Emma had arrived at the hospital the moment the shop girl had phoned her. It had been her day off, which meant she was in civilian clothes and her co-workers had barred her from the room where they were working on Maddy. She took the time to message her other children, who all arrived dutifully, panic-stricken and pale-faced.
If her family could stop ending up in hospital, she would be very grateful.
While Maddy slept, Emma had sat in a corner and read, making the rest of her children wait in the waiting room so they didn't make noise. She had simply left the room to fetch some tea and when she returned, Maddy was awake.
The tea was placed on the meds rack and instantly forgotten. "Madeline!" Emma rushed over to her daughter and she planted a kiss on Maddy's head, gently. "You're awake! What happened?"