‘Don’t worry about it.’ Christian waved the suggestion away. ‘I’ll get you what you need.’ Then he was gone, racing up the stairs, back to his online friends. Elsie wasn’t the only one with a compulsion, but at least his wasn’t damaging his health.

‘Looks like it’s just you and me, Felix.’ Elsie spoke to her cat as he purred on her lap. Doctor Costello had spoken of counselling. Of getting to the root of Elsie’s overeating. The truth was, she already knew the cause. She just wasn’t strong enough to fight it.

18

Maggie stared at the marble sky as clouds rolled over the moon. She flicked the business card back and forth in her fingers, the cool night air clearing her thoughts. In her other hand was a cigarette – her guilty pleasure. She’d peeped in on Elliott before daring to light it, comforted to see him snoozing. The first hours were always the most peaceful and it was a relief to get him down early for once. But the hollows beneath his eyes relayed that sleep was not a safe place. He had battled to stay awake, finally slumbering in her arms as tiredness took hold. As much as she dreaded Elliott’s nocturnal visions, her son felt it tenfold. They came and went in waves. After social services visited, they’d had a blessed respite and Maggie had dared to hope that Elliott could lead a normal life. Now it was starting all over again.