His smile comes from his eyes. ‘I’m glad you’ve managed to release your inner muse. I’ve never seen you so… well, you’re glowing. No more wrinkled brow and pinched nose. You’ve learnt to relax and not to worry all the time. I like that.’

Muse. I wish he hadn’t said that word. Nico hasn’t mentioned it again, but it hasn’t gone away. The request continues to hang in the air between us like a half-finished sentence. Sometimes I catch Nico looking at me and I know he’s thinking of the unfinished painting languishing in the corner.

‘Have you decided where you’re going when your time in Mexico draws to a close in January?’

Aiden swivels in his seat to see what’s going on behind him and waves to a small group of people gathering near the doorway to the recreation room. He spins back around, giving me a sober look.

‘Our permits only give us a couple of days’ leeway before we have to leave the country. It means making a decision really soon so we can get it all sorted, but the Mexico trip has been costly – the internship alone cost five grand. I’m thinking Thailand, but I have to look at the finances. This volunteering lark isn’t cheap and with flights, visas and the cost of a few excursions, it mounts up.’

He’s still saying we all the time. I know he hates anything to do with paperwork, but can’t Joss go off and do her own thing? It’s not rocket science, and I’m sure Aiden could figure it out. It makes me feel so sad and… a bit forgotten. Aiden and I used to be the only we in his life and now another woman has taken my place. I try not to dwell on this subject, because it will serve to make me even more paranoid and needy.

Lots of people go backpacking on their own and team up with people they meet along the way. It’s safer and that should be my main concern, I keep telling myself. Safety in numbers.

‘Well, don’t let the cost deter you, darling. The money we set aside is a shared pot and I certainly won’t be spending anything like fifty per cent of it. Even if I come back with a trailer load of rolled-up canvases. I want you to return to the UK feeling you packed in as much as you could.’

The background noise is growing.

‘Okay. Thanks, babe. It sounds like our transport has arrived. A group of us are going to help out in one of the animal shelters today. Have you spoken to the family this week?’