It may be harrowing to see her like this, to bear witness to such a raw and painful outpouring, but I know better than to try to distract or deflect. She needs this, and frankly it’s better than seeing the brittle, exhausted version of her we encountered at the hospital.

Besides, I’m only human. Having Marlowe naked in my arms, leaning on me, both figuratively and literally, is indecently pleasurable. So pleasurable, I’m having stern words with my dick, because now is not the time to sexually harass this woman who’s sought refuge in my arms.

Instead, I hold her, and I sway with her, and I comfort her. I stroke her hair, and I tell her how proud I am, how amazing she is. I observe as the animalistic wailing turns to sobbing and then shuddering. Eventually, she’s still, aside from the occasional hiccup. I keep a tight hold on her. I don’t want her having some sort of vulnerability hangover after this.

‘Will you let me wash you?’ I ask, and she nods against my chest. So I do. I pump shower gel into my hands and I lather up her beautiful body, sliding my hands over her and doing my damnedest to make my touch soothing rather than creepy.

‘You’re hard,’ she says.

‘Sorry. Ignore it. Hard not to be with you around.’ I bend, and she raises one leg and then the other for me to wash.

‘You should wash your bits yourself,’ I tell her in a voice more strangled than I’d like.

She hums her agreement and turns away from me so she can tend to the space between her legs.

‘Can I wash your hair?’ I ask.

She turns back to me. ‘I’d love that.’ Her eyes are reddened and puffy, but her expression is dreamy, as if I’ve just promised her a full spa day and not a perfunctory act of hygiene. This is the woman who gives of herself all day long. She serves me all day like I’m some vile little emperor, and then she goes home and cares for her sick, fragile little girl. I decide that this is going to be the best damn hair wash she’s ever had.

‘Good. Hands on my shoulders.’

With my hands full of shampoo, I slide them over her scalp and get to work. She lets her eyes drift shut and I take her in like never before. I really see her. I see the stresses and the sacrifices; I see the vulnerability and the bravery. I marvel at her, at the hidden depths I didn’t even know to plumb. And as I do, I use my thumbs and fingertips to rub at her temples and massage her scalp.

She lets out a little moan. ‘Oh my God. So good.’