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He laughed, gesturing for us to sit on the plastic chairs at the side of Aisha’s bed as he brought the curtains round. It was something we always did for “privacy” but was rather farcical because the curtains were not soundproof.

“Aisha wanted me to give you the update,” Toby said.

Kerr glanced over to Aisha, making to stand. “I can go wait outside for a bit, keep this between family.”

She waved a hand. “Nah. You can stay.”

Kerr looked a little uncertain, but nodded, settling back in his chair.

“Aisha has an iron deficiency anemia, which looks to have been chronic but then reached a bit of a critical point. We’re going to need to give her an iron transfusion.”

“What do they think caused the anemia?” I asked anxiously.

Aisha touched my hand. “It’s not back, Baji. Don’t fret.”

Toby nodded in reassurance. “This has nothing to do with her history of childhood leukemia. The rest of the full blood count is fine, with all the hallmarks of iron deficiency, including her iron studies.”

I frowned in concentration as I processed this information. In a young woman such as Aisha iron deficiency anemia wasn’t normally sinister. Unlike in older people where it could signify something nasty in the gastrointestinal tract.

“And she had no gastrointestinal symptoms or red flags,” Toby continued, as if reading my mind. “But she does have the diagnosis that is the biggest cause of the condition in women of childbearing age.”

I nodded in understanding. Menorrhagia, which meant—

“Really bloody heavy periods,” Aisha said with a sigh. “Excuse the pun.” She puffed out her cheeks and blew out a breath. “I mean, it’s like a horror film down there every month.”

I couldn’t suppress my peal of laughter. Seb scratched his head awkwardly, and I noticed that Kerr had a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he covered it with his fist.

“Sorry, chaps,” Aisha said, eyeing them both. “But you need to know the realities of life for women, I’m afraid.” She held up her hand and I high-​fived it.

“Absolutely,” Toby said, a twinkle in his eye. “But once we’ve had the transfusion and a recheck of her full blood count to confirm all is well, we can get you off home again. Now, any questions before I leave you to your visitation?”

We thanked Toby and he excused himself, bringing the curtains back round again. I slumped in my seat with relief as the final remnants of adrenaline seeped out of my system. Thank goodness.

“So, sounds like you two are bestest buds now?” Aisha said, eyeing Kerr and me with a mischievous look in her eye.

“Oh, hush, Munni,” I said, glancing over at Kerr and hoping this wasn’t all too much for him. Most blokes couldn’t handle even one of the Ansari sisters, never mind both together. Except Seb, of course, who adored my sister and fawned over her constantly. Which was fine by me. And since getting closer to Kerr, I was finding that I too wouldn’t mind a bit of fawning. Someone looking after me not just physically, but emotionally. Just like Kerr has been doing these past few days.

Kerr chuckled, seemingly taking Aisha’s teasing in his stride. “We have found some common ground of late, I would say.” He looked at me for confirmation.

“Yeah. He’s been brilliant,” I said, sending him a grateful look. “Gone from my worst to my best neighbor within a mere few days.”

He smiled. “Don’t let Morag, Archie, and Lady Featherington hear you say that.”

I guffawed at that. The dog’s name had always tickled me. I caught Kerr giving me a soft smile. “Although,” I said, shooting him a pointed look, “that doesn’t mean that our lights rivalry has ended.”

“Absolutely not,” he told me, meeting my eyes with an intensity that felt almost sensual. My cheeks heated as I looked away. All under the watchful eye of my nosy little sister, I might add.

We chatted some more, until it was well over visiting time and I felt guilty that we were taking advantage of Toby’s good nature in breaking ward rules. And also that I’d kept Kerr away from whatever he’d been planning on doing this afternoon.

“Right, we’d best head back,” I told him before standing and turning to my sister to give her a hug where she lay in bed. “By the way, were Mum and Dad okay when you told them? Are they coming up later?”

She bit her lip sheepishly and I knew what was coming next. “I haven’t actually told them yet. Thought it was best to see what was happening first so that they didn’t have a meltdown. You know what they’re like.”

Yep. I sure did.

“And I was wondering,” she said, drawing out the last word while winding a dark curl around her index finger, “if it might be best coming from you.”

I sighed affectionately.