Page 42 of The Baby Plan

“Yes. They say they’ll take her straight up to the Children’s Ward.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Sophie ended the call.

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down before starting the car again. Fear flooded through her: the last time she’d been in that hospital, her sister had died. She couldn’t lose Alana as well. She knew she was overreacting but wasn’t able to stop. Her niece was still so little, and the doctors must have been very concerned about her breathing to have called an ambulance. Sophie berated herself. How could she not have noticed how unwell Alana was? Had she been too busy getting ready for work she’d missed one of the warning signs? She’d read up on so much medical advice since Alana came into her life, she should have seen anything coming! Would Samson blame her? It must be horrible for him dealing with it by himself.

She parked at the hospital, with more upsetting memories of the awful night Natasha had passed away flashing through her mind, and, following the signs as best as she could considering the state she was in, she ran to the Children’s Ward.

The reception was unmanned, and Sophie glanced around frantically for help. A nurse approached, and Sophie managed to get her attention.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for Alana Perring? Could you tell me where she is?”

“Are you family?” the nurse asked.

“Yes.”

“We’re not busy today so we were able to pop her in a side room,” explained the nurse. “Number 7, at the end of the corridor to your left. If you head down there, I’ll be right behind you. I’m due to check on her.”

Sophie thanked the nurse, her fear subsiding thanks to the nurse’s calm demeanour; the medical staff were obviously not panicking — but she wouldn’t be happy until she’d seen Alana for herself.

She went along the corridor. The door to Alana’s room was open, and Samson sat in the armchair next to a cot. He looked up and spotted her at the same time as she saw him.

Alana was wrapped in her father’s arms — he held an oxygen mask in front of her face.

Relief at being with her niece fought with her terror at the idea of the baby not being able to breathe without assistance.

“Don’t panic,” Samson said kindly. “It’s a precaution. Hopefully it won’t be for long — she’s not happy keeping it on.” Alana was sleepy and looked very sorry for herself, her blonde hair damp with sweat.

There was a knock at the open door as the nurse who’d directed Sophie came in.

“Hello there,” she said to Alana. “I need to take her temperature again,” she explained, and produced a thermometer which she held in the little girl’s armpit. Alana squirmed a little but didn’t complain.

“So, Alana has a bad case of croup,” the nurse said to Sophie. “She’s had prednisolone and will be fine. She should begin to feel and sound a lot better within the next couple of hours, but we’ll need to observe her overnight. We can set up a camp bed by Alana’s cot if Mum or Dad would like to stay?” she suggested.

“I’m Alana’s aunt . . .” Sophie began. “I’ll stay.”

“We’ll both stay if that’s possible,” said Samson.

“You’re both welcome to, but I’m afraid there’s only one pull-out single,” the nurse explained, showing them the foldaway bed.

“We’ll sort something out,” Samson said pleasantly.

The nurse left them, and Sophie took a turn with Alana and her mask so Samson could go to the loo. He returned with coffees.

“I’m glad we’re both staying,” Sophie said, accepting a cup. “It would be scary to be here all night alone with Alana sounding so awful.”

“It would.”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t realise how ill Alana was,” Sophie began, tears pricking at her eyes. “I can’t believe I went off to London with her in this state.”

“Don’t be silly.” Samson said immediately, bending down and putting his arm around Sophie and Alana. “She didn’t sound anything like this when you left — she had a bit of a cold. There was no way you could have known she’d end up here.”

“Thanks for being so nice.”

“I’m always nice.” He smiled. “I’m fine with Alana for a bit if you want to grab us some food? These drinks are from the kitchen down the hall, but there’s a Starbucks on the ground floor which is open for a while yet I think. The sandwiches there are bound to be better than from the cafeteria or a vending machine.”

“That’s a good plan. I’ll go now. I’ll be as quick as I can. Have we got everything we’ll need for Alana?”

“I reckon so. She’s got spare clothes in the changing bag. The nurses have given me some extra nappies, and they have formula and food.”

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