He tried to ignore all the adults in the room exchanging the kind of glances that adults exchange when they’re being epically annoying.

‘All right, mate,’ said Hermes, patting him on the back. ‘Whatever you say.’

‘They’re here,’ said Athene, pulling back the curtains.

‘I’m ready,’ said Virgo, reappearing at the bottom of the stairs. Elliot stifled a gasp. She was dressed in the purple robes of the Zodiac Council, with her long silver hair flowing around her shoulders. She looked exactly as she did the day they met. Minus the cow poo.

They all stood awkwardly in the kitchen. Elliot’s eyes locked with Virgo’s once more. He hoped she wasn’t going to get all sappy on him. That would be the worst.

‘Right, then,’ said Zeus quietly. ‘Let’s get this show on the road.’

Elliot followed the quiet procession out of the door and into the paddock, where the other Zodiac Councillors were standing in a semicircle.

‘Virgo,’ Pisces announced solemnly. ‘We are here to officially welcome you back to your place on the Council and escort you to Elysium. Are you ready to return to your duties?’

There was a long pause. Elliot looked at the back of Virgo’s silver head. Was she having second thoughts? Didn’t she want to go? She wasn’t thinking of staying, was she? OK, so maybe they could find space for her and maybe she could stay on at school and maybe they could live together again, but . . .

‘Yes,’ said Virgo finally. ‘I’m ready.’

Elliot found himself needing to swallow very hard. Good. That was good. She was definitely going. Good.

‘Thank the Gods for that,’ huffed the Gemini twins in unison. ‘The dishwasher hasn’t been emptied for months.’

‘My toenails are longer than The Iliad,’ Taurus grumbled. ‘Looking forward to having you back on the team.’

‘We’re going to have a big party to celebrate your return,’ said Aquarius, raising his water jug in salute.

‘Oh – that’s great,’ said Virgo, looking a little brighter.

‘Yes,’ said Aries. ‘We thought you could organize it. If you do a good job, we might even let you serve drinks on the night.’

‘Oh,’ said Virgo quietly. ‘That’s very . . . optimal.’

‘Well, let’s not hang around,’ said Cancer. ‘Those staples aren’t going to order themselves . . . Say your farewells and let’s be on our way.’

‘Of course,’ gulped Virgo. ‘I’ll just be a minute.’

Elliot closed his eyes. He felt really weird.

Virgo approached Zeus and raised her left hand to her right shoulder, bowing slightly.

‘Your Majesty,’ she began. ‘I just want to thank you for your kind protection and guidance. I trust that your future endeavours will be—’

‘Oh, stuff that load of old baloney!’ sniffed Zeus, tears zigzagging down his face. ‘Come here and give your old king a hug!’