Out of her sight, Adrian allowed himself to feel the pain. He winced as he walked up the stairs. He blurted out a sob, unsure where it had come from and hoping that Imogen hadn’t heard it. He walked over to the bed and noticed there was blood streaking his sheets. Imogen would be up any moment.

He quickly pulled the bedding off and rolled it into a ball, stuffing it in the bottom of the wardrobe. He grabbed a clean set from the cupboard and redressed the bed, covering the large red rose-shaped stain on his mattress with a towel before putting the sheet on. He would have to replace it. He couldn’t risk Imogen seeing it.

His body begged to be lying down again, but he was desperate not to be discovered. His eyes were streaming and he didn’t know how to stop them. He changed his tracksuit bottoms as well and climbed in bed just moments before he heard Imogen on the stairs. Wiping his eyes, he turned onto his side – lying on his back hurt too much and he didn’t want to get more blood on the sheets.

‘Thank you,’ he said as Imogen entered the room and put the soup by the bed.

‘You really look terrible, Miley. Have you been to see a doctor?’

She leaned over and put her hand on his cheek again. He braced himself as her hand touched him. He didn’t want any hands on him at all. Be normal.

‘I’ll be OK. I just need to sleep it off.’

He resisted the urge to push her hand away and just screamed on the inside.

‘Well, I’m staying here to look after you. I don’t care if you’re annoyed at me.’

‘I don’t want to give you what I have got. Maybe you should sleep in the other room.’

‘Nonsense. I never get sick. I’ll be downstairs. Call if you need me. Maybe a hot shower will make you feel better.’

‘Good idea.’

He smiled and she removed her hand. He could breathe again.

He waited for her to leave the room and then went into the bathroom. The black sack with his soiled things inside was still on the floor. He pulled his clothes off and stood in front of the mirror. Pale and bruised, the tears started to form in his eyes and dripped down without him even feeling as though he was crying. This was just who he was now. Pathetic.