Tom eyes me sympathetically. ‘Once we get to the mainland, I’ll help you find a doctor who’ll come out and visit her.’ When I don’t say anything, he adds quickly, ‘Or we can try and find someone else in your family, whatever you think is best.’

‘Thanks.’

The word comes out tight and ungrateful, and I soften it with a smile. I’m thankful that he cares enough to want to help me. At the same time, I have no intention of returning to the mainland. I’ve only just found my mum – I’m not about to leave her.

‘You’re still coming back with me, right?’

I nod and smile more convincingly this time.

‘I know that look.’

‘What look?’

‘The half-nod – the one where you nod and give a funny little half-smile, usually followed by you biting your lip. The one that tells me you’re lying.’

I stare at him then look away, careful not to show my feelings.

‘And if I’m not mistaken, you just gave me the ice glare. If we were at work, you’d walk away from me now – off to harass some poor visitor with facts about mandibles when all they want to do is look at pretty butterflies and forget their problems for half an hour.’

‘Do you even know what mandibles are?’

‘Teeth or those long spindly things on their heads. My point is that you’d rather do anything than have a real conversation with me.’

I cross my arms, unsure which appals me more: the fact he’s given my facial expressions names or that he knows so little about butterfly anatomy, despite doing the same job as me for nearly a year. ‘You mean antennae? Mandibles are jaws – caterpillars have them but butterflies do not.’

‘Whatever. I know you take yourself off to the storeroom whenever the guys at work are arranging a night out. I even know about your hiding place. I looked in the window once and saw you squeeze yourself between two cardboard boxes at the back.’

I turn over with a huff, wondering how the conversation has managed to change so quickly. One minute we were talking about demons and the next he’s admitting to spying on me at work. Undeterred by my cold shoulder, he continues. ‘I never understood why you clammed up when I asked about your home life. It makes sense now, but I still don’t see why you never came out with us. If anyone dared to invite you, you’d get this look on your face: the brick wall.’

‘Well, thanks for the fascinating insight into my character. It’s been educational, but I’m going to sleep now.’

He laughs. ‘I know you want to argue with me, but you don’t in case you reveal too much about yourself. That’s why you always walk off when you’re angry, isn’t it?’

I thump my pillow. ‘No, I just don’t engage in mental combat with the unarmed.’

He scoffs and starts to say something else, but I cut him off. ‘Look, I’m tired. Why don’t you save the witty comeback for the morning? It will give you time to come up with something really clever.’