‘I’m thinking about the way society is structured and how it means the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I’m thinking about the deaths that have happened and how they could have been prevented. I’m thinking about deaths in the future and how they can be stopped. I’m thinking about climate change, why it occurred and what could be done now to make the planet healthier. I’m thinking about food and how to grow it more efficiently and get it to the people who need it. I’m thinking about humanity expanding into the solar system and beyond, so that human civilisation can go on forever.’

There was silence.

‘Among other things,’ he added.

I couldn’t help it. I laughed out loud and then had to stifle it. Waking people up was no way to show gratitude.

‘And here was me thinking you were thinking about important things,’ I said. ‘You slacker.’

I squeezed his hand.

‘All the problems,’ I added. ‘But have you got the solutions?’

‘I think so, yes. To some of them. I’m working on the others.’

‘Mum said you wouldn’t bother about the problems of humanity if you became a kind of super-being. She said to you our concerns would be trivial.’

‘Luckily Mum doesn’t know everything. And she seriously under-estimated the bond between brother and sister. If saving you means saving the entire human race, then, hey. I’ll give it a go.’

The floorboards beneath me no longer seemed so hard and unforgiving. I could almost feel myself sink into them. Aiden’s words were soft and woolly and they were carrying me to sleep.

‘You’re not a superhero yet, Aiden,’ I mumbled. ‘Try being a little humble.’

But I’m not sure if I said those words or only thought them. I slept for eight hours straight and I didn’t dream.

I said goodbye to Nonna and Xena at Headquarters the next morning. Aiden was going to walk me back to the car, with Ziggy and a couple of the others following for protection. Nonna gave me a big hug. Xena slapped me across the face, but this time it was playful. I think it was meant to be playful. To be honest, it hurt a bit. I was sad to go, but I mumbled my goodbyes and took off, Aiden at my side and Zorro trotting at our heels. This wasn’t the time to get tearful.

But it was rapidly approaching.

I had so much I wanted to say to my brother, but I was afraid that if I started I would realise that there wasn’t the time for it and that would send me into despair. So I plodded along, head down, and tried not to think.

‘You seemed to sleep well,’ said Aiden.

‘I did. You?’