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‘No, it’s fine, I’ve already called the surgery.’

Evelyn pursed her lips together. She couldn’t remember her mother complaining about being in pain yesterday, and hadn’t noticed her struggling. But then again, she hadn’t spotted Tilly’s issue either. ‘When’s Tilly’s appointment?’

‘In an hour.’

‘Mum, that’s when I’m supposed to be picking Summer up from school.’

‘I know, but I thought it was important and it was the only appointment left. And Tilly does sleep on Summer’s bed.’ Linda continued to squeeze the teabag against the side of the mug, not meeting Evelyn’s eyes.

‘You’re right, of course.’

‘I can pick Summer up from school. I enjoy seeing how excited she is, and hearing about her day anyway.’

‘Me too,’ Evelyn admitted, while silently wondering how much longer Summer would be able to attend school. Her immediate reaction had been to pull her out, but Summer had been so distraught at the thought of leaving all her new friends, that instead she’d worked with Dr Tom and the teachers to let her stay for a few days a week, letting her have some normality for as long as possible. Even though Evelyn really wanted to keep her at home, wrapped in blankets, feeding her chicken soup – as if it would do any good. Her heart ached with loss every time she left Summer at the school door, knowing it was a few less hours she would have with her baby, but it was what Summer had wanted. So far the radiotherapy and steroids had let Summer feel relatively well, but Evelyn doubted she’d be going back for the summer term. And the thought was agonising.

‘Hadn’t you better get ready?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, you’ve not worn make-up for ages, those jeans have seen better days, and running a brush through your hair wouldn’t hurt.’

‘Mum, it’s an appointment at the vet.’

‘With Jake.’

‘And?’ Evelyn was getting a bit fed up of looking at her mum’s back. ‘We’re not getting back together, Mum. And excuse me for not caring what I look like right now. I’ve got one or two other things on my mind that are a little bit more important!’

‘Suit yourself.’ Her mum shrugged.

Evelyn looked down at herself, took in the faded, baggy jeans and fleece and pulled a face. Maybe her mum did have a point. It wouldn’t hurt to spend more than ten seconds grabbing whatever she saw first in the cupboard.

And if she looked like she was doing fine, maybe less people would give her the sympathetic, sad, well-meaning glances that she’d come to hate so much. ‘Fine! Maybe you’re right.’

‘If you think so, darling.’ Linda gave her a too bright smile, and for a moment Evelyn felt a twinge of something resembling suspicion.

‘You do know I’m not getting back together with Jake, don’t you? It wouldn’t be fair on him. I need to focus on Summer.’

‘Of course you do.’

‘OK. Just checking.’ She reached for her mug of tea, which was a lot darker than she’d usually drink it. ‘I guess I’ll take this upstairs and get changed. Thanks, Mum.’

Jake tried not to pace the floor, and resisted the urge to check the clock or peer out of the window again. Linda had texted to warn him that Evelyn was on her way, but not especially happy.

‘Mate, you’re going to wear a hole in the floor.’ Nick grinned at him over his coffee.

‘Can’t help it.’ Jake was overwhelmed with anxiety that fought against hope. He didn’t know how he was supposed to act around Evelyn when she got here. He was still in love with her – if anything the absence she’d enforced had proven the old adage true and he was crazier about her than ever. He wanted to see her, to wrap his arms around her and make everything go back to the way it had been before Evelyn’s last visit to the surgery. Or better, to how it was before Summer collapsed. He couldn’t promise everything would be OK, but with the papers laid out on the desk, and Nick’s expertise, he felt like it could be a possibility.

‘You’re making me nervous now,’ Nick complained.

‘Sorry, mate.’ Jake forced himself to sit down, and immediately started tapping the arm of the sofa and drumming his feet on the floor.

‘I don’t think you were this nervous before you signed the mortgage on this place.’ Nick sat opposite him.

‘That was just money.’

‘A helluva lot of money.’

Jake shrugged.