Jed frowned. ‘Dad would flip out if he knew we’d been bothering her about that of all things.’

‘I know,’ I said. ‘But I’m not sure what else we can do.’

‘Like you said, one step at a time. We can’t ask her anything right now.’

We all went quiet, remembering that not only could we not ask her anything now, maybe we’d never be able to.

We had a Christmas miracle while we were sitting by Nana Joy’s bedside.

Or it felt that way even if the doctor didn’t think it was much of a surprise. To see Nana Joy’s eyelids fluttering and eventually opening and her clear, albeit bloodshot eyes fix on mine felt about as incredible as the angel Gabriel showing up with a trumpet.

She remained awake for only nine minutes, which the doctor said was to be expected, and managed a few coherent sentences, which was very encouraging, even if she did sing most of them. Given the state of our parents when they’d set off for home we decided not to disturb them with the news until they’d had a chance to get some sleep.

‘This family is becoming full of secrets,’ I mused, once I’d fetched Jed and me a celebratory coffee and cake from the café.

‘Secrets?’ a painfully dry voice asked.

‘Nana Joy, how are you feeling?’ I asked softly, cradling her fingers.

‘Awful. Did someone hit me over the head?’

‘No, Nana, you fell and hit it yourself on the kitchen worktop.’

‘That explains it, then.’ After accepting a sip of water, she closed her eyes and appeared to sink once again into oblivion, until piping up a few seconds later. ‘You aren’t going to sit there watching me sleep, are you?’

‘We’re reading,’ Jed replied.

‘You don’t have to stay.’

‘No, but we’d like to,’ I said. ‘I’ve missed far too much time with you over the past year.’

‘It’s all right,’ she said, slurring slightly from the effort, her eyes still closed. ‘You’ve been working hard.’

‘Harder than I should have done. You’re far more important than a job.’

‘It’s a good place to hide, though. Work. From irritating thoughts or interfering journalists. Keep busy enough and they might give you some peace.’ She feebly patted my hand. ‘I’m glad you’re here, but don’t hang about on my account. Not now. Not ever. You should be spending time on what you love the most.’

‘I love you.’

Her wrinkles deepened in the semblance of a smile. ‘I love you, too. But don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.’