‘She put something up her bum,’ I interrupt, pointing at Ambulance Woman in a fury. ‘I saw her do it. Her.’ I shake my finger. ‘Twice. And then she stopped moving.’

‘Yes,’ he says again, smiling. ‘It’s a suppository. It’s a common way of administering paracetamol in children, particularly if a seizure prevents us doing it orally.’

‘She stuck it up her bum!’ I shout, pushing and shoving at Ambulance Woman. ‘She’s only three. And you’re telling me that’s normal? She was twisting, flopping, screaming, spewing, and then suddenly she’s just lying there, not even like she’s asleep but like she’s dead, like she’s actually dead.’

I strain as hands close round my elbows, holding me still.

‘If she’s hurt her, I’ll fucking kill her, I swear I will…’

There’s a crunch as I stand on the blister pack that’s fallen out of my pocket. Ambulance Woman bends to pick it up, handing it to the doctor before looking back at me.

‘Those are mine,’ I say, trying to reach for the packet, but my arms are pinned against my sides. ‘I need them. They were in my pocket.’

I squirm against the person standing behind me as the doctor turns the packet over and over in his hand.

‘You’ll let me know how this one turns out?’ Ambulance Woman says to someone over my head. Then she nods, turns and walks away, clumping off through the swinging doors and out into the open like this happens all the time.

‘Carly, is it?’ I twist round to see a policeman above me, hands still firm on my elbows. 114

‘What do you care?’ I say, straining against him. ‘It’s her you want. And you’re just letting her get away.’

‘I’m going to let go of you now,’ he interrupts, ‘but you won’t get to see your sister if there’s any more lip. OK?’

I squirm again. I can hardly leave Kayleigh alone ever again after this. I rub my elbows as he comes round to stand next to the doctor in front of me.

‘We’re going to go and see your sister now, Carly,’ the doctor says, my pills still in his hand. ‘And then we’ll talk about what happens next, OK?’

‘I … I need those back,’ I say, swaying a little as I remember why I needed them in the first place. ‘Those pills. They’re really important.’ I shift from foot to foot as they both stare at me. ‘Please? Please can I have them?’

The doctor turns the packet over and over and over in his hand before looking at me again. I stiffen as he leans towards me until I realise he’s tucking them back into my pocket.