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The countdown has officially started.

Alice is curled up beside me, one hand resting near my chest. Jack lies on her other side, sprawled across the mattress as though sleep itself has surrendered to him.

Until he opens his eyes and turns to face me with a grin. Always such a bloody joker.

“Morning, sunshine.”

“Please don’t.”

“Feeling a touch fragile?”

“Something like that.”

“The grim reaper is called Christopher fucking Otley, you know that?”

Yes, I do know that. I wish the grim reaper would go reap himself off to hell.

Alice stirs between us. She stretches and yawns, then presses closer to me.

For a few precious seconds, I let myself pretend we’re simply three people in bed on a Sunday morning. That there’s nowhere Alice has to go. No family waiting to remind her of her obligations. No prick flying in from Chicago. No deadline ticking towards us.

Then she sighs.

“Shit… I have to be at Mum and Dad’s by half twelve.”

And there it is.

Reality, reporting for duty.

I get out of bed and try to gather my fractured thoughts while I take a piss. I brush my teeth and stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes are sunken and my chin is crying out for a shave.

No match for the perfectly pristine piece of shit planning his grand return from across the Atlantic.

Alice and Jack are still lounging in bed when I return, no sign of a mad dash from Alice getting ready for her Sunday lunch. Her smile is sweet as she reaches out for me, welcoming me back under the covers with open arms.

She’s in one of Jack’s shirts as usual, but she was bare naked when we finally surrendered to nightfall, so something has been going on while I’ve been in slumberland.

My darling Soul Girl cuddles up close to me, resting her head on my shoulder. I hold her tight, resisting the urge to death grip her so tightly she’ll never be able to go.

But that’s not me. I’m Mr Rational. The fates have already aligned in another direction, and I’ll be on the sidelines.

“You look so stressed,” she says.

“Rough sleep.”

“Sure.”

I look over at Jack. Mr Casual. It’s clear he’s been up and about as well. His eyes are too bright to be fresh from sleeping.

“Have you two been munching toasties in my absence?” I ask. “How rude.”

“Nah,” Jack says. “I’ve already had enough cheese for the next century.”

“Good job I made such an investment, then.” My voice sounds more bitter than I intend it to, so I force a smile. “You’ll change your mind come lunchtime. That machine is too powerful to resist.”

“Just like Daddy Parker.”

Alice stiffens in my arms at that, shooting him daggers over her shoulder.