She paused, not wanting whoever it was to see her so broken up, her pink skin bright and irritated. She wiped desperately at her nose with the sleeve of her dressing gown before turning round.

‘Hanna, Midori.’ Her voice was shaky and raw. ‘What are you doing up so late?’

They stood together like two magpies in their black-and-white uniforms. They looked at each other, concern etched on their faces.

‘We’re waiting for Eleanor to finish talking with the rest of the family.’

‘They’re still in there?’

Midori nodded, but it turned into a sigh, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her apron, and without another word she marched over and wrapped her arms tight round Lottie. Her uniform smelled like freshly cut lemons and honey, soothing and clean.

‘We’re so sorry about everything.’ Lottie could hear the cracks in her composure.

Squeezing back, she felt another body against hers – Hanna’s, her big arms warm and pink. She melted, letting herself cry again, softer this time, each fresh sob dampened by gentle fingers stroking her hair.

After a while, Hanna pulled away, keeping one hand against Lottie’s cheek. ‘Let’s go and get you something to eat and drink, hmm? I’m sure you haven’t managed to have dinner with all this.’

Lottie nodded, following the two of them to the kitchen.

Taking a seat on one of the stools, Lottie silently accepted a tissue from Hanna. She listened to the low hum from a fridge, the ticking of the flame coming to life on the stove and soft singing from Midori while she went about stirring a bowl of batter.

‘You guys don’t have to –’ Lottie wanted to tell them not to fuss over her, but her stomach rumbled, giving her away.

‘Don’t worry.’ Midori attempted a smile. ‘We’re going to have some too.’

The room slowly filled with the thick, comforting smell of chocolate, and soon after Lottie was presented with hot chocolate and a chocorrito, a Frankenstein’s monster of a dessert that Ellie had invented. Feeling like a child, Lottie grabbed a chunk of whipped cream and marshmallow, licking it off her finger, and letting the mushy sweetness wash away all the lingering salt round her lips.

‘Thank you.’ Lottie’s voice came out as barely a whisper, her throat still sore from crying so much.

‘We’re sad about Jamie too,’ Hanna said, taking the seat on Lottie’s left with her own chocorrito piled high with ice cream and caramel sauce. ‘Thought we needed something sweet.’ Despite her attempt at a cheery expression, Hanna’s nose wrinkled, the freckles scrunching together, and she sniffed hard as she took a bite, trying to ward off tears.