Sam stiffened next to me. I’d been about to agree with Drew that Sam did, indeed, look like Chris Hemsworth, but something about his set jaw and stiff posture told me not to go there. I looked at Drew instead. ‘You think that’s what put him off?’

Drew nodded. ‘He had a go at my passion for comic books in the message I read to you, didn’t he? Why mention that three years down the line if it hadn’t bothered him? It’s either the dressing up thing that pushed him away or our eight months together was so insignificant to him that he’s just come up with any old crap as an excuse for ending it.’

‘Put that thought out of your head right now, Andrew Baxter,’ I said. ‘Nobody could spend eight hours with you and not be left with a lasting positive impression, never mind eight months.’

‘Thanks, Jem. What would I do without you looking after me?’ He rolled his shoulders a couple of times. ‘I’m whacked. Can’t deal with this emotional bullshit. I’m going to bed to watch Avenger’s Assemble for the millionth time and bollocks to Luukas. Laust is welcome to him, the stupid uncommunicative twat. If he didn’t want to do the Thor thing, all he needed to do was say so.’ He stood up and stretched. ‘You’re not going to tell me where that vodka is, are you?’

‘No, and you’re not going via the kitchen to get something else instead.’

He nodded. ‘Probably a good idea. Nice to meet you Dr Sam Jones Flash Gordon Thor.’

Sam stiffened again. ‘And you. Night.’

‘Night, Jem.

I stood up and Drew hugged me. ‘Thank you,’ he whispered.

‘Any time.’ We pulled apart. ‘Do you think you’ll be able to move on now that you’ve got a reason, albeit a crap one?’

‘Maybe.’

‘There’s one thing I think you should do before you put the film on.’

‘Drink a pint of water?’

I smiled. ‘Yes, but I was going to say unfriend him and unfollow him. Sever all your connections with him. As several wise people have repeatedly told me over the past few months, you don’t need someone like that in your life.’

Drew hugged me once more. ‘We’ll get there together, Jem. Fresh start. Both of us.’

He went via the kitchen area for a pint of water then disappeared into the bedroom corridor.

‘Are you okay? I asked Sam. ‘You look like you’re miles away.’

‘Sorry. I was.’

‘Asgard by any chance?’

Sam quickly stood up. ‘I don’t think you’re going to have any trouble with Drew trying to leave the flat. He seems pretty calm. I think I’ll head off.’ He marched towards the door and lifted his coat off the hooks.