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‘Yes, she had, and I knew what she was worried about so please tell me what’s happening.’

‘Okay, I’ve told her not to jump to any conclusions until she speaks to Connor.’

‘But Connor’s not there?’ Ellie said.

‘No, that’s the problem. Connor is not there. He’s at work and we’ve only been able to text him. I’ve only spoken to him once.’

‘What about Greg? Surely, he can take over? Dru is more important than any case!’

‘I’m not sure what case Connor’s working on at the moment but he’s kept Greg out of the loop with this one too. He’s as much in the dark as Dru is. All Connor will say is that it’s top secret and he can’t tell anybody what’s happening.’

‘For God’s sake,’ Ellie said. ‘I just can’t believe it. His wife’s in hospital and he can’t see her and he can’t talk to her?’

‘I know,’ Emma said. ‘Calm down, bub. It’s okay, Dru’s fine. I’m almost to her room now. Would you like to speak to her?’

Ellie smiled as her nickname of many years ago came out of Emma’s mouth automatically. It was the first time Emma had called her bub for a long time. Dad had christened Ellie “Bub” before Dru was born and it stuck until Ellie went to school.

‘What do you think, Em? Do you think I should?’

‘On second thought, maybe not. When she talks about what happened, her blood pressure does go up a bit.’

‘What happened?’

‘She thought she saw Connor getting into a car with another woman and that he reached for her hand as soon as he got into the car.’

‘Not Connor. It has to be innocent,’ Ellie insisted. ‘He adores Dru and Ruby.’

‘That’s what I keep telling Dru, but until she and Connor sit down and talk, she is stressed. She tries to hide it, but you know what she’s like.’

‘I do. Ever since that bastard, Zayed, in Dubai. He did such a number on her.’ Ellie lightened her grip on the phone. She was holding it so tightly her hand was pins and needles. ‘Surely Connor can come and see her. Or is he overseas?’

‘That’s the problem. He won’t say where he is.’

‘Does Mum know what’s going on?’

‘No, Dru’s fine, so I decided not to bother either of you.’

‘I’m glad I called,’ Ellie said.

‘I am too, but Ellie, you let go of it too. Dru’s in the right place, she’s got me close by, they’re keeping double tabs on her, her obstetrician’s great and the nursing staff here have been fabulous. There was talk of moving her to a private hospital, but the neonatal unit’s here so she’s made the wise decision to stay in the Royal.’

‘That’s good. Please stay in touch with me. Send me a text every day and keep me in the loop.’ Ellie sighed. ‘It’s so out of character for Connor. What’s he playing at?’

‘I honestly don’t know,’ Emma said. ‘Jeremy and I have discussed it endlessly at night after the girls have gone to bed and we can’t figure out what’s happening either.’

‘Well, I hope he shows his bloody face shortly,’ Ellie said as anger rose. ‘How can he do that!’

‘I’ll send you a text or ring you tomorrow. I have to work out the time difference.’

‘Tea time for you is good for me,’ Ellie said.

‘Okay, that sounds easy. And if I don’t call or contact you, don’t panic. It will just mean I’ve been called into work. We’re so short at the moment.’

‘I won’t worry. Thanks, Em, and take good care of our little sis. Love you.’

‘Love you too, bub.’

Ellie disconnected the call and slipped her phone back into the bag. She quickly finished her drink, stood and slipped her sarong over her bikini.