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Station. I suggest you meet us there.”
    * * *
    Tom paced up and down the corridor outside the operating theaters and waited for news of his wife. She’d been rushed to surgery upon their arrival and he had yet to talk to whoever it was who now held her life in their hands. It had been more than four hours since she’d been whisked away and still there was no news. The waiting and not knowing was killing him. He’d never felt more helpless. He spun on his heel and began another lap of the corridor.
    “Can I get you a coffee, Tom? Or a Coke?”
    Tom looked across at his brother Clayton and shook his head. Brandon sat up from where he was slouched across the hard plastic seats.
    “I’ll have a coffee, if you’re doing a run,” Brandon said.
    Clayton acknowledged Brandon with a nod. “Anyone else?”
    Tom looked around at the members of his family, who had gathered at the hospital en masse. Clayton’s wife, Ellie, also sat in the row of seats. His brother Declan had called from Canberra and Clayton’s twin, Riley, had called from work. He was the local area commander up in the country, six or seven hours’ drive away.
    Tom’s parents had also telephoned and expressed their concern. They’d given him their love and had asked him to pass it on to Lily. He was a little overwhelmed by the love and support of the Munro clan, but he was glad for it. He had no idea how Lily was faring and he was barely holding onto his panic. He needed all the support he could get.
    “Where are Cassie and Joe?” he asked in an effort to distract himself.
    “I called Alex and told her what was going on. She offered to go to their school and has taken them home,” Brandon replied. “She’ll stay with them until we know what’s going on.”
    Tom gave a brief nod of acknowledgement. “What did she tell them?”
    “Not much, just that there had been an accident and their mom had been taken to hospital. She thought that was for the best. No sense in worrying them unnecessarily. Besides, we don’t know much ourselves. There’s nothing any of us can do at the moment but wait.”
    “And pray,” Clayton murmured.
    Tom grimaced and once again, forced his panic down. Lily would be fine. She was in surgery right as they spoke. They were going to fix her, stop the bleeding and make her better. She was going to be fine.
    He looked around at Clayton and Ellie and Brandon. Knowing Brandon’s wife, Alex was with Tom’s kids, a sudden thought occurred to him. He turned to his family.
    “What about all your kids? Where are they?”
    “Sam’s going to a friend’s house straight after school and Bella and Justin are in day care,” Brandon offered. “It doesn’t close until six.”
    “What time is it now?” Tom asked.
    “A quarter to three,” Brandon said.
    “What about Olivia and the boys?” Tom directed his question to Clayton, but it was his wife who replied.
    “The older two are at school and Damon’s at my mother’s,” Ellie said. “She’ll collect Olivia and Mitchell from school in an hour or so. Don’t worry, they’ll be fine. We’re here for as long as you need us,” she reassured him.
    Tom breathed out a sigh of relief, grateful once again for the show of support. His family meant everything to him. Next to his wife and kids, they were the most important people in the world. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. It was comforting to know the feeling was reciprocated.
    “Mom called again while you were in the bathroom, Tom. She and Dad are taking the next flight out of Grafton. They should be here late this evening,” Brandon said.
    “They don’t have to—”
    “They know they don’t have to, Tom. They want to. Besides, you’ll need someone to help out with Cassie and Joe. They might be teenagers, but they still need someone at home, especially at a time like this. I figure you’re going to be here with Lily for the next few days, at least.”
    Tom sighed again and nodded. “You’re right. Thanks.