I put my hands on my hips and wiggle my bottom. At least, that’s what I try to do. I dance to Dirty Dancing in my peach pajamas, Batman slippers, and blue eye shadow. I think Maddie is cracking up with laughter.

I’m really getting into the swing of this now. As I dance, moving more stupidly and more freely than I’ve ever done before, I fall in love with Maddie. I fall in love with her as if she were the song of my life, which I will hear over and over again. She’ll be the soundtrack to my life.

It’s no wonder I don’t notice the door open.

“Hi, Sam? Or should I say: ‘Hi, boy-who-looks-a-bit-like-Sam?’ Have you got blue eye shadow on?”

Nurse Marion comes into the room. I trip over my Batman shoes and go all red in the face. Again.

“Think green might suit me better?” I ask breathlessly.

“Now, don’t be cheeky. What are you doing in here?”

“We’re celebrating Maddie’s birthday.”

“Oh yeah?”

“This is how girls like to party.”

“Oh, sure. Yeah. Right.” She eyes me up and down, and I take a peek at the wardrobe mirror to my left and am amazed at how ridiculous you can make yourself if you’re willing to put a little thought and effort into it.

Marion points at the iPad. “What are you watching?”

“Dirty Dancing. It’s a film about melons.”

“Is that so? Did you tread on Batman?”

“Hmm.”

Nurse Marion picks up the eye drop bottle, moistens Maddie’s pupils with a practiced gesture, and sits down on the other side of the bed to watch the film with us. I take up my former position on the bed and hold up the screen, even if it’ll make my arms go numb. It doesn’t matter.

I notice that I blush from time to time when they start snogging.

“It’s healthy,” Marion explains. “Exchanging bacteria is good for the immune system.”

“Yuck,” I exclaim.

Maddie giggles. Well, I think she does.

Dramatic twists and turns come thick and fast.

“Hey, why doesn’t he tell Baby’s dad he didn’t make her pregnant?”

Because then the film would be over.

“Oh right! Wow!” I’m thrilled because Maddie continues to talk to me despite Marion’s presence. Only in my head, of course, but I don’t think anyone can really object to a little bit of craziness.

Don’t you think Johnny’s cute? Maddie asks.

“Me? No. Why, do you?”

No, I don’t either. I think you’re cute, Sam.