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‘Yes. We think so. Me, Dad, your mum, Mr Khan and Mr Hazelmire.’

‘Who is Hazelmire?’ Evelyn shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter. What do you think you’ve found?’

‘Hazelmire is a consultant oncologist in Boston. And he’s the one who thinks he can help Summer.’

‘Are you sure about this?’ Her hands were shaking, and he gently reached out and took them in his, praying that she wouldn’t pull away.

‘I wouldn’t be sitting here telling you if I wasn’t. Dad looked at everything, and called Mr Kahn’s team. He called the American team, and they’ve reviewed Summer’s case. They believe they can help her.’ He handed her the file. ‘It’s all in here.’

Her hands were shaking, making the papers rustle as she tried to read them. ‘I can’t do this. I’m shaking too hard to read it.’

‘It’s OK.’ Jake nodded, understanding. ‘It’s a new treatment regime. One that uses new drugs and technology alongside existing ones.’

‘So it’s a trial?’

Jake nodded. ‘Yes, but the results are really promising.’

‘How promising?’ Evelyn held her breath.

‘They’ve had patients with high risk, stage 4 neuroblastomas. And even for them, they’re reporting good outcomes. Their overall results are standing at a two-year, event-free survival rate of eighty-six per cent.’

‘Eighty-six per cent?’ Her breathing was fast and shallow, her eyes filling with tears.

‘86.4 per cent to be precise. And it’s just gone to phase 4 trials.’

‘Phase 4?’ Evelyn’s brow furrowed as she stared at him. ‘But if it’s so well established, why didn’t Summer’s oncology team know about it? Who is this Hazelmire? Is he even trustworthy?’ She was getting agitated.

‘I need you to try and stay calm and let me answer.’ He waited for her nod. It was tenser than he would have liked, but he couldn’t blame her for that. ‘It’s only gone into phase 4 in the last few weeks. Summer wouldn’t have been eligible for phase 3.’

‘So the eligibility criteria has changed with the next phase.’ She nodded. ‘A phase 4 trial. That’s good.’

‘Not exactly.’

‘How not exactly?’

‘Not at all, exactly. Summer isn’t eligible for the trial.’

‘That’s why Summer’s doctors didn’t tell me about it. They knew she couldn’t have it.’ She snatched her hands away from his, and he instantly felt the loss of her touch. ‘Why the hell are you telling me about this? If she can’t have it, why bother tormenting me?’

‘Because Hazelmire – who was the lead on the trial – believes in the regime so much that he’s got permission to take it into his private practice. Summer can have the treatment privately.’

‘Do you have any idea how much that would cost? How little chance I have of raising enough money to get her the meds that could save her life?’ She was on her feet now.

‘We think just over three hundred thousand.’ Jake stood slowly.

‘Oh my God.’ Evelyn choked on tears. ‘That’s impossible.’

‘By yourself, yes.’ He took hold of her shoulders. ‘But you’re not alone.’

‘Oh, you’re a secret millionaire are you? Are you going to give me hundreds of thousands of pounds?’

‘Guess that’s my cue.’

Evelyn jumped and span around to stare at the strange man who stood in the now open kitchen doorway, virtually filling it with his broad shoulders. He held a tray filled with cups and a pile of plates and pastries.

‘Your snack selection is crap, but I found these in the cupboard. I’ve already eaten one. They’re not too bad. Do you take sugar in your tea, Evelyn?’

‘Erm …’ She had no idea what to say, or how to act in front of this stranger who must have heard almost everything. She stared at him in confusion, trying to place him. He seemed familiar, and at the same time she hadn’t a clue who he was. Tall, broad and muscular, he looked like he could have headed up the English rugby team.