February 2525, Londinium

“I’m telling you he took apart the box and then electrocuted himself.”

“You should have been watching him!”

“I was. I just turned my back for a second.”

“He could have died, Bron.”

“Excuse me – Mr and Mrs Madoc?” The couple turned from their arguing to face the doctor.

“Yes?” said Frank Madoc in a surly voice.

“Gerowyn will be fine. The electrocution carried only a low voltage, enough to knock him out, but not kill him.” Bron put her hand on her chest in relief.

“Can we see him?”

“Yes. He’s awake now. But first I have to talk to you about something else.”

“What is it?”

“Will you sit?” The couple obeyed, already dreading the doctor’s next words.

“We did a complete check-up on him. It seems that he has a congenital kidney condition. It’s nothing to worry about. Quite a simple procedure these days, Mr and Mrs Madoc, honestly. We’ll just get a sample from you both and then one of you can donate a kidney, if you’re compatible. If not, then we test the rest of your family.” Bron Madoc went white, knowing all her nightmares had just come true. Frank pressed his wife’s hand in comfort, though there was none he could really offer her.

“Our son is adopted, Doctor,” he said, not understanding why his voice came out sounding so reassured and confident. The young doctor wasn’t worried.

“Okay. Well contact the adoption agency and they should be able to arrange a sample or get in touch with the birth parents. Get them to contact me here. My name is Doctor Lincoln.”

“But-“ started Bron.

“Thank you, doctor. We’ll do that,” interrupted Frank.

“Doctor,” began Bron. “What happens if the birth parents can’t be located? Or are dead,” she added quickly.

“This condition that Gerowyn has likely won’t start giving him trouble until his twenties. But if he doesn’t get a kidney transplant before then, it will shut down without warning and they’ll be nothing we can do.”

“He’ll die?” asked Bron in a whisper.

“No,” assured Doctor Lincoln. “But he’ll have to live his life o