“Megan,” I hear Mia say as I walk along the hallway to the lift.

“Hi, Mia.”

“Come and see Mark. He is asking for you.”

I feel like a knife has just been stabbed into my heart.

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” I question Mia.

“Yes.” She pauses. “Come on.”

Taking hold of my hand, she pulls me around to walk the other way down the hallway. I turn to face Jake, who gives me a little smile, and then follows me. I don’t seem to have walked far before I’m faced with a door.  It’s a door that looks the same as the last time he was in hospital. I inhale deeply as Mia forces me into the room.

“Megan, it’s so nice to see you,” Annabella announces as I walk into the room.

I see Mark, lying there in bed while drips flow into him. He turns and faces towards me.

“Can you all leave Megan and me to talk?” He pauses. “Please?”

Everyone leaves the room apart from Jake. “You can wait outside, Jake. I should be fine,” I tell him. 



“I’ll be outside the room, hun,” he says, smiling at me and closing the door as he leaves.

“Remind me not to give you shooting lessons,” Mark says, letting out a cheeky smile.

“I’m so sorry,” I say as tears stream from my eyes.

“Hey, don’t worry. I told you to do it.” He pats the side of the bed. I slowly walk over, taking a seat beside him.

“You’re a crap shot anyway. You hit my arm.” He grins.

“I aimed for your chest.”

“See, you’re a bad shooter.”

“I’m so sorry,” I repeat, tilting my head down.

“Tell me why you left, Megan. I need to know,” Mark says, placing his hand on my knee.

“John.” I pause. “John told the police that I couldn’t see my daughter ever again if I was with you.”


“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to hurt you. It killed me to leave you,” I explain, lifting my head and looking into his eyes.

“I love you, Megan. That wasn’t going to bother me. I would have understood it more.”

“I heard you wrecked your house.”

“Easily fixed, baby,” he states, smiling at me.

“I best let you get some rest.” I stand up, turning to leave.

“Megan, don’t.”

“Don’t what?” I reply, walking towards the door.

“Leave.”

“I need to check on Lucy.”

“Come here.” I do as he says and walk back towards him. “I understand why you left. I don’t want to lose you.”

“But, if I get back with you, he will go for Lucy,” I tell him, openly stating my worry.

“I understand, baby, but can you see the police letting him anywhere near her now?”

“No, but until I have Lucy better and paperwork in place to stop John from getting her, I can’t. I just can’t.” I quickly run out of the room. I can’t be near him.

“Hun.” I hear Jake bellow behind me. I stop at the lift, pressing the button. Come on. Hurry up. “Hey, Megan,” he says as he wraps his arms around me.

“I can’t do it,” I say, tears falling from my eyes again. Jake pulls me tighter.

“Don’t worry. Let’s go and see Lucy.”

I slowly walk into the baby unit. I don’t know what to expect at all. What will be new with my baby girl? I hope she is better. I can’t have her poorly.

“Megan,” Elizabeth says firmly.

“Morning, Elizabeth.”

“You’re looking loads better today.” She pauses. “I have good news. Lucy is fine. There are no signs of any permanent damage from the drugs.”

“That’s great. When can I take her home?” I question. I don’t want to be here any longer.

“She can go home today, but she needs to come back in three days for repeat blood tests.”

“Can I have it done at the doctor’s office where we live?” I ask.

“I’d rather have her close, just in case something happens. No long journeys.”

“Fine.” I hurry over to see Lucy.

“Hey, gorgeous,” I say as I see her climbing around her large cot, giggling as normal. “I love you, baby girl.” I pick her up. Finally being able to hold my little girl is such a relief.

“You’re staying at Luke’s. It’s already sorted,” Jake says.

“Thank you.”