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‘Thanks.’

‘There’s a problem.’ Evelyn closed her eyes and waited for her mum to drop the other shoe. ‘The policy isn’t up to date. Apparently the premiums haven’t been paid in months.’

‘What? But that’s not possible,’ Evelyn argued. ‘I set it up myself. There’s no way I would let Tilly’s insurance lapse. It was on direct debit. There must be a problem with the bank. I’ll have to call them and get this sorted. I paid in good faith so if there’s a technical error they might still honour the policy.’ Evelyn’s mind was racing; she knew the damage a snakebite had the potential to do to a human – liver, heart, kidneys could all be damaged. And Tilly was a lot smaller than a person. Evelyn didn’t even know if the tiny dog was going to survive, but she knew she would do everything within her power to give her every fighting chance.

Her mum interrupted her thoughts. ‘Have you considered that it might not be a problem with the bank, so much as one with your account?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Was it a joint account?’ Her tentative tone made Evelyn freeze. ‘It’s been a while since he’s sent you any money to support Summer, hasn’t it?’

‘He wouldn’t …’ She started to argue again before realising that compared to some of the other things he’d done, and risked, cancelling a few direct debits was close to nothing. ‘He would, wouldn’t he?’ She didn’t wait for the answer. ‘I’ve got to go, Mum. Thanks.’

Evelyn tapped her details for the joint account – the one they used just for bills and direct debits – into the phone and watched in mounting horror as the screen informed her that her username and password didn’t match their records. She took a deep breath and tapped the details in again, this time taking time to ensure she didn’t mistype on the small, virtual keyboard. The third time, the rejection screen loaded almost immediately and she swore loudly.

‘Bastard!’

Jake looked up in surprise.

‘Cheating, greedy, scumbag bastard!’

There was a loud thump, like something hitting the wall hard, and a few seconds later Evelyn limped back through the door, her face darkened with anger.

‘I’d ask if everything is OK, but as it’s clearly not, I’ll ask if I can help instead.’

‘Not unless you can turn back time and make me less of an idiot.’ Evelyn groaned. ‘How is she?’

‘Not much change.’ Jake peered down at his patient.

‘She looks so small right now,’ Evelyn murmured as she sat down. ‘When she’s … normal, she’s cheeky, feisty, smart and crazy energetic, but right now she just looks so small and helpless.’

Jake gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. ‘She’s not helpless. She’s got us.’

The grateful smile Evelyn gave him made him grin properly. He glanced down at Tilly, and knew – once again – that he had to get this little dog well, not just because he hated to lose any patient, but because the thought of seeing Evelyn – and Summer – grieving for their furry family member made his stomach turn even more than usual. For some reason he didn’t understand, whether or not they were happy really, really bothered him, even though he knew there was another man in both their lives who should be worried about making them smile. But he couldn’t help it.

‘You seemed upset after the phone call.’ He let the statement hang in the air, not wanting to put any pressure on Evelyn, but at the same time needing her to know that he was there, waiting to lend a shoulder if she chose to use it.

Evelyn snorted in dark amusement. On anyone else it would have been a bit ugly, but somehow the gesture made her seem even more approachable and attractive. ‘What was it that gave me away? The swearing or kicking your wall so hard I’m limping?’

‘That explains the thump.’

‘Sorry.’

‘It’s a corridor in a vet’s surgery. Believe me, it’s seen worse than a boot toe. Don’t worry about it.’ He shrugged. ‘Is it anything I can help with?’

‘Depends if you’re willing to set up payment plans.’ Evelyn sighed and shook her head. ‘My … ex has turned out to be even more of a bastard than I’d imagined. Sounds like he cancelled the direct debit with Tilly’s insurance company, and I’m locked out of our joint account.’

‘What an arse-hat move.’ Even as he said the words, a small part of him was mentally dancing a jig at the word “ex”.

‘Yeah. That’s a pretty accurate description.’

‘Well, you needn’t worry about my bill. If you can cover the costs of the drugs, that would be great, but seriously don’t bother about the rest.’

‘I can’t possibly accept that.’

‘Of course you can.’ Jake was thrilled to have a way to help. ‘And you have no choice, because I’m the one writing your bill.’

‘Oh my God.’ Evelyn’s green eyes turned luminous as they filled with grateful tears. ‘Thank you so, so much. That’s a huge relief.’ She gave Jake an awkward hug over Tilly. ‘I just, can’t thank you enough. Money is a bit tight at the moment, but I thought I had insurance …’