I like that idea. I like it a lot. And I can see that if I were a sick eight-year-old in a strange hospital in a strange country with a hole in my chest, I’d rather be with my godmother than some random guy. ‘You’re on.’

‘But you’ve both got the summit tomorrow,’ my brother points out, and I blink. The fucking summit. It feels like it’s happening in an alternate universe. The idea of turning up like some smug fuck and boring everyone senseless with my wanky speech while Marlowe sits, pale-faced and exhausted and alone, in some hospital room, is unthinkable.

‘Not happening. I’ll call Pl—Elaine and get her to sort the jet out. They’ll have to find someone else to take my slot.’ I glance at Athena. Her turn.

‘You’ll have to man the stall, darling,’ she tells my brother, wrapping her arms around his neck. He slides his hands around her waist and gazes at her like she’s the living embodiment of Our Lady, who was definitely his favourite woman before Athena came along.

It’s the way Marlowe deserves to have me look at her. It’s the way I should have looked at her this entire time, except that I’ve been a big, hairy coward.

‘Not a problem,’ he says like the serene fucker that he is, and kisses her softly on the lips. ‘You guys should go and be with Marlowe.’

‘Let me call Elaine. We should go tonight.’ I’m fully mobilised now, all my impulses coursing through my veins like crack. I’ve made my decision and I’m ready to take action without delay.

But Athena, ever the pragmatist, shakes her head. ‘You won’t get clearance to fly this evening. Anyway, Tabs is still in ICU so we couldn’t visit even if we wanted to. Apparently they’re hoping to move her in the morning. We should go first thing tomorrow.’

I hate that she’s right. ‘Fine.’ I turn away to call Elaine. She doesn’t sound thrilled to hear from me, and there’s a kid making noise in the background. Usually I wouldn’t think twice about interrupting her evening with her family, but Marlowe’s bombshell has me rattled.

‘Hey. Sorry to bother you, but it’s an emergency. I need you to get the jet ready to take me to the US tomorrow so I can go see Marlowe.’

There’s a silence that I take for confusion.

‘She’s over there with her daughter,’ I explain. ‘Tabby. She had an⁠—’

She interjects. ‘Yes, I know.’ Jesus fuck, was everyone in on this except for me? ‘But I’m not convinced she’ll want to see you.’

My face heats. I feel like a naughty little boy who’s been found out.

‘What do you mean?’ I bluster.