cs arrived i

ounting every second out loud. She kept one hand on Miriam's shoulder and the other wrapped

she begged. "M

faint sound came out,

. They're

th a medical bag and stretcher. Victoria scrambled back

she take?"

found a bottle.

xpression tighten

the c

sealed it in a clear bag. His colleague checked

ything?" the firs

re were two cups of te

n't thi

She hadn't been drink

glance with his colleague. "We n

lid over the edge. Victoria caught her hand and

come wi

you f

er emp

ng the bottle information an

-up on the floor: a boy with a crooked grin, school blazer too large for his shoulders. Miriam'

fingers twitched. Victoria p

" she said.

icky with tea and her blouse spotted with dark coffee. Her knees sudden

coffee and leave. Then Miriam had found the bottle. Victoria had been so focused

rs examined Miriam. Victoria gave them the bottle and explaine

" she

taste a

N

ny cup that might hav

N

ly. The nurse paused, pen

ou cer

cer

down. "We'll have a doct

led of antiseptic and overheated radiators. Somewhere beyond the double doors, a child wa

hone

you leave? The k

sage. She typed, Miriam co

ly came

hap

und so

red. Disappeared

id she

ightened. She put t

t ten minutes la

rang up. "I

e monitoring her and running tests. We ca

I see

's frightened, so pleas

dded and fo

oxygen tube resting under her nose. Her eyes

king her hand. "I should have

ed weakly around hers.

d

something

ch clenched. "I

ent into th

N

face. "You were afr

afraid

hy

wer without explaining the loop, Daniel's c

ackened. "That's

kno

visit. Victoria promised she would come b

ting by the ho

d and his jaw set. His tie was loosened, his hair dam

t answer m

m's st

happ

und a b

was

iso

ound the paper cup. It buckle

he ki

as it

n't k

riam ta

know tha

. It bounced off the rim and landed on

ave called me

y keeping

owed. "What d

wards the exit. Dan

alk away

free. "

ed over. Daniel lowered his voi

hiding s

are

ghtly, but she saw i

onfirmed Miriam would remain under observation

pped to her hands

ad a ba

ened to th

ia wen

t co

ning. When I came home, you'd smashed anoth

d it was

bottle behind the bread bin. And I found

hospital corridor

s eyes stayed fixed on hers. "Y

aid n

aned in, just enough that his next words belonged