Jenny sits up in bed, Chad perched on the blankets beside her, holding her hand.
There’s a sharp tap at the door and the kind of short hesitation that suggests the maker of the rap might be allowing a moment’s grace before entering.
The door swings open and Mrs Collier steps in with a tray. “I’ve made you chicken soup Jenny. You’ll be staying to eat with us of course, Chad?”
“Thank you, Mrs Collier. I’d like that.”
She places the tray down on Jenny’s lap. Pale creamy soup, fragrant with thyme and sage and…. something else wonderful…. steams gently up. “If you want more, there’s plenty more where that came from.”
“Thank you. It smells lovely.”