I can sense the floor giving way beneath me. I feel dizzy with worry, but I stifle the flare of panic. “Hey, Dad,” I whisper, kneeling down beside him and staring into his face. It’s as impassive and empty as ever, a haunted house full of sinister torments.

“Dad? I’m going up to see Maddie. It’s her birthday today. Any message you’d like me to pass on?” I tell him about my plans for a pajama party to liven up her day. Either that or Pippi Longstocking. My father doesn’t raise any objections, and I take this for his blessing. “Wish me luck, okay?”

My father’s ventilator makes a rattling noise, but there’s nothing more. Not a thing. He shows no emotion, not even when I tell him what I have in my pocket for Maddie.

“Samuel Valentiner.” God’s voice catches me completely off guard. “Is that a tart you’ve brought with you?”

I nod and stammer, “T-today’s Maddie’s birthday.”

God gives me a wink. “Sing her a song for me, lad.”

If only you knew, I think.

“By the way, your dad’s had two visitors today. A young man called Ibrahim, and Greg, a very old friend of your father’s and his former boss. Do you know them?”

I shake my head. I don’t know anyone. My life and my father’s never touched before his accident. I feel a brief but wild surge of anger toward my father. Because he’s ill. Because he tried to sneak away. Because I miss him.

God hands me a card. “Here, this is Greg’s number. He’s a journalist. Call him. Ask him about your father. Bug him. Promise me you will?”

I nod, slip my rucksack onto my shoulder, take the lift to the fifth floor, walk along the corridor, and ease open the door of Maddie’s room with my toe.

“Hi, it’s me, Sam.”

She’s lying in bed with her eyes open. I wave the tart in front of her nose. “It’s your birthday today,” I say stupidly. She knows that, you twerp.

I gather my courage to do something I really, really hate. “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you,” I start, and as there’s no one else but me there on her birthday, I sing with rising volume and cheer. “Happy birthday, dear Maddie, happy birthday to you.”

She stares at me without seeing me, and I glance at her schedule for the day. Ah, it’ll soon be time for her eye drops.