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‘OK.’ She held her hand out to Callum.

‘Two of the shiniest coins, coming right up.’ He tried not to notice when Liv’s fingers brushed the sensitive skin of his palm as she picked out a bright silver five-pence piece.

‘It’s your turn.’ They both watched him expectantly.

‘OK.’ He tried not to roll his eyes at the ridiculousness of it all as if a wish would be able to magic up money from the cash-strapped CCG.

‘Go on, Daddy. Throw in your wish and gift.’

What the hell? He tossed the coin in and turned away. At least it would keep Sarah happy.

* * *

‘It’s your turn, Liv!’ Sarah watched her expectantly, and suddenly the coin in her hand felt a lot heavier than it had any right to. Liv curled her fingers around it tightly, and felt its smooth edges dig into her palm. Somehow, the childish game had taken on much more significance and she found herself struggling to let go of the coin — of the wish — that she held in her fist. Just like it had so many times in her past, in emergency situations, the world slowed around her and sounds became muted as complete focus took over.

But instead of a patient and a medical problem, the realisation that snapped her thoughts into clear focus was the understanding that suddenly — for the first time that she could remember — she had something she really, really wanted to wish for. It was Broclington. It was her patients, and feeling like she was part of a community. It was the new friends she’d made. And it was Sarah and Callum — whatever they were, and whatever they’d become to her. The happiness she felt around her, as tangible as if she’d wrapped herself in a cosy blanket, was what she wanted to wish for. It was what she wanted to keep.

She squeezed the coin — her wish — even more tightly in her hand, hoping that somehow the magic Sarah so fervently believed in could be real, before releasing it into the well. She watched as it flashed and twinkled, bouncing off the ancient stones. For the moment before it disappeared, it seemed to hang in the air, before vanishing with the faintest of splashes.

‘What did you wish for?’ Callum watched her with interest.

‘No!’ Sarah squealed. ‘It’s fairy magic. If you tell your wish too soon, it won’t come true. You can only tell when it comes true. And only then if you really want to!’

‘Apparently it’s a secret.’ Liv shrugged, relieved that she didn’t have to share her innermost thoughts, or make up a trite lie.

‘We should get going, munchkin.’ Callum held out his hand to Sarah.

‘Do we have to?’

‘Yes, we have to.’ He mimicked her tone almost exactly, and Liv found herself having to smother a laugh. ‘I have things to do, Liv has things to do, and I’m pretty sure you have homework.’

‘Only reading and drawing.’

‘It’s still homework.’ He glanced at Liv. ‘And homework is important, right?’

‘Right.’ She nodded firmly. ‘If me and your dad hadn’t done our homework when we were younger, we wouldn’t have been allowed to become doctors.’

‘All right then.’ Sarah sighed dramatically, and Liv could see Callum struggling not to laugh.

‘Say thank you to Liv for having us visit today.’

‘Thank you, Liv,’ Sarah parroted obediently before wrapping her arms around Liv’s waist. ‘But I’ll see you next weekend.’

‘Maybe.’ Liv nodded, not wanting to promise anything, or put Callum in an awkward position.

‘Yes you will. At the party.’

‘What party?’

‘The one for Summer being better and coming home.’

‘Summer? Isn’t she the daughter of the other nurse? The one who’s been in America?’

‘Yup. Her mum works with Dad. And Uncle Jake and her mum are boyfriend and girlfriend. Summer was sick, but she’s better now, ’coz Santa came to Broclington in summer to make sure she could get the special medicine and now we get two Christmases. But only in Broclington.’

‘OK.’ Liv wasn’t sure she understood, or how she was supposed to respond.

‘You are coming to the party, aren’t you?’