Chapter 98

“I promise,” Jayden insisted.

Darren hummed. He wouldn’t stop watching, even when the nurse peeked back around the curtain and swept in for the tray. “Good,” she said briskly and eyed them. Her demeanour softened a touch. “Do you want anything else, Darren? You could do with some more energy, you know.”

Jayden frowned.

“Orange juice?” Darren said hopefully. “And,” he added when she nodded, “is there like a list of people allowed to see me?”

“It’s family only in the mornings,” she said.

“He counts.” Darren wiggled his fingers at Jayden’s neck; Jayden flushed. “Mother’ll say he doesn’t, but he does.”

The nurse raised her eyebrows. “And he is…?”

“Jayden Phillips,” Jayden supplied.

“I’ll make a note of it, dear, but your mother isn’t to come complaining to me if you have another argument,” she said sternly, and Darren nodded.

“You had a row with your mum?” Jayden asked.