‘How can I help you?’ the older woman asked in an almost bored tone that immediately set his nerves on edge.
‘My daughter was just brought in by ambulance.’
‘What’s her name?’
‘Poppy,’ he said.
‘Surname?’ she asked, typing slowly.
‘Campbell … I mean, Knight,’ he fumbled.
‘Date of birth?’
Fuck.When was her date of birth? Ewan frantically searched his memory for the elusive date. He knew her birthday was in July. ‘The twelfth of July,’ he said, feeling as though this wasa game show from hell and wishing he could call a friend or pass the question.
‘Would you like to have another guess?’ the woman asked without any kind of expression.
Ewan swore silently. ‘The fifteenth?’
‘Nope. Sir, there isn’t anyone listed on her medical record as her father, so I can’t let you in anyway.’
‘Her mother came in with her. She’ll tell you it’s okay,’ he said tightly.
‘I have a number of other patients waiting in line. Take a seat and if I get a chance, I’ll try to track down the child’s mother to see if she wants you in there.’
To see if she wants me in there?He understood that hospitals had strict protocols in place to protect against domestic violence incidents, but he wasn’t some deadbeat dad. Suddenly, it hit him—he didn’t have any rights where his daughter was concerned. And shewashis daughter—there was no doubt in his mind. He was Poppy’s father, and he was going to make sure he was part of her life.
A door opened further along the hallway and a dark-haired nurse poked her head out, calling his name. ‘I’m Ewan Campbell,’ he said, suddenly fearing the worst.
‘Poppy’s mum just asked me to come out and see if you were in the waiting room.’
‘They wouldn’t let me in,’ he said as she stepped aside, closing the door behind them before setting off at a fast pace that, despite his long legs, Ewan found difficult to match.
‘Here we are,’ she said cheerfully, holding open a curtain that surrounded a bed holding his sleeping daughter, who looked tiny. Kenzie was at the bedside, looking fraught.
‘How is she?’ he asked Kenzie.
‘She’s got a broken arm that they’re going to put a cast on soon, but there’s no other damage. They want to keep her in overnight for observation because she lost consciousness at the scene, but it’s just a precaution.’
‘Thank God,’ he said, letting out a sigh of relief.
‘What took you so long?’
‘I wasn’t listed on Poppy’s records as her father,’ he explained. ‘They wouldn’t let me in.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t even think about that,’ she said with a small wince.
‘It’s all good. Everything worked out.’
‘You don’t have to stay if you’ve got things to do. This is going to take a while, and she’s going to be here overnight.’
‘I’d like to stay, if you don’t mind?’
‘Of course I don’t mind. It’s just going to be pretty uncomfortable and boring.’
‘That’s okay. If I wasn’t here, I’d only be worrying about her … and you. Are you doing okay?’ he asked, taking in her red-rimmed eyes and tired expression.
‘Yeah,’ she said, smiling weakly. ‘I am now. You were great today. I’m glad you were there.’
