‘Ryan, what is it?’

Ryan was talking harshly into the phone.

‘They’re already bringing him in? OK, I’ll be there as fast as I can.’

And Ryan was on his feet, his chair clattering to the floor behind him. He didn’t even notice that he’d knocked it over.

‘What is it?’ It had to be something awful, Abbey knew. All the colour had drained out of Ryan’s face.

‘It’s my father,’ he said shortly. ‘It sounds like he’s had a heart attack.’

‘Oh, no…’ Janet went white and automatically clutched Jack, as if clutching the baby could ward off catastrophe.

‘Not another one.’ Abbey rose too, grabbing her crutches and shoving them under her arms. ‘Ryan, give me a hand out to the car.’

Ryan stopped dead, and stared back at Abbey. His face had grown suddenly haggard. ‘What do you mean-another? ’

‘He’s had three this year,’ Abbey told him bluntly. ‘He’s running on borrowed time.’

‘But-’

‘Ryan, shut up and move,’ Abbey ordered. She gave Jack a fast pat goodbye. ‘See you later, sweetheart. Mummy has to go back to the hospital. Be good for Gran. Janet, I’ll look after Sam for you, I swear. Don’t worry.’ And Abbey grabbed her crutches and headed for the door.

‘You’re not coming,’ Ryan said automatically, but Abbey was already on her way.

‘Just help me into the damned car,’ she said harshly. ‘I’m not leaving you to look after your own father and, besides, Janet and I love Sam Henry.’

And what Abbey didn’t say-and both of them knew-was that if Sam was in real trouble then Ryan could become next to useless. To be an efficient doctor was an impossibility when the patient was so close.

And if hard decisions had to be made… if life support systems had to be shut down…

Well, Abbey was coming!

Ryan was so shocked he didn’t speak again until they were halfway to the hospital.

When he did he sounded sick.

‘Tell me Dad’s medical history, Abbey.’