He’d tried to drown it out with the TV, but even a Bond movie on ITV2 hadn’t managed to shut it up.

Well, maybe during one of the big action set pieces, but as soon as the plot kicked in the nagging little voice piped up again.

It was a conversation he needed, not a convoluted movie plot. Some reassuring words from someone. It didn’t matter if they meant them, or even if they were true. A few comforting lies would do him the power of good.

They had decided not to tell his parents about the operation until it was safely in the rearview mirror. Or rather, he had decided, and Sinead had tried to change his mind. He hadn’t wanted to worry them, though. Not until he knew for sure what he was dealing with. His mum would’ve been frantic, and he couldn’t do that to her. Not yet. Not until he had to.

Now, lying here, he wished he’d told them. He wished they’d known from the start, so they’d had time to come up with just the right thing to say. Found the perfect comforting words to say, if such words even existed.

But he couldn’t ring them up and inflict it on them now. He’d left it far too late for that.

Who, then? Hamza would be as busy as Sinead. He didn’t want to bother Ben with it.

Hoon?

Was he that desperate?

He rolled a testicle between finger and thumb.

Maybe.

Although, when it came to pep talks, the former Detective Superintendent’s were a touch more confrontational than Tyler was really in the mood for.

Probably not, then.

The ceiling above him was suddenly illuminated by a pale white glow. At first, Tyler didn’t understand what was happening. He briefly entertained the idea that he might be dying, but then realised that the light was from his mobile phone on the bedside table.

He reached for it with his left hand, his right continuing with the full once-over of his testicle. There was a message on-screen, and his heart sang.

Hey! U awake? x

Sinead. It was from Sinead.

He shimmied quickly up the bed on his elbows, and was about to start tapping out a reply when a second message came through.

Long day. Busy night. Fell asleep at my desk!

She’d been so tired. She’d been working so hard.

He deleted the response he’d started, and typed out a new message.

Just going to bed. Knackered and got early start. U get some sleep. I’ll c u tomorrow. x

He sent the message, then watched the little bouncing dots that told him she was writing a reply.

A moment later, it arrived.

U OK? x

He rattled off a response.

I’m great! But tired. U go sleep x

Then, he added a row of Zs for emphasis.