She bends and tenderly tucks a matted lock of Tabby’s bedhead behind her ear. ‘Maybe we can play hairstylists? Tabs, how do you feel about Brendan taking your mum out for a couple of hours for a little break? We’re staying in a lovely hotel nearby. I think she deserves a shower and a square meal—how about you? And then you and I can have a proper catch-up and you can tell me all about your operation.’

I’m about to protest, because I don’t want to leave Tabby here in this strange hospital, even with Athena, and I definitely don’t want to be alone with Brendan, whose presence is causing all sorts of unwelcome hormonal upheaval in my body and with whom, I remind myself, I’m very, very cross.

Even if the concept of taking a shower might be the most decadent thing I’ve ever conceived of. Right now, even clean underwear would be decadent.

Tabby, however, interjects before I can speak. ‘Yay! Can we, Mummy? I want to play with Athena.’

‘I’ll stay here,’ I say firmly. Personal hygiene is overrated, I’m sure. Besides, there’s a crappy parents’ shower somewhere that I can brave while Athena watches Tabs.

‘Please come and take a break with me,’ Brendan says, his face beseeching. ‘God knows, you deserve it.’

I can’t have a frank conversation with him here. Not in front of Tabs. I can’t tell him where he can stuff his hot shower and fluffy towels and real food.

‘I don’t want to go anywhere with you,’ I say as quietly and menacingly as I can pull off in a noisy children’s ward. ‘“Good friends” wouldn’t try to ambush their mates, would they?’

‘I get that,’ he pleads, ‘but I’m not trying to ambush you, honest. I have—there’s a lot to say, I know that, but this is about you. If you want me to give you my keycard and wait for you in the lobby, I will. Just do yourself a favour and take a break, please.’

I consider. He doesn’t seem to have an ulterior motive, but it’s hard to tell with Brendan. He’s fully capable of manipulating people for his own ends even without realising he’s doing it.

And there’s the shower factor. I bet the parents’ one is grim AF.

‘Fine.’

He grins. Smug bastard. ‘I’ll get you back here by dinnertime.’

‘Bring sushi, please,’ Athena tells him. ‘I’m not eating a single thing in here.’

I sigh, feeling outnumbered and vulnerable and even shy. ‘If you’re sure?’ I ask Athena and Tabs.

‘Positively,’ Athena says.

Tabs grins. ‘Go, Mummy.’