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‘No. The conversation we had when I called you at the doctor’s? I think it’s time.’

Mia nodded. ‘You want me to get the ball rolling?’

‘As soon as possible, please. And I’m going to ask you something quite difficult too.’

‘You don’t want me to tell Aiden yet?’

‘I knew you were smart.’ Sylvie patted her hand. ‘But no, I’d like to tell him myself, when I think the time is right. I don’t like asking you to keep anything from him, but when it comes to things like this, I think he needs to be eased into it.’

Mia sighed. ‘You called me when I was at work. As far as I’m concerned, it falls under patient confidentiality.’

‘Thank you, Mia.’ Sylvie hesitated.

‘There’s something else?’

‘This is really embarrassing.’ Sylvie looked away. ‘But the house is… Well, there’s a bit of a mess. I don’t want Aiden to go home and see blood. Do you think you can arrange for someone to go in and sort it out?’

‘I’ll deal with it.’ Mia nodded. It was an easy favour to grant.

‘There’s money in my dresser – use that.’

‘Not needed.’ Mia squeezed Sylvie’s hand. ‘I’ll sort it myself.’

‘I can’t ask you to do that.’

‘Please, it’s nothing to me. I’ve seen far worse at work and have a cleaning box in my car when I’m on call. Unless you were sick, I’m OK with most things.’

‘Really? Vomit is the line you draw?’ Sylvie laughed, just as Mia had hoped she would.

‘Every girl has her limits.’ She winked.

Aiden walked back in to the sound of his ma laughing, and Mia murmuring something about limits, which was making what he was thinking even harder. ‘It was mostly junk food in the machine, but I got a few options.’ He dropped the chocolate bars and crisps on the table, not that he had any appetite.

‘I’m heading off.’ Mia kissed his ma gently on the cheek. ‘Walk me out, Aiden?’

He took a deep breath – better to get this over with. He followed Mia out of the bay, and down the corridor a bit before stopping. ‘Can we talk?’

‘Of course.’

She looked so beautiful. Even though the bats had stopped moving, and the dress had returned to relatively normal, she was still the most magical thing in his life.

His mouth was dry, and he had to force the words out. ‘Mia, I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can do this any more.’

‘Do what?’

‘This. Us. I need to be here for Ma. And I’m sorry, but I just can’t give you the time you deserve while looking after her. I think it’s best if we stop things now.’

‘Right.’ She stared at him, her lips bitten tightly together. She didn’t speak for long, awkward moments, just stared, hands on her hips.

Aiden’s heart thumped a painful count in his chest, echoing in his aching head. ‘Mia, I really am sorry⁠—’

‘Yeah,’ she interrupted. ‘You said that. And no.’

‘What?’

‘No.’

‘I’m sorry. No to what?’