Read Chapter 12: — ARTHUR

Arthur called every evening whether he needed a lift or not.

At first Ethan assumed the old man was lonely. Then he realised Arthur had made it his personal mission to supervise him.

"How many hours did you drive?"

"Ten."

"Too many. Eat something green."

"I had crisps."

"Potatoes do not count when deep-fried."

"Authoritarian."

"Former headteacher. Same thing."

Arthur's son, David, was working fourteen-hour shifts at St Anne's. His daughter-in-law, Priya, was in the infectious-disease unit. Their nine-year-old daughter was staying with Priya's sister outside the city.

Arthur had cancer and an empty flat.

Still, he never complained.

One evening, Ethan asked him how.

"How what?"

"How are you not terrified?"

Arthur was quiet.

"I am."

The answer surprised Ethan.

"Courage is not a personality type, son. Frightened people can do useful things. Brave people can panic. The trick is not asking fear for permission."

Ethan repeated the sentence to Maya that night.

She wrote it on a sticky note and put it beneath the rule by the door.

COME HOME.

Fear doesn't get a vote.