The Italian Doctor's Perfect Family. Alison Roberts

not morphine?’ It was the standard analgesic to use in situations such as this.

      ‘There’s some evidence it can cause sphincter of Oddi spasm.’

      Graham nodded. He eyed Alice thoughtfully and Pip could tell he was trying to assess how much she weighed in order to calculate a dose of the narcotic. Toni picked up the hesitation as quickly as Pip did but showed none of the impatience some consultants might have displayed. Instead, he smiled at his young patient.

      ‘Do you know how much you weigh, Alice?’

      ‘No.’

      ‘I’m sure Mum knows.’

      There was a tiny pause as Shona blinked at being the focus of attention. ‘Ah…’ She flicked a puzzled gaze at her daughter. ‘Actually, Pip’s—’

      ‘She’s about thirty-two kilos,’ Pip interrupted quickly. This was hardly the time or place to correct Toni’s assumption about her relationship with Alice, was it?