Tom huffs. ‘I won’t miss Uncle Mike being on my case, that’s for sure. The man was like a software update: every time I saw him I thought not now.’

I laugh, remembering the way Tom used to dive into the undergrowth whenever our boss was on the warpath. Mr Neeson would hurry around the walkways, his short hairy legs working overtime, never seeming to notice the giant fern trembling with laughter.

Tom stands up and goes to the oven and I find myself gazing into space. The fact we were at work only a few days ago makes being here feel even more surreal.

He dishes up the half-incinerated frittata, then turns and hands me a plate. ‘I know what you mean. It’s weird to think we were there just days ago.’

I take the food, my eyes wide with surprise, and watch his shoulders do a tiny wriggle as he picks up his fork. If he’s aware of anything, he’s hiding it well. Is it the same for him? Can he hear what I’m thinking right now?

He glances over his shoulder then back at me, his voice strained with anxiety.

‘Why are you staring?’

‘I’m not.’

He twists in his seat and scans the room. ‘The shadows – is there something there?’

‘No. Sorry, I guess I’m just looking at you because I’m amazed at how good it tastes.’ I cough on a lump of hard potato and add quickly, ‘You’re a really good cook.’

He raises his eyebrows. ‘Hey, it’s me you’re talking to. You don’t have to pretend.’

I smile with relief and we eat in silence, both of us picking around the burnt bits.

‘So how did it go with your sisters?’ he asks.

I pull a face.

‘That good?’

‘Worse. How was your day?’

He jabs his fork at a pile of books. ‘I’ve been doing some reading. Did you know that Merlin once tutored Morgan? Apparently it was a huge honour to be his apprentice.’

I shift in my seat, my shoulders tensing. ‘You know what he did, right?’

Tom glances at a book lying face down on the table, the faded black cover embossed with silver letters: The Life of Merlin. The same book the witches left on my pillow. Tom’s lips don’t move but his voice sounds loud and clear.

Yes, but we’re only hearing one side of the story. How do we know Morgan is telling us everything?