Page 73 of The Life We Almost Had

‘Pacemakers, any metal in the body; plates, screws that sort of thing. If Anna were pregnant.’

Nell sighs. ‘She was. Anna had a miscarriage after the accident.’

It is both shock and sadness that steal Oliver’s words. Anna has been through so much more than he had imagined.

‘They had been trying for a baby for five years,’ Nell says.

‘Doyouthink she’s ready for this?’ Oliver respects Eva’s opinion but Nell knows Anna better than anyone. ‘If you don’t think she’s up to it, I’ll call it off now.’ Science is everything to Oliver but even he knows that people… people have to come first.

‘I think she needs this,’ Nell says.

They sit in silence until Sofia brings Anna back to them. Immediately, Nell rushes towards her friend, wrapping her arms around her. Murmuring in her ear. Oliver glances at Sofia. She gives a slight nod.

‘Anna.’ Briefly he touches her shoulder.

‘I want to see Adam.’ Wearily she turns around.

‘Of course. Right away. All the tests are fine so if you want to, we can bring him back here?’

‘Today?’

‘Only if you’re comfortable with that. You could sleep here tonight. Both of you?’

‘I’ve got an early flight,’ Nell says. ‘I don’t want to disturb Anna by getting up at a ridiculous hour.’

‘I can arrange for a car to pick you up from the apartment first thing and drop you at the airport,’ Oliver says.

‘I think that would be best. Is that okay with you, Anna?’

‘I don’t… I guess… Would we begin the trial tonight?’

Oliver hesitates. His head and his heart battling it out. His heart wins. ‘Not today, we need time to settle Adam in.’ They don’t, but Anna looks fit to drop. He knows she’ll push herself through it but he really wants her to get some rest. ‘In the morning though.’

On the way to the hospital, Anna dozes, her head resting against Nell’s shoulder. Nell keeps a palm pressed to Anna’s cheek so her head doesn’t loll when the car turns a corner. The Institute’s private ambulance follows them. Oliver feels his excitement beginning to brew.

But that’s until they reach the hospital.

Until they walk into Adam’s room.

Chapter Forty-One

Anna

My glare is steely. ‘Dr Acevedo, what do you mean Ican’ttake Adam? He’s my husband!’

‘Andmypatient.’ Dr Acevedo doesn’t look away. ‘I don’t think it’s in Adam’s best interests to be moved.’

‘You think he’s going to wake up imminently then?’

‘In my experience Adam’s chance of recovering is—’

‘3 per cent, yes, I know. It shouldn’t matter if I move him then, should it?’

‘Anna—’

‘Mrs Curtis.’

‘Mrs Curtis. I’m familiar with Oliver—’

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