The clinic clerk found the guarantee before she found the appointment.
Kellan watched her open the contract attachment, search a second screen and frown at the empty field where a confirmed time ought to have been. Theo sat beside him with his own copy on his knees. His coat was unbuttoned, and he had chosen the chair nearest the inner consultation door rather than the exit.
“It says the review is covered,” the clerk said.
“Is there a place?” Theo asked.
“The specialist service accepted the referral.”
“That’s not a time.”
“No,” she said. “Let me reach the booking desk.”
Kellan kept his hands folded while she called. He wanted to take the paper, find someone with authority and make the uncertainty stop by standing in front of them. Theo had already asked the exact question. Giving him room to hear the answer required more restraint than carrying something heavy.
