Virgo’s feet shuffled on the door mat.

‘So, anyway . . . I was thinking . . .’ she began.

Elliot tried not to smile at what he guessed was coming next.

‘Maybe it would be better if I . . . in a manner of speaking . . . sort of . . . stayed here. Perhaps. With you.’

Elliot looked over at his father, who was grinning at the two of them. Dave nodded and winked.

‘What about being an immortal?’ said Elliot. ‘People round here will think it’s a bit weird that you’ll stay twelve years old for ever.’

‘I have considered this,’ said Virgo eagerly. ‘My time here on Earth has caused me to think about immortality. I have lived for thousands of years. But I have found the months spent here on Earth have made me feel curiously . . . alive. This is an optimal feeling. I have decided to keep it. I handed my kardia back to Zeus. See.’

She held out a lock of her long brown hair. Elliot stared at it.

‘I don’t get it,’ he said. ‘What am I looking at?’

‘Oh, son,’ laughed his dad. ‘Have I got a lot to teach you about women . . .’

Elliot turned back to Virgo. Was this really happening? Had she really given up immortality to live on Earth? With him?

‘Well . . . I’ll have to think about it,’ said Elliot slowly. ‘I mean, you’re an epic pain in the butt.’

‘That makes two of us,’ said Virgo.

‘You have got to do something about your jokes . . .’

‘My jokes are excellent. Have I told you the one about the humorous waiter who gets all the orders wrong? He lost his job as he was clearly unsuited to customer service . . .’

‘And I don’t want to hear any mention of how long I do or don’t spend in the bathroom.’

‘I—’

Elliot gave Virgo a look that silenced her at once. He wished he could believe that would last.

‘But I suppose – to do you a favour . . .’

‘I think you’ll find I’m doing you the favour . . .’

‘No way! You want this way more than me!’

‘No, I don’t!’

‘Yes, you do!’

‘No, I—’

‘Let me do you both a favour, you pair of mules,’ laughed Dave, taking Virgo’s hand and leading her into the farmhouse. ‘Virgo – would you like to come and live with us?’

Virgo’s face lit up. Elliot tried to stop his from doing the same.

The Constellation cleared her throat.

‘That would be most . . . optimal,’ she said. ‘Thank you, Mr Hooper. Or can I call you . . . Dave-Dad?’

‘Of course!’ laughed Dave, nudging his son towards his friend. ‘Elliot?’

Elliot smiled.

‘Get in here, butthead.’

And, although he would deny it for years afterwards, Elliot Hooper gave Virgo the most enormous hug.