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He wasn’t sure why he was doing it – he never let anyone edit his drawings. It was bad enough when they were changed after they’d been digitised, but when it was the live drawings his hands and magic had touched? He didn’t let anyone touch them – it was far too personal.

But handing his drawings and equipment to Amrita seemed natural. Inevitable.

He’d felt it the moment her finger traced the new line across his drawing: the flare of magic that flashed across his vision, sketching the building in light and sensation that no one else could see. Like always, it would guide his hand and drawings. It was like looking into a future where the structures became inevitable – just waiting for him to turn them into living, breathing designs. Then they just needed building.

It was also intensely intimate – to have someone else activating and guiding his magical vision. He doubted she had any idea what she’d done, yet his gift responded to her in a way he’d never experienced – as if he’d been waiting to meet her. To recognise her.

He let out a shaky breath as the vision receded, leaving the lines she’d hesitantly drawn glowing on the page. He wondered if she saw the illumination too.

‘What do you think?’

‘I think it’s brilliant. Like it was always supposed to be like that.’

She smiled. ‘Maybe it should. I always think accessibility shouldn’t feel apologetic. The need for better access is integrated into my patients’ lives. Why shouldn’t it be integrated into the buildings they live, work, play and recover in? Good access makes life easier for everyone.’

‘You’re really passionate about this.’

‘Dangerously so, at times.’ She grinned. ‘I’m told I can be kind of prickly.’

‘You were an unforgettable first impression,’ he told her, trying to be honest but knowing it wasn’t even close to the truth. ‘Your patients are lucky to have someone on their side who cares so much.’

‘Thank you. That’s a really nice thing to say.’

Her soft smile made his magic start to fizz again, and he desperately wanted her to keep talking – to get to know her better. ‘Can I ask how you got into it?’

‘Why?’ Her dark eyes flashed with amusement. ‘Are you considering a career change? Aren’t you at least a decade too early for a midlife crisis?’

He laughed. ‘I think I’m better with foundations and walls than I would be looking after people. For one thing, bricks tend not to care about first impressions.’

As he’d hoped, she laughed, the sound buzzing through him. ‘Yeah, having seen how you react to someone critiquing your designs, I dread to think how you’d feel about a patient arguing care plans!’

‘But you’re the professional, surely it doesn’t happen that often?’

‘Pretty much every patient.’ She laughed again. ‘But to answer your other question, I think my route into healthcare was pretty similar to a lot of people’s: personal experience. I broke my leg quite badly when I was young. Recovery was pretty rough, until I was lucky to meet an amazing therapist… and I decided that was what I wanted to do for a job.’

‘And you enjoy it?’

‘I really do.’ She nodded. ‘It’s such an amazing thing to be able to help people overcome pain – sometimes that they’ve had for years – and regain the ability to live in a way that they want to, stronger, fitter, and healthier for longer.’

‘That’s amazing.’

‘It has its moments.’ Another soft smile. ‘And it feels like it’s important work. It might sound cheesy, but I like feeling like I make a positive difference in the world.’

‘I don’t think it’s that cheesy. And you’re right, it is important. I mean, anyone can get injured…’

‘And nearly a quarter of people have a disability.’

‘Really? Wow. I didn’t know it was that high.’

‘Most people don’t.’ She pulled a face. ‘That’s part of the problem. They don’t see how prevalent living with challenges is, because they’re invisible.’

‘People?’

‘No.’ Amrita laughed. ‘Their disabilities. Although, sadly, a lot of patients do feel overlooked because of poor accommodation or bad, thoughtless designs. I’m talking about conditions that aren’t easily seen. Things like arthritis, MS, fibromyalgia, chronic pain and joint disorders. Huntington’s. To the average person, patients fighting these conditions every day don’t look any different to you or me, but in reality, most say it’s a daily uphill battle just to get out of bed and do what everyone else takes for granted.’

She looked up at a clatter across the room, and Jamie wondered if Mist was back. He wouldn’t put it past her to be interfering again. Not wanting that complication, he pulled Amrita’s attention back to the designs. ‘I’m guessing my “helpful access ramp” with the wrong gradient just put an extra hill in front of them. Or in front of Sylvie, at least.’