There’s no easy way of living, is there? Thought Jack’s own voice.

No, came the answer. If you’re lonely it’s hard. If people depend on you it’s hard. That’s the truth of it, and I wish it were easier.

‘I’m sorry, Simon,’ Jack said, before the voice in his mind could say anything else. Somewhere in the silence, Jack was sure he heard a whisper.

‘OK?’ it said.

At first Jack thought he had invented the noise himself. Simon had never spoken to him with words before.

‘I’ll be alright, Simon. I’m sorry I got frustrated. It’s been a long night. What did you want me for?’

There was a pause, and Simon’s whisper came again.

‘OK?’

‘Yes, I’m sure I’m fine. What can I do for you?’

‘…OK?’

The penny dropped. If that was the right phrase. Jack looked in the direction of the whisper.

‘Is that what you came here for, Simon? To ask me if I was OK?’

‘Ye…’

Jack was overcome with a whole different range of emotions. It was a wonderful compliment, but it came with searing guilt. Simon had come to check up on his friend, and been ranted at in return – by a friend who almost never ranted at anyone.

But beyond the emotional struggle, it was an opportunity Jack did not get very often: someone offering to listen to how he felt rather than ask for his advice. And it was an opportunity worth taking.

‘Well, I guess my secrets are safe with you,’ Jack said, swinging his legs off the bed and switching on his torch. A moment later, he realised how the sentence had sounded.

‘Wait,’ he blurted, ‘I didn’t mean because of you not talking much. It’s because I know I can trust you. Sorry if it… well, anyway…’

Simon sat on the bed at his side, and patted him on the shoulder. Jack pretended not to hate it. Simon was being his own kind of supportive, and discouraging a selective mute from nonverbal communication would be a dreadful idea.

‘Simon,’ Jack said, ‘I think I’ve just worked out why I’m still alive.’

He shone the torchlight vaguely towards Simon: enough to see the confusion on his face.

‘I don’t know if you know this, but I tried to kill myself a couple of times. Back in the old world. I’ve not tried since Takeover Day. Never even come close. And tonight, just now, I think I’ve worked out why. It’s because people depend on me.’

Jack thought he could feel another tear, but he had stopped being bothered about them.