‘Yes...yes, she’s fine. I tried to call you...’
Guilt edged out the panic. Something was obviously up, and Raina had tried to call him. Alistair took his phone from his pocket, switching it on, and her missed calls and messages displayed on the screen.
‘I’m sorry. I was in a meeting all day and...’ He’d switched his phone off. Just as he’d done the day that Raina had lost their baby. Had he learned nothing?
Raina brushed his apology away. ‘It’s okay. Anya took a tumble and Mum was worried about her, so she took her down to the local hospital to get her checked out. By the time I’d got back from central London, she’d been seen and was ready to go. She’s okay, but I wanted to bring her home tonight, just to keep an eye on her.’
‘What happened?’ Something cold clawed at Alistair’s heart.
‘She has a few bumps and bruises, and a cut on her forehead, which needed a couple of stitches. They made sure she didn’t have a concussion...’ Raina smiled. ‘I did too when I got her home. I think I was still overreacting a bit.’
‘It’s not an overreaction. I’m tempted to check her over myself right now. You said she has stitches?’
‘Yes, just here.’ Raina brushed her forehead. ‘The cut’s right on her hairline, and the doctor who saw her did a very good job. It’s not going to scar.’
And it had all happened while he’d been working. Anya had been hurt and Raina had rushed home. And Alistair had gone on with his day, pretty much as his father had done when his elder brother had broken his arm.
‘May I see her?’ Alistair didn’t feel he had any right to ask.
‘Yes, of course you can.’ Raina stretched up, kissing his lips, but he hardly felt her touch. ‘Don’t look so worried. She’s all right.’
That didn’t make any difference. He wouldn’t have known, whatever had happened. But Raina’s gaze was searching his face now, and she seemed anxious. Alistair reached for her, winding his arm around her waist and pulling her close.
‘Yeah. Sorry, I just...’ He searched for an excuse. ‘She’s had enough of hospitals to last her for the rest of her life.’
‘Yes, I know. When Mum called I panicked a bit. I can’t help it after what happened to Andrew and Theresa. But she’s okay, so I think it’s best we don’t make too much fuss about it. If she wants to talk let her, but let’s not put our own fears into her head.’
‘No. That’s very sensible.’ Alistair leaned down, kissing her. Nothing. He felt nothing but the numbing effects of the guilt that weighed on his chest. And Raina’s kiss was usually enough to make the heart of a statue beat faster.
‘I’m sorry...about tonight.’
‘What?’ Suddenly the reason for Raina’s hesitancy hit him. She was thinking that it was all just sex to him, and that he didn’t want the complications of a child. ‘Don’t be crazy, Raina. I’m just worried about Anya. Would it be okay if I stayed awhile, maybe read her a story or something?’
Raina grinned suddenly. ‘That would be great. Go on through, I’ll be with you in a minute.’
Maybe it was by design, and maybe Raina really did have something to do in the kitchen, but Alistair was glad of the chance to be alone with Anya, to make sure for himself that she was all right. When he entered the sitting room, she was watching a cartoon on TV.
‘Uncle Alistair!’ Anya scrambled down from the sofa, and ran towards him for a hug. Alistair picked her up in his arms.
‘How’s my best girl?’
‘I fell over. And Granny fell over. So we all went to the hospital.’ Anya seemed keen to tell him her big news.
‘Grandad took you?’
She nodded. ‘And Granny had a big bandage on her. And the man put my head back together again.’
Alistair grinned. Anya was obviously milking this as much as she could. ‘Right. Well, that’s good, isn’t it.’
Anya nodded. ‘And he looked at my hand.’
‘You hurt your hand as well?’ Alistair picked up Anya’s hand, inspecting it.
‘No. My magic hand. He said it was fantastic. And that I’m a clever girl.’
‘Well, he was quite right. You are.’ Alistair looked up as Raina entered the room.
‘She was quite the centre of attention. You showed the doctor how you curl your fingers up, didn’t you, Anya.’