With the nurse’s assistance, she walked to the bathroom and to the wardrobe. What was left of the clothes she’d been wearing hung there. ‘I don’t think I want to wear these,’ she said with a shudder.

She sat in a chair with her hospital gown wrapped around her and listened as the nurse gave her a list of instructions before handing her a prescription for pain relief.

‘You can get it filled downstairs,’ she said. ‘If you need more, you’ll have to go to your GP.’

Molly blamed the medication she’d been given for making her feel woozy and disconnected. She’d get the prescription filled but hoped she wouldn’t need to take them. There was paracetamol at home, that should be sufficient. As soon as the nurse left, she rang Jack. ‘Come and get me and bring me something to wear, please. Something stretchy and comfortable.’

It was over two hours later before she stepped into the hallway of their house, Jack with his arm around her waist, refusing to move from her side until she was sitting on the sofa. He hovered around, insisting on lifting her feet onto the couch, taking off her shoes, tucking a blanket around her, plumping a pillow to put behind her head.

All she wanted, was to be left alone.

‘I’d love a cuppa,’ she said, hoping that if she gave him something to do, he’d leave her be.

In what seemed like seconds, he was putting a mug of tea on the table beside her. ‘Here you go, and I’ll put your tablets here within reach. Make sure you take one when you need to.’

‘Thank you.’

‘It’s going to take a while to get over the shock.’ He perched on the arm of the chair.

‘That someone tried to kill me?’ She pulled up a smile that wavered and died. ‘Maybe a little while.’

‘You told the police about Amelia?’

‘Yes, but I’m not sure they were convinced.’

He reached down to pat her leg. ‘They’ll find whoever is responsible.’ He looked at her ruefully. ‘Do you think you’ll be okay on your own for a few hours? I know it’s Sunday but I’ve an appointment to meet an investor. It was the only day he could meet.’

She’d been surprised when he’d turned up at the hospital in a suit rather than casual clothes. Now she understood why. Despite being relieved he was going, she was hurt that he wouldn’t have cancelled his meeting. ‘I’ll be fine, I’ll probably fall asleep in a while. Go. I’ll see you later.’