Gracie’s next sigh was more of a snarl. Jack closed his eyes, realising that it wasn’t the best time for his brand of humour.

‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘Go ahead.’

‘Did you know Charlie well?’ asked Gracie.

‘I did towards the end.’

‘Was he nice?’

Jack sighed. Eleven months had passed between Takeover Day and Charlie Coleman’s death, and even after spending so much time in such cramped conditions, there were still people in Spitfire’s Rise he hadn’t got to know.

‘He was Charlie, I guess.’

‘But was he nice?’

‘He was… endearing. I don’t think “nice” was the best word to describe him. But he had his good sides, even if you had to look for them.’

Gracie sat down on the faded sofa, her face indecipherable.

‘I didn’t speak to him. Not once.’

‘He was a decent guy,’ said Jack. ‘It’s a shame you two didn’t get to know each other.’

Gracie shrugged, and gave her response in a low, subdued tone.

‘I don’t think either of us missed out on much.’

Jack wasn’t prepared for that kind of answer. He took a deep breath, and then coughed out a mouthful of dust.

Gracie was sad about herself, and Jack wasn’t sure why. He was an expert at being kind and caring, but knew nothing about how to show kindness and care. Sometimes when people were sad they wanted to talk about it, and sometimes they wanted to be left alone. And whichever Jack gambled on, he always seemed to get it wrong. It was a heartbreaking position to be in: wanting so deeply to help people in need, but constantly being scorned for trying and failing. Jack could follow any instruction manual to perfection, but people were more difficult than machines.

In the end, he put a hand on Gracie’s shoulder and gave what he thought was a sympathetic smile. It seemed like the action least likely to be offensive.

‘I’m going to check upstairs, and keep watch on the street,’ he said. ‘Ewan shouldn’t be far away. Stay down here and have a rest if you like. You deserve it.’

Gracie said nothing, and Jack couldn’t tell whether his response had been the right one. But either way, the house needed guarding. And he had to admit, he was anxious about why Ewan hadn’t reached the house first.

*

Five o’clock came and went, and Ewan was nowhere to be seen.

Half past five came and went, and daylight began to fade.

Six o’clock came, and Jack made a phone call to comms to check if they had heard anything. The call did nothing but make Shannon scared. Even Alex’s voice seemed to lose its cool.

By half past six, Jack’s nerves had turned to clear and simple panic.