ Lip trembling, she was clearly struggling not to cry, and Evie’s heart lurched as she gathered her step-daughter into her arms.

‘We’ll have to be strong for each other and for Hughie,’ Evie said, stroking the little girl’s hair. ‘Sometimes I’ll be very sad and I’ll need you to cheer me up and sometimes you’ll be sad and I’ll try to cheer you up.’

‘What happens if we’re both sad at the same time?’

‘Oh, my darling!’ She squeezed the child tight against her breast. ‘We’ll have to hope that Hugh can cheer us both up.’

Jasmine nodded, her face grave. ‘Hughie’s always good at making me smile. He’s a very happy baby. He makes me happy too.’