‘You told me once that doesn’t make a lot of difference much of the time in your world.’

‘It doesn’t feel like my world and it makes a difference to me.’

I made an effort to stand, and Jack reached out a hand which I took, and he pulled me up, which apparently took less effort than he thought as I was suddenly extremely close to his chest, placing a hand on it to steady myself as his own hand went to my waist. The fading scent of his aftershave lingered, and for a split second, I wanted to pause there, breathe it in. But then reality gave me a hard prod.

‘Whoops!’ I said, a little over-brightly and stepped away, turning as I did so.

‘Lily?’

‘Yes?’ I looked round briefly, but kept walking, heading over to the hob to warm some milk for a drink. When nothing more had been said by the time I got there, I glanced across at him. He was studying his feet. ‘Jack?’

His head snapped up. ‘Huh?’

‘Was there something you wanted to say?’

There was a pause before he shook his head and smiled. ‘No. Nothing. Sorry. Not used to alcohol so much these days, but I needed the fortification tonight.’

‘It’s fine. You’re not drunk.’

He laughed. ‘I’m not sober, either.’

‘This is true. Go on, get up to bed. You look like you’re about to fall down asleep anyway. Get some rest. It’s been an emotionally exhausting night for you, I’m sure.’

‘I don’t suppose it was a picnic for you either.’

‘We’re not talking about me, but I’m fine.’ He looked uncertain. ‘Really. As you say, it’s good practice for the London do.’

‘Yeah, I guess. And at least you won’t have my mother to deal with at that one, so it should be a breeze.’

‘We can only hope,’ I replied, before shooing him up the stairs.

Sitting in the silence, sipping my hot drink, I considered the night. In reality, for me, the thought of going this evening had been worse than the actual event. I couldn’t speak for Jack but it was obvious to Edward and me at least that he hadn’t enjoyed the circus that had been built around his return. Jack was good at putting on a public face. Perhaps it was all part of the upbringing, but I knew from my own attempts at this that there was a limit to how long you could do it for before it either overwhelmed you or you lost sight of who you really were behind the mask.

I had no idea what had been going on in Jack’s brain tonight when he’d spoken my name. He was partly standing in the shadows, so it had been hard to read his expression, but I didn’t buy it was just the alcohol. There had been something else, but clearly he hadn’t been as ready to share as he’d initially thought, and I wasn’t about to push. I’d had enough people push me years ago, from every direction, to talk, to get out, to date, in fact, to do everything I had no wish to do. And although I understood all of those wishes came from a good place and caring hearts, it was too much. People have to do things when they’re ready. Jack clearly hadn’t been ready to share whatever thought was swirling around his mind, but if and when he was, I was happy to listen.