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‘We will need to bathe him and clean him up.’ Callum rested a finger against the baby’s tiny hand and smiled when he squeezed it tightly. He bounced the hand up and down gently and smiled when the baby hung on. ‘Look, he’s a strong little chap.’

‘You think he’s going to be OK?’

‘Well, Liv is the expert, but I think he’s looking good.’

‘I wholeheartedly agree.’ Liv smiled up at him. ‘But we’ll let the paramedics take a look. They might want to take you both to the hospital, just to check you over, make sure you get the attention you deserve, and that you’re both fit and well. And, I’m afraid you might need a couple of stitches. I’m really sorry about that.’

‘It doesn’t matter.’ Marie stroked her baby’s cheek gently. ‘He’s here, and he’s safe, and we have you both to thank for it. There aren’t enough words to say it, but thank you.’

‘You’re more than welcome,’ Liv replied honestly. ‘I’m really glad I was able to help.’

‘So are we.’ Harry sat behind his wife, his arm cradling her and his new son. ‘That’s why we’re planning to call him Oliver Callum.’

‘Wow, are you sure?’ Callum glanced at Liv, whose eyes had grown glossy and bright.

‘We can’t think of anything better than to name him after the doctors who saved his life.’ Marie smiled warmly at them both. ‘If you’re OK with it?’

‘OK?’ Liv’s voice trembled. ‘I’m completely honoured.’ She leaned over the bed. ‘Hi, Oliver Callum, welcome to the world. You sure know how to make an entrance.’

Callum watched as she cooed over the baby, and felt his stomach twist with sadness and anger; she really didn’t deserve all the pain that had been dealt her. As he watched, he realised he was really, really going to miss her. They’d worked together so well that he wished he could find a way to keep her in Broclington. For far, far longer than the few weeks she had left.

* * *

Liv looked up from where she was examining the placenta. Its delivery had been far easier, and far less dramatic that Oliver Callum’s entrance into the world. She smiled to herself as she folded the delivery pack around it, wrapping it up safely for disposal. Every time she looked at the newborn she’d help bring into the world, she felt a flush of warm pride.

She felt a deep sense of relief too. He was the first baby she’d delivered since the attack, and rather than the feelings of loss and envy that she’d feared, she felt nothing but joy and happiness. And she was so proud to know that even though she’d probably never have a baby of her own, this little one would carry her name for years and years to come, permanently tying her to Broclington, and Callum, even after the locum term was over and she was hundreds — or maybe even thousands — of miles away. It was a wonderfully comforting and reassuring thought.

She smiled at the young family sitting on the bed, where Oliver’s big sister was saying hello to her new brother under the watchful eyes of her parents and the neighbour who’d looked after the toddler while she and Callum had worked upstairs.

‘What do you think? Do you like him?’ The little girl nodded silently, her thumb still tucked firmly in her mouth.

‘Shelley’s going to make a great big sister,’ her proud dad told them all.

‘I don’t doubt it.’ She looked up at the thump of heavy footsteps on the stairs. ‘Sounds like the reinforcements are finally here.’

‘Yup, cavalry has arrived.’

Liv recognised one of the paramedics. ‘Took you long enough, Jerry.’

‘Wasn’t even supposed to be me. Your first lift got re-routed halfway here. Plus, we heard the super docs were here and figured we could take our time.’ He grinned good-naturedly and dropped his heavy bag to the floor and started pulling out supplies. ‘Looks like we were right. Do you want to run through the handover while my partner grabs the stair-chair? I’m assuming you don’t fancy a walk yet, eh, Mum?’

‘Not really.’ Marie winced at the thought.

‘Even if she did, we wouldn’t let her,’ Callum replied. ‘It’s platinum level, five-star treatment from here on out.’

‘Agreed.’ Liv nodded. ‘She’s been a champ, and should be treated like one.’

‘And you needn’t worry about anything here,’ their neighbour offered, again reminding Liv of how wonderfully different things were in Broclington. ‘I can stay here with Shelley and take care of everything while you get looked after.’

A few minutes later, Liv was stood in the front garden waving as Marie was loaded into the ambulance, followed by her beaming husband who proudly cradled their new son.

Callum’s hand landed on her shoulder, and she smiled at the familiar warmth. ‘Thank you, Liv. Seriously.’

She shook her head, not knowing what to say.

His hand squeezed her shoulder before falling away, and despite the warmth of the sun, Liv found herself missing the heat of his touch. ‘You were amazing. I’m fully aware of how easily this could have gone much, much worse.’

‘We were lucky.’