‘Oh crap.’ The initial relief fled. ‘I need to call an ambulance. But you shouldn’t move should you?’ They were stuck.

‘Nothing’s broken I’m sure. I can try to get up. I’m sure you’ll appreciate that.’ But the minute Nan twisted to try and remove herself from her position pinning Ashleigh down, she let out a hiss of pain, which had Ash’s heart squeezing again.

‘For goodness’ sake, Simon, get in your basket. Now,’ Ashleigh snapped at the dog who was still jumping around at the bottom of the stairs barking.

‘If only he was Lassie eh? He could go fetch help.’

Ashleigh struggled to laugh but it gave her an idea. She shifted her weight forwards slightly so she could bash the heel of her boot against the wall.

‘What on earth are you doing?’

‘Getting help,’ she explained and raised her voice. ‘Olivier! Olivier!’

‘Ah, your partner in crime,’ Nan said but Ash didn’t feel even the tiniest irritation. She was just glad that Nan still sounded herself. It couldn’t be too serious if she was still annoyed about the Christmas lights and up to having a little dig about it. Could it?