“I was afraid you weren’t going to turn up,” he said with relief. “Sorry. Work. Traffic. Collecting Zack . . .” She trailed off. She was always rushing, never seemed to be quite organized enough, to be able to get anywhere exactly when she was supposed to, the way other people did. Due to sheer fear, she usually made it on time to work, if only just. He nodded. He wasn’t going to berate her, she saw with relief. She felt like she couldn’t handle another criticism today. She was nervous enough about this as it was. What would he say when he saw how much Zack hated needles? Not to mention whatever was going to happen next. Her life was careening out of control again, and she hated the sensation. She tightened her hold on her son’s hand as Nic held the door to the clinic open for them. “Mum,” Zack complained. “You’re squeezing too hard.” “Sorry.” She loosened her grip and took a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves that had had her jumpy all day. It wasn’t going to help Zack to see her anxious.
