Virgo, like everyone else in the room, was looking at Zeus, who was at the far end of the table. Through the tangle of Goddess arms, Elliot too was staring straight at him. After countless hugs and kisses, the Goddesses eventually moved aside as their father slowly walked the length of the chamber.

Virgo was usually outstanding at assessing situations. But this one she couldn’t read. Was the King of the Gods angry? Was Hermes wrong to bring Elliot here? Her fingers found their way towards Elliot’s and he clasped them gratefully.

Zeus came to a halt in front of Elliot. The two stared at each other, both seemingly at a loss for words.

Eventually, Elliot took a long breath. ‘Zeus,’ he began uncertainly. ‘I’m—’

‘I’m so sorry,’ Zeus blurted out, tears filling the wrinkles around his aged eyes.

‘You’re . . . what?’ Elliot asked.

‘I’m just so, so sorry,’ Zeus continued, wiping the tears from his cheek. ‘I failed you terribly. I should have known. I should have seen what Thanatos was doing to you. I should never have burdened you with the Chaos Stones. Can you ever forgive me?’

Elliot stood dumbstruck.

‘Forgive you?’ said Elliot. ‘All you’ve tried to do is help me. Me and . . . Mum. And I betrayed you. I gave Thanatos the Chaos Stone – I wasn’t planning to . . . Or maybe I was, I don’t know . . . But he said he could give me Mum back and I was so confused and then she . . . I’m . . . just . . . sorry.’

‘Elliot,’ Zeus whispered, putting his hands on the boy’s trembling shoulders. ‘All you did was be a child. You don’t ever have to apologize for that. I have no such excuse. I’ll ask you again. Can you forgive me?’

Elliot stared into the boundless blue eyes of the King of the Gods . . . before collapsing gratefully into his arms.

Virgo found her eyes were watering – and she wasn’t alone. The Great Hall must have been dustier than they had all realized.

After a few still moments, Elliot released himself from the giant hug. He wiped his eyes and straightened his shirt.

‘Now,’ he said with a longer, steadier breath. ‘How do we kick Thanatos’s butt?’

The King of the Gods gave him a grateful squeeze. Virgo recalled what her time on Earth had taught her about forgiveness. It was even more powerful than biscuits.

‘Glad you asked,’ Zeus replied, leading Elliot to the table. ‘We’re just discussing that. Meet the family – Ares, Dionysus, Apollo, Artemis. You know the Zodiac Council . . .’

The Gods and Councillors waved their cautious greetings. Virgo felt a rising indignation.

‘Don’t blame them,’ Elliot whispered, somehow reading her thoughts. ‘I’m the reason they’re in this mess.’

‘The mess was there long before you came along,’ Virgo hissed back. ‘It’s not your fault that you landed in it.’