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‘And what if it was someone else telling them that?’

She looked up at that, her eyes flashing with anger. ‘I’d call them a liar. And I’d probably get in trouble with the General Medical Council because I’d skin them alive!’

Callum shared her laughter for a moment before becoming more serious. ‘So why do you tell yourself these lies, Liv? Why do you let the voices of “idiots you’d skin alive” have so much power over you now?’

She shrugged half-heartedly.

‘Why do you refuse to see how amazing you are?’

‘I don’t feel amazing,’ she admitted quietly, before turning to face him. ‘I feel tired, and worn down, and like every bad thing everyone has said is true.’

‘Do you trust me, Liv?’

She looked up, clearly surprised at the question. ‘How do you mean?’

‘As a colleague, and expert . . . maybe a friend too. Do you trust me?’

‘I guess so.’ Liv nodded.

‘Then will you please trust me — at least for now — when I tell you how truly and spectacularly awesome you are?’ He tucked a hand around Liv’s cheek and wiped away a tear. ‘Until you’re able to start healing, and know that the voices are just lies, will you please believe me. Until you can start seeing the true version of yourself — the one that I see.’

‘I can’t promise anything.’

‘You can promise to try.’

Liv sighed and pulled Callum’s hand into hers, and leaned back against the cushions. Callum copied her, and smiled as she shifted slightly to rest against his shoulder, her fingers still loosely entwined in his.

‘All right. I promise I’ll try.’ She yawned hugely, and shifted against Callum’s shoulder.

He tugged the blanket more tightly around her and, with nonchalance so forced he was surprised he didn’t pull a muscle, he reached for the TV remote. ‘So, as you’re still officially not discharged from observation, fancy a movie?’

‘Sure.’ She shifted in her seat to get more comfortable, her arm resting scant inches from his. ‘Guest’s choice.’

Chapter Five

Light filtered into Liv’s dreams, nudging her back into consciousness. It stabbed at the back of her eyes, sending flickers of pain running through her head. Rather than risk opening her eyelids, she turned away and tucked her face into the warmth beside her. Strength wrapped around her back and pulled her closer to the warmth that soothed her aches and pushed away the unwanted light.

She shifted to get more comfortable, rolling slightly on her side and tucking her hand beneath her ear and cheek. Her fingers tangled in cloth and brushed against hot skin, and in her sleep-addled state she snuggled closer, enjoying the feel of a heart beating beneath her palm.

A deep vibration echoed through his chest as he repositioned and started to snore. As the vibrations tickled Liv’s palm, awareness crept in and she froze against Callum, suddenly fully conscious and having no idea how she was supposed to act, or if she was even supposed to. For a few moments, she contemplated feigning sleep just to stay where she was for a little longer.

‘I guess, as you’re awake, we should move.’ Despite his words, Callum didn’t make any effort to shift her away from him, and his arm stayed still and warm around her waist.

‘Probably.’ Liv stayed where she was for a few heartbeats longer, then forced herself slowly upright. She grimaced as her head gave a warning thump that matched the throbbing ache in her hand. Her eyes felt gritty and raw, and her throat ached from all the tears she’d shed the night before.

‘Should I ask how you’re feeling?’

‘Maybe after a coffee and some painkillers.’ Liv rubbed her hands over her eyes and groaned. ‘I feel like I’m owed a really good night out. That’s what it usually takes to feel this bad the morning after.’ She tried to crack a joke.

‘I’ve got time to make coffee before I need to collect Sarah from her sleepover,’ Callum offered easily.

‘You don’t need to.’

‘I know that.’ He grinned easily. ‘But I could do with a caffeine hit, and maybe something to eat before facing a gaggle of over-excited six-year-old girls.’

‘So now you’re inviting yourself to breakfast too?’

Callum shrugged. ‘You supply it, I’ll cook it.’