"Slivers of delusion are usually the ones that get us into the most trouble. Without giving any details he doesn't want widely known, one of Zoran's biggest slivers of delusion nearly had him dead. That's not even an exaggeration. He came close to dying more than once in recent months." Melody was listening in sad disbelief. "Is she okay? In a perfect world, no kids their age should have to face things like that. In perfect world, if that was the case, you wouldn't have a job either. Idealising is humans' biggest flaw. You know they understand the complexities of suicide, though. As awful as it is to realise that. I did see him, and it was horrific. I'll never forget his eyes. Don't you think the fact he's nearly taken his own might mean he gets that sometimes, life is too much to keep going with?"

She smiled at the kiss and looked at her pyjamas. "These are so old, they should've been retired with the dinosaurs. I could tell from your voice on the phone that we weren't going to be heading to One If By Land for a fancy-schmancy dinner. I'm glad you two are talking, though. He doesn't warm easily to people, but he was eager when you were interested in coming on board. I think he knows you'll get that he's a trauma survivor and not judge the mistakes he made from it. His bark is worse than his bite, though. You wouldn't have stood a chance right off the bat if he felt like you were going to hurt me." She reached over to get the drink for him, putting it pointedly in his hand. "At least get a bit of something into your belly."