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‘He did.’ Kane reached for her hand. ‘We both saw her strong little heartbeat, didn’t we? As well as resting up, you need to stop worrying. Dru and Connor are looking after James until I collect him.’

‘Will we tell him he’s having a little sister?’

‘If we decide to, we’ll wait until you’re home.’

‘Dr Mitcham said I can go home as soon as the canula comes out. At least the bleeding’s stopped.’ Ellie would never forget the feeling when she had started to bleed yesterday morning.

‘And bed rest for a couple of days.’

‘Don’t you worry, I’ll be doing exactly as he said. Four months of taking it easy, no exercise.’ She pulled a face at Kane. ‘No sex.’

He grinned at her and a surge of love for her husband warmed her heart. ‘That’s okay. I’ll be so busy doing the housework and looking after James, I’ll be too tired anyway.’

‘The doctor said the placenta can still move away from the cervix, so I might not have to have a Caesarean.’

Kane leaned over and brushed his lips across hers. ‘We’ll take one day at a time. Dru said she’ll come and stay with you through the day, and I can take care of everything else. I’ll work shorter days until the harvest. I’m sure when your mum gets home, she’d be happy to come and stay for the last three months of your pregnancy.’

‘What a day it’s been. Dee in here with pre-eclampsia too!’

‘But she’s in good hands and in the right place. Ryan said she won’t be going home before the babies are born. They’re trying to see if they can get her blood pressure down and try to hold the birth off for at least another three weeks.’

‘I should have told Mum. I know she knew there was something wrong because I was babbling so much.’

‘Els?’

‘What?’

‘Do you know how much like your mother you are? You’re turning into a worrier. All worrying will do is make you sick.’

She nodded. ‘I’m sorry. Okay. Let’s take one day at a time and trust everything will be right.’ She chuckled. ‘At least I’ve stopped worrying about Mum on her trek. She sounded really good when she rang.’

Kane stepped aside as the nurse came into the room. ‘You’re right to go home, Mrs McLaren. I’ll just take that canula out for you.’

‘My sister-in-law is in here too. Would it be okay if I called in to see her before we leave?’

‘What’s her name?’

‘Dee Porter-Carey.’

‘That should be fine. I’ve just come from her room. She’s along the corridor and to the left. Bed Six.’

A few minutes later, the wardsman had brought a wheelchair and Kane was pushing Ellie towards Dee’s room. As they approached the elevator, the door opened and Emma and Jeremy stepped into the corridor.

‘Ellie! What’s happened? Are you okay?’ Emma grabbed her hand.

‘I’m fine. A bit of a scare, but we’re on the way home. Placenta praevia.’

Emma put a hand to her chest. ‘Oh no. You know you’ll have to take it really easy, and you might have to have a Caesarean.’

Ellie pulled a face. ‘Yes, Doctor Langford. It’s handy having doctors for a sister and brother-in-law.’

‘You feeling okay now, Ellie?’ Jeremy asked. ‘I assume you’re heading home?’

‘I am now. It gave me a shock, but I’m fine now that I know what it is.’ She turned to Emma. ‘I tried to call you, Em, but your phone went to voicemail. I didn’t leave a message. I didn’t want to worry you. Ryan obviously got through to you.’

Emma frowned and looked at her.

‘He didn’t?’