Athena flew home this morning. She and I had a quick chat last night when I got back from the hospital. She understands that, rather than using her as a childminder while I try to get Marlowe to sneak around with me, I’m intent on putting in the hours with Tabs this week. I’d go so far as to say she approves. So she’s got out of my hair and gone back to my brother.

When I get to the hospital, my girls seem in good shape. Marlowe is in yoga pants and a simple white vest and looks good enough to eat. While she still seems tired, she’s lost that awful, pinched look of exhaustion. Tabby has her hair in two very tidy French plaits with little green bows at the bottom of them, and I find myself wishing I’d been a fly on the wall for that quiet mother-daughter moment. I wonder if Marls has any idea how beautiful each and every act of service she performs for Tabs is. I bet she does the vast majority of them privately, with no recognition, no validation at all, which is pretty alien in my book.

‘How’d you both sleep?’ I ask her.

‘Like a dream. You know, they still come in every hour to check on Tabs’ vitals, which is disruptive for her, but the private room and the amazing bed made all the difference in the world.’

‘I had pancakes,’ Tabs pipes up cheerfully, and I turn the full wattage of my smile on her.

‘Pancakes? Is that what you ordered from the chef? Did you leave any for me?’

‘Nope, all gone,’ she tells me in delight, patting her stomach.

‘Right, well I’m glad you got some fuel into you, because we have some hard labour to accomplish this morning.’ I set the box carefully on her overbed table so she can get a good look at it. Poring over the photos of the tiny details is always one of the most fun parts of a new LEGO set.

I turn to Marlowe. ‘And you, missy, have a date with my hotel’s rooftop pool.’

She gapes at me. ‘I can’t. I need to stay here.’

‘No offence, but there’s no way you’re better at LEGO than me. I’ve worked in construction my whole life. And we have a fleet of medical experts just a button away, all of which makes you officially redundant. Go on, go. You need some vitamin D badly. You’re still white as a sheet.’

‘Tabs isn’t ready to be left with a stranger, are you, Tabs?’

‘I want to make it with Brendan,’ Tabby replies, and I swallow a smile. Kids are such disloyal little shits. So easily bought.

‘But I don’t have a swimming costume with me,’ Marlowe protests.