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‘And edit videos of Ruby and Ernie and the others?’

‘I knew it!’ he crowed triumphantly. ‘You are a Rickhead!’

‘Hardly.’ Angela rolled her eyes. ‘I just thought it was a good idea to keep an eye on what you’re posting.’

‘Of course.’ He had to bite his lips together to keep from smiling.

‘Shut up.’ She laughed, giving him a nudge.

‘What? I didn’t say anything!’

‘You didn’t have to.’ The look she gave him was so filled with amusement that he couldn’t help grinning back.

‘I really appreciate you not sharing the details of Bill’s, by the way.’

‘You’re welcome.’ Rick shrugged. ‘At first it was a bit of self-preservation. I didn’t really want my fans finding out I was only here because of a court order. But then I got to know you, and Ruby and Ernie and the others, and I realised you probably wouldn’t want a bunch of strangers poking about.’

‘True enough.’ Angela smiled, making him feel that warmth in his chest when she approved of something he did. ‘But still, thank you.’

It took them nearly an hour, but with some ingenuity and swearing — not just from Mallow — they managed to turn one of the pens into a temporary cage, with enough space for a couple of perches and the toys Rick emptied out of his bag. He grinned when Mallow strutted across the floor of the makeshift enclosure, throwing toys until they were in what she clearly thought were their “proper” position. Given that she’d been tapping on death’s door a few days earlier, he was delighted to see her filled with so much spunk and attitude.

Angela laughed as one of the more expensive chew toys — which Mallow was supposed to attack instead of her own feathers — bounced off the wire and was followed by a prolonged raspberry noise.

‘You know she’s got you wrapped round her smallest claw, right?’

He did, and he didn’t really care. ‘I know I’ve said this a lot in the last few days, but again — thank you, Angela.’

‘You’re welcome.’ She smiled at him, and the approval in her eyes warmed him right through. ‘Can I be honest with you, Rick?’

‘Yes.’ He swallowed hard, hoping it wasn’t going to be anything too difficult to hear.

‘I’m starting to think she might be rehabilitating you as much as you are her.’

‘Really?’ That was one of the last things he’d expected to hear.

‘Without putting too fine a point on it, could you have seen yourself rearranging your living room, and parts of your life, for a bald cockatoo a few months ago?’

‘I guess it is a bit different for me.’ He shrugged. ‘But maybe it’s not such a bad thing?’ he mused aloud.

‘If you’re waiting for me to argue with you on that, you’re going to have a really long wait.’ She gave him one of those smiles that made her eyes sparkle.

‘So, you’re saying you like this version of me better?’ He knew he shouldn’t tease her — it was verging on flirting, which was probably an even dumber move than rescuing a swearing, bald, biting cockatoo. But he couldn’t resist.

‘More than the version of you who turned up on the first day, shoved a camera in my face, and did almost nothing helpful at all? Yeah, I like this version better. What are you grinning at?’

‘The fact that you said you like me.’ He couldn’t keep the smile from his face.

‘Fine, I like you.’ Angela grinned. ‘But I could go off you pretty fast, if we end up having to work late.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ He flicked her a cheeky salute before peering at Mallow. ‘And you, you had best behave!’

Mallow just whistled innocently. If it was possible to grin with a beak, he was sure she would have.