He considers the question before replying with a smile. ‘I’ll read. You chillax.’

He bashes the space on the pillow beside his head, gesturing for me to join him.

‘Fair enough,’ I laugh, doing as he says and getting comfy. ‘Chillaxing it is, but I do snore, so you’re going to have to make this interesting.’

‘Some good voices?’

‘Yes, please!’ I say, hearing Zaza and Chloe get started on their own book about a pooping dinosaur.

No wonder Barnaby didn’t want me to read, he’s a better reader than I am. He didn’t hesitate once, even over the nerdy space words that I definitely would’ve pronounced wrong. I sit beside him with a grin on my face. Astounded by the brilliance of this little boy who was actually grown by one of my mates. He’s a walking miracle.

By the time he’s done Zaza has joined us to listen, continuously throwing proud aunty looks my way. Chloe fell asleep on the last word of her book, even though she’d been giggling a few pages before, and I hadn’t realized that being older Barnaby would be on chapter books. This particular chapter seems to be the longest any author has thought into existence, but luckily, for tonight at least, he has a captive audience hanging on his every word.

When he finishes he grabs his bookmark, carefully popping it in the book before placing it on his bedside table.

‘Thank you, Barns,’ smiles Zaza, giving him a squeeze while wearing a look full of admiration. She stands up and checks once more on Chloe, who has already wriggled free of her covers.

‘You really are one smart kid,’ I declare to Barnaby.

‘I’ll read to you any time, Uncle Mike,’ he offers, looking incredibly pleased with himself.

‘Night, Barnaby,’ I say, leaning in to give him a kiss on the head.

He rolls over and turns off his lamp. As Zaza and I make to go his voice speaks quietly in the darkness.

‘Do you think she’s having cake today?’

I stop in my tracks as a lump of emotion forms in my throat, a pang of elation suddenly hitting that she’s been remembered by him. ‘The biggest cake you can imagine,’ I manage to whisper.

‘And balloons!’ adds Zaza.

‘That’s nice …’ the duvet rustles as he turns and cosies into his bed, happy with our answers.

Zaza and I take an audible breath at the same time before leaving the room, bumping into Vicky on the landing, looking refreshed.

‘No! Already?’ she says. ‘Can you come back every night?’

‘God no,’ Zaza jokes, leading us down the stairs. ‘I owe you a large wine.’