‘Come on,’ said Arthur, steering her along the corridor.

In the canteen, Arthur ignored her protestation that she couldn’t eat, and ordered a plate of fruit and some sandwiches. As soon as they were in front of her, Evie realised she hadn’t eaten in almost two days. She devoured a sandwich.

‘I can’t help feeling guilty, sitting here eating while he’s lying there dying,’ she said at last.

Arthur said nothing, but he nodded agreement.

‘I still can’t believe it’s happening.’

‘Neither can I,’ he said. He sucked in his lips. ‘It’s so wrong. So unfair. Seeing a man like Doug laid so low.’

Evie put down the piece of mango she’d been eating and began to cry. Arthur leaned over the table and took her hand.

‘I may not have loved him in the way I should have done…’ She left unsaid the obvious reason for that. ‘But I do love him, you know.’

‘I know you do.’

‘Even though he’s often cold and finds it hard to express his feelings… but maybe that’s why I care for him. Because I know how hard things are for him.’ She paused. ‘Did he tell you about his brother?’

‘He has a brother?’

‘Had. He died when they were children. See – he couldn’t even bring himself to tell you, his best friend that.’ She explained the story of Bertie’s death and how Hugh was named after him.

‘That explains a lot.’

‘If he dies… when he dies… I don’t think I’ll ever get over it, Arthur. I’ll always wonder if I could have done more for him. Made him happier. Been better at reaching him. He was so closed off. I tried but maybe not enough.’

Arthur smiled sadly. ‘You couldn’t have done more, Evie. And you did reach him. He told me this morning that you were the best thing that happened to him. You were everything to him, Evie. You have nothing to regret.’

‘He said that?’

Arthur nodded. ‘He really loved you. He’s still full of shame about what he did with that woman. I told him you had forgiven him.’

‘I have.’ She voiced it with certainty. She had forgiven him. ‘I know he was remorseful. He just struggled to articulate it. He hurt me, but I believe if he’d known the consequences he’d never have done it.’ She squeezed her hands into tight fists. ‘Or am I being too generous? Just because he’s dying?’

‘We both know Doug’s a complex character – that’s why we both love him.’ Arthur gave her a thoughtful look.

Uncomfortable, Evie changed the subject. ‘How are things with Veronica?’

He looked down and sighed. ‘She’s in a place in Singapore. They’re trying to sort her out. She’d gone haywire. Drinking.’ He put his palms together and intertwined his fingers. ‘The doctors there are confident they can help her.’

‘And you? What do you think?’

‘She’s admitted she needs help. They say that’s half the battle.’

‘Good.’ Evie pushed away her plate and got up. ‘It must be twenty minutes now.’