Virgo ran gratefully into his arms and allowed herself to be enveloped in a mighty bear hug that the other Gods soon joined.

‘Take care, little one,’ cried Aphrodite, smothering her cheeks with kisses.

‘Look after yourself, darling,’ said Athene, taking several deep calming breaths.

‘Babe,’ whispered Hermes. ‘You know where we are if you need us. Don’t be a stranger.’

‘I won’t,’ said Virgo. Elliot found he couldn’t watch any more. It must just have been really boring or something.

He heard Virgo approach his dad.

‘Mr Hooper, it has been a pleasure to know you, even briefly,’ she said. ‘I infinitely prefer you now you are no longer a Daemon masquerading as you. And I shall think of Josie-Mum often.’

‘You’re a wonderful girl,’ said Dave, giving her a huge hug. ‘And you are welcome back here any time.’

‘Ah – that won’t be possible,’ said Libra. ‘Virgo is banned from travelling to Earth. At least until she has served her probation. And only then if we say so. Which we probably won’t – we haven’t had time to create a flow chart about it.’

‘We can wait,’ Dave winked.

‘I don’t think so,’ chortled Leo. ‘Her probation is up for review in two hundred and fifty years. You’ll be dead.’

‘Good to know,’ said Dave, stepping away and leaving Virgo and Elliot alone.

‘Elliot?’

Even when she said his name, Elliot found himself unable to turn around and face her. What if she cried or made a fuss? That would be so gross.

‘Yeah?’ he said casually, wiping away the tears that he hoped no one else had seen.

‘I have something for you,’ Virgo said.

Elliot couldn’t put it off any longer. He had to face her. Slowly he turned around. She was crying too.

‘Here,’ she said, handing him a package wrapped in toilet paper. She still had a lot to learn about mortal life. Not that he’d be teaching it to her.

He took the parcel and unwrapped it. It was a black Grecian urn, like the ones that he had seen in pictures. But when he looked closely, he saw that the scenes around the edge didn’t depict the exploits of the great heroes – they showed Elliot and Virgo on their adventures. All of them – the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Natural History Museum, Cyclops Island and the Earth’s core. It was a brilliant present.

‘Thanks,’ he said, not caring who saw him cry now.

‘You’re welcome,’ she sniffed, holding out her hand. ‘And I’m sure your parting gift is very meaningful too.’

Elliot winced. He was supposed to get her a present? Who knew . . . ?

‘Yeah, I’ll . . . er . . . post it,’ he mumbled.

They stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do.