And so they flew across the Atlantic Ocean in the sleek private jet.

They took turns sleeping, to regather their energy.

Hours passed.

When they were a few hours out of New York, Nobody checked the flight patterns around the eastern seaboard of the United States.

What he saw disturbed him.

He walked back into the main cabin to wake Iolanthe but he found her already awake, staring out the window at the night sky.

‘There’s no air traffic at all over any of the major cities on the east coast: New York, Boston, Philly, D.C.,’ he said. ‘Zero chatter on the airwaves, too. Even the air-traffic controllers have gone silent.’

‘What, oh . . .’ Iolanthe said, distracted.

‘Hey. You okay?’ Nobody asked gently.

Iolanthe turned to face him. ‘I was just thinking about what Chloe said to me, about what I’ve become.’

‘What do you mean?’ Nobody sat down across from her.

‘For as long as I can remember, my whole life has been about looks and appearances, money and power. I really have been a spoilt bitch for a long time.’

Nobody nodded.

He looked at Iolanthe’s shaven head and wounded nose.

‘People can change, you know,’ he said. ‘And it looks to me like you’ve changed quite a bit. I mean, I’ve only ever known this version of you and, well, I mean, I like it.’

He shifted uncomfortably. ‘I mean, hey, if we somehow survive this and the universe doesn’t end, maybe, I don’t know, I could take you out for dinner or coffee or something?’

Iolanthe raised her eyebrows. ‘Are you asking me out on a date?’

‘Well, yeah.’

Iolanthe shook her head. ‘I don’t deserve a guy like you. You’re smart, you’re nice, you’re well above average in the looks department. Christ, you’re wealthy, too. This is what I’m saying. All I’ve ever known are rich dukes and princes—’

Nobody smiled. ‘Yes, but I don’t live through my money. It just helps me do what I like to do. I still go to the supermarket and buy groceries; hell, I even buy Pepsi instead of Coke when it’s on special. I doubt your royal rich boys ever set foot in a supermarket.’

‘That’s true.’

Nobody leaned forward, looked her squarely in the eyes. ‘I won’t lie. It’s hard to change. But the first step is to acknowledge who you used to be and then decide to be different. Looks like you’ve been doing exactly that.’

Iolanthe rubbed her shaved head. ‘But look at me . . .’

‘I told you once, I like this look. It’s got a cool punk-rocker vibe to it. More than that, it’s you: you reduced to your pure self. No make-up, no manicures, no groomed eyebrows, not even any hair. This is as authentic as someone can get and I’m okay with that.’