“Being brave isn’t about not being scared,” I ramble, hoping it’ll keep us both distracted. “It’s about knowing when to ask for help when things get scary, okay? I’m parking now – I’m right here.” I throw the car into a space outside Ellis’s and dive out of it. The main door hits the wall with the force I used to push through it and if it breaks that will be something to deal with later.

“Liam!” Jack yells as I burst through the door and he jumps from his stool into my arms. It takes more strength than I thought it would to stop from hitting the floor and holding him until his tears stop.

“It’s okay Jack, I’m here, I’m right here.” I tell him rubbing a hand down his back as he catches his breath again.

“Liam? Is that you?” Ellis’s voice is equal parts stressed, strained and a little shocked.

“Hi Sunshine, I heard you were having a flare with your fibre?” I attempt to joke as I carry Jack into her bedroom on my hip.

She looks incapable of movement, though her eyes widen at the sight of me. They are rimmed red and her already pale skin looks ashen in the dark room. She is looking from Jack to myself with doubt as though she may be hallucinating.

“Jack called you?” she realises. I see the moment her fogged brain catches up to the present.

“Yeah, El. He was scared because he didn’t know how to help you.” I bring Jack over to her bed where her arms are outstretched for her little boy, who looks smaller than I have ever seen him snuggled up against her.

“Baby, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you, come here.” She nuzzles her face into his neck. Her arms don’t tighten around him as hard as she usually does. Instead she kisses the top of his head.

“Have either of you eaten?” I ask the room to which I receive double head shakes. “Okay, so first thing; Jack do you wanna stay here with your mom or come help me make some pancakes?” I ask. I know Ellis might want to hold on to him for a little longer, but she deserves all the rest she can get.

“Pancakes?” His little face pops up from the bed suddenly excited and no longer tearful.

“Right, little dude, I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” I lift him down from the bed, watching him scuttle out of the room before turning back to Ellis.

Before I can open my mouth again, she holds one hand up weakly. “Liam, you don’t have to stay. I know this looks bad, but I swear I am a good mum, everything is just so much worse when I’m pregnant. I swear I’d never leave him hungry. I just can’t get to any painkillers and—”