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‘Good afternoon, seem to be in a bit of a hurry . . .’ Harry’s stern face darkened even more when he saw who was behind the wheel. ‘Mr Finnegan, would you care to explain why you’re speeding through Broclington while on a driving ban?’

‘Harry . . . Sergeant Brown . . . I’m sorry, but it’s an emergency. Please, it’s Mallow . . . I think she might be dying.’

‘Who?’

He unzipped the top of his hoodie so Harry could see the pathetic bundle of feathers inside.

‘Oh, poor little mite. Is Jake expecting you?’

‘Not yet.’ He realised he should have called ahead, but he hadn’t stopped long enough to look for his phone.

‘Get out of the car, Rick.’

‘Harry, please just let me get her to the vet. Then you can confiscate my car. Have it towed. Have it bloody crushed if you want. Please just let me get her help.’ He didn’t care that he could feel tears dampening his cheeks.

‘Rick, you’re on a driving ban. And even if you weren’t, you’re in no fit state to drive. Hop out and jump in my car.’ He unlocked his phone and handed it to Rick, then jogged back to his car. ‘You call, I’ll drive.’

‘Thank you.’ Rick jogged to the cop car as quickly as he dared, cradling Mallow against his chest with one hand.

When they drew into the vet’s car park, Jake was already at the door waiting for them with a fluffy blanket. ‘What happened?’

He explained quickly, aware that Harry was still watching him closely.

‘Give her here.’ Jake held out the blanket.

He unzipped his jacket, gently and carefully lifted her out. She didn’t complain or struggle when Jake wrapped her up in a towel, burrito-style, which worried him even more. ‘Come on, Mallow. Let’s go see what we’re looking at.’ Jake headed back into the surgery, leaving him to turn to the policeman.

‘Sergeant Brown, I’m so sorry . . .’ he started.

‘Call me when Jake’s finished with her.’ He handed over a business card. ‘You’ll probably have to come into the station, formally present your identification, and we’ll have a chat, but I’m pretty certain this is extenuating, life-or-death circumstances that you will not for any reason repeat, am I right?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Go look after your bird.’

‘I will do. Thank you.’

‘It’s all right.’ The policeman winked at him.

‘Hey, Harry? Coppers can drive any car, right?’

‘For constabulary business, yes.’

‘Like relocating a car driven by someone on a ban that was abandoned on a street somewhere?’

‘Arguably, could be.’ Harry nodded, grinning as he caught on.

He chucked his keys to Harry, guessing the copper would enjoy the car, and raced inside to see how Mallow was.

‘I can’t palpate anything broken, and her air sacs look to be intact. There could be internal bleeding, but I’m reluctant to anesthetise her to take an x-ray. And, if I’m honest, if there’s something wrong internally, there’s not a huge amount I can do. You know parrots are not my specialism, Rick.’

‘I know.’ He nodded tensely. ‘What do you suggest?’

‘Painkillers, supportive fluids, warmth. I can nebulise her in the hospital cage too, and call one of my colleagues who has more avian experience. But I think . . . I hope . . . it’s a bit of shock and bruising.’

‘But she’s going to be OK, right?’

‘I’m optimistic.’ Jake nodded. ‘But you know birds can be trickier to work with than other animals. If she’s all right overnight, she can probably go home with you in the morning.’