When a mobile number she didn’t recognise flashed up on her phone, Alicia almost didn’t answer it. She was preparing to head up to London for her interview and didn’t want to be distracted by cold callers. For some reason, she decided to take the call.

“Is that Alicia?” The voice was male.

“Yes, who is this?”

“I’m Drew Rivers, Callan’s father.”

Alicia’s heart almost stopped. What was he doing calling her? “Um, hello?” She heard heavy breathing on the other end of the line before Drew spoke again.

“There’s been an accident at The Unbound Soul. I thought you should know.”

Her chest tightened. “What happened?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Fire broke out in the upstairs kitchen. There’s been quite a bit of smoke damage, although the emergency services did manage to get there in time.”

She had heard sirens during the night, nothing unusual in that part of town though. “Callan, was he…?”

“He was downstairs when the fire started.”

Her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the bed, her pulse pounding, fearing the worst. “Is he…?”

“Callan’s in hospital. He inhaled a lot of smoke and they think he’s going to be fine. He’s been asking for you.”

“He wants to see me?”

“You’re the one he’s been asking for, sweetheart,” said Drew. “He’s in St Andrews. That’s where I am.”

“I can be there in about twenty minutes. I’ll call you when I arrive.”

As Alicia disconnected the call, she took a few breaths to compose herself. She had been on the verge of heading off, in the hope of pastures new, and her past was calling to her. Was she doing the right thing by rushing to see him? Was she jeopardising her future by blowing off the interview? She ran a hand through her hair, wishing Nell were there. Nell would know what to do for the best.

Alicia looked down at her phone and dialled the number she needed.

The woman she had been due to interview with had sounded understanding when Alicia called to explain there had been a family emergency and she needed to rearrange. No doubt she had heard that same excuse a hundred times over.

It took her longer than she thought to get to the hospital. Apparently three-inch heels weren’t the most comfortable when it came to walking across town at speed. She walked into the reception area and looked around for Callan’s dad. There was a chap fiddling with his phone sitting in one of the chairs. He had a similar bone structure to Callan and almost the exact same shade of dark hair, albeit peppered with some silver.

“Drew?” asked Alicia as she approached him.

“Alicia?”

She nodded and held out her hand.

Drew shook it solemnly. “Thank you for coming. Callan’s going to be so happy to see you.”

Her stomach churned at the thought of seeing Callan as she followed Drew to the lifts and up to the second floor. It was like a rabbit warren, and she hoped she would be able to find her way out.

Callan’s father acknowledged one of the nurses standing outside a ward and spoke quietly to her. He gestured to Alicia, and the nurse nodded, beckoning Alicia towards her.

“Not too long now. Mr Rivers needs to get some rest.”

All beds on the small ward were occupied, and Callan was in one on the far side. He lay with his back towards them as they went in.

“Callan?” Drew said. “You’ve got a visitor.”

Callan turned over, and as his eyes, already red and bloodshot, fell on Alicia they filled with tears. Alicia’s did the same.

“Hey,” croaked Callan. His voice came out hoarse and he broke into a cough almost immediately after speaking.

“What have we told you about talking too much?” said another nurse. “Take it easy,” she warned.

Alicia was grateful for the opportunity to turn away and speak to someone else for a moment. It was almost as difficult for her to speak, so choked was she with emotion.

“He’s very lucky. We’ve fully checked him over now and everything appears to be in order. We will keep him a bit longer to check he doesn’t have any adverse reaction, but I’m confident there won’t be any issues.”

“That’s good to hear.” Alicia turned back to Callan. Lying on the bed, wearing a hospital gown, he was deathly pale, and his tattoos stood out in stark contrast to the pure white of the bedsheets. He gave off an air of vulnerability, and it took all of Alicia’s willpower not to gather him in her arms. She glanced over at Drew, who looked out of the window as if he were trying not to intrude. “Um, Drew, would you mind if I spoke to Callan alone for a bit?”

Drew looked at Callan, who nodded. “Sure, I’ll go get a coffee.” He placed a hand on Callan’s arm. “I’ll come back to see you later.”

Alicia sat on the edge of the bed. Callan reached for her hand, but she pulled it away. She needed to talk to him first.

“I saw you with Isobel at the wedding. I saw you kissing her.”

“She was kissing me…” Callan began. Alicia held up her palm.

“Every time there’s been an issue in our relationship, it always comes back to Isobel. What she did to you was unforgivable, and how she ruined your bond with Xander, particularly when you had no idea what was going to happen, was deplorable. If you want it to work with anyone else, you have to get over her. It seemed that you would rather be in that destructive relationship than be with me.” The words came tumbling out and once she’d said them, Alicia felt better.

“Believe me, I have no desire to get back with Isobel. That part of my life is over.”

“I heard what you did to Jason, all because he brought Isobel to the wedding. While he was in the wrong, you should have spoken to him about it, not beaten seven shades out of him.”

“I was angry and saw red. I think I still am. About Isobel and Xander, about Xander dying.” Callan’s tone was barely above a whisper, and Alicia had to strain to hear him. “Meeting you when I did, given the timing, was the best thing that had happened to me in ages and I would really like it if you would give us another chance.”

Alicia’s heart constricted at Callan’s words. There was a huge part of her that wanted that, but another piece that told her to slow down, to take a step back, start again. “I had an interview today,” she said slowly. “For a job in London.”

Callan’s face twisted in sadness and disappointment, and Alicia knew she’d hurt him.

“How did it go?” he asked.

“I didn’t get there. Your dad called me, and I cancelled it to come here to see you.”

“Does that mean there’s a chance for us?” His eyes were full of hope.

“I said I’d get back to her to rearrange.”