‘Your teeth are chattering,’ she said.

‘So are yours.’ He found the blankets in the hall and handed one to her.

She pulled it around herself and sat down on the sofa. ‘God, I’m so cold. I never freeze.’ Ninni was shaking, and Jack sat down next to her. At first he thought it was the chill, but he suddenly realised she was crying.

Jack didn’t say anything. He put his arm around her and held her close. It seemed the best thing to do. She was a silent crier and it didn’t take long before she stopped. ‘Oh, this isn’t helping at all.’

‘I would have found you a handkerchief, but it would probably be wet already,’ Jack said.

Ninni looked at him and smiled through her tears. ‘Another joke. I’m impressed.’

‘I aim to please,’ he said. ‘And on that note … Wait here while I find the clothes she talked about.’

He came back with a few odds and ends and handed her one of the sweatshirts. ‘Put this on before you get pneumonia. And try one of the overalls. They look like they would fit you.’

Ninni pulled off her clothes, totally ignoring him. Jack got a glimpse of soft curves and white underwear, and forced himself to breathe slowly. Wow, he thought.

To hide his embarrassment, he pulled off his own shirt and changed into one of the sweatshirts. It was bliss.

‘You should try these trousers. I think they will fit you,’ she said, holding the item out to him.

Jack lifted them up and made a little show by measuring them and looking at himself in the mirror on the wall. Ninni laughed, which was exactly what he was hoping for.

‘I would rather have a pair of socks,’ he said.

‘Don’t think they stock anything but bandages, I’m afraid. I’ll just see to Frikk.’ Ninni stood up from the sofa. Trailing the blanket after her, she went out to check on the dog.

Jack tried the overalls. Not a perfect fit, too wide and too short, but it was better than the other way around, he thought.

I’m bonkers, he thought. This is bonkers.

He looked up when Ninni came back. ‘He’s sleeping and he’s breathing better. I think the serum is working.’

‘Good. I’m starving – is there anything to eat here, apart from dog food?’

Ninni smiled. She was more composed now. ‘Let’s see what’s in the kitchen.’

‘They have a kitchen?’ Jack followed.

‘Where do you think they keep the coffee? Also, it’s a lunchroom,’ Ninni said.

It was more of a mini version of a kitchenette – an electric kettle, a small fridge, a table and four chairs and, most importantly, a stove.

‘I’m not touching anything in there,’ Ninni declared and shut the refrigerator door.

‘Where’s the nearest shop?’ Jack could see she was at the end of her tether.

‘Oh, there’s one by Hotel Saga, I think.’ Ninni sank down on one of the chairs. ‘You don’t have to go. It’s still raining.’