Page 79 of The Forever Gift

I’m about to intervene when he continues talking. ‘I’m on call tonight. I’m going in to check on her, but this kind of thing happens all the time, Heather.’

‘It does?’ Heather asks.

‘Yes. Unfortunately it does. C’mon, I’ll give you a lift.’

Realisation sweeps over me like a gentle breeze. Gavin never told me our new neighbour was a doctor. And he certainly never mentioned that Jack is Kayla’s doctor. But I guess that’s just another thing to add to a long list of stuff Gavin hasn’t had a chance to discuss with me since Kayla got sick and Heather moved in.

Heather looks completely lost. ‘Um, Charlotte, this is Kayla’s doctor.’

‘Ah,’ I say. ‘Heather, take care, okay? Ring me if you need something.’

‘Thanks, Charlotte,’ she says, turning to leave.

I watch as Heather and Jack walk away and I close the door. Another thunder clap erupts and upstairs I hear Molly.

‘Maaammmyyy… Maaammmyyy…’

‘I’m coming, Molly. I’m coming,’ I call, as I make my way up the stairs.

Loud thunder erupts and the whole staircase illuminates as lightning streaks across the sky and shines through the Velux window. Complete darkness follows as the power to the whole street goes out.

‘Oh, you have got to be kidding me.’

I stretch my arms out in front of me, feeling the air all around as I make my way up the remaining steps. I stub my toes on the final one, and by the time I reach Molly’s room she’s stopped crying but I’m ready to start.

THIRTY-FOUR

CHARLOTTE

I really don’t want to light the cinnamon-and-spice candle that I’ve been saving since last Christmas, but the torch on my phone is draining the battery super fast and Molly and I will be in complete darkness soon.

‘I won’t be a minute,’ I say, peeling myself away from Molly as the two of us lie, arms around each other in her bed.

‘I don’t like the dark,’ Molly says as I stand up.

‘I know. I know. Me neither,’ I say, wondering where I last hid the matches; I always keep them out of Molly’s reach. ‘But I’m going to light some candles and then it won’t be dark anymore.’

‘I want Daddy,’ Molly says.

‘I know sweetheart, so do I. Here, let’s try this,’ I say, pressing the light-up love-heart tummy on Molly’s Glow Bear. It doesn’t have much impact on the dark room, but Molly seems pleased as she gathers the teddy into her arms and cuddles him. ‘I’ll be back in a minute. I just have to find some matches.’

I hurry down stairs before Molly has time to object.

‘Maaammmyyy…’

‘Yes. Yes!’ I shout back, making my way into the kitchen, the light growing weaker on my phone. ‘I’m still here, sweetheart. I’m still here.’

Dammit where are the bloody matches?I think as I rummage in the drawers and swing open cupboards.

‘Mammy, I’m scared,’ Molly cries loudly. ‘Maaammmyyy…’

‘Coming. I’m coming,’ I call, remembering that Heather smokes. There must be a lighter in her room.

I hurry back up the stairs and pop my head around the door of Molly’s room. ‘See, darling. I told you I was here. Isn’t this a fun game?’

‘It’s not fun.’ Molly sulks.

‘Sure it is,’ I lie. ‘Just like hide and seek.’

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