So chuffed I've made it to part 10 already but trying not to be intimidated by how much more of the story I still have to tell! Really enjoying writing this and I'm excited for the next part, but have no idea when there will be enough hours in the day for me to get it started. I promise it'll be as soon as I can. In the meantime, please help me celebrate reaching chapter 10 (sorry, such shameless plugging, haha) with a review? I love and appreciate everyone single bit of feedback.

Bonnie Sveen Fan: Thank you for reviewing and your continued support. I love it when they get along too, I could read it forever! I hope you'll like the brotherly banter in this chapter as well.

Panic-at-casualty: Yeah, there's a bit more optimism in the coming chapters as, let's face it, I've given them a hard time so far. I love how you've summed up Connie's visit - it's exactly how I wanted it to come across, so I was really happy reading that. She's not one of my favourite characters but I do have a soft spot for when she shows some empathy towards her team. Hope you're feeling better now. Thank you for your review and in fact all of your reviews, always appreciated.

casualtyfics111: Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it and also really pleased the Connie scene worked. I don't find her the easiest to write , but that scene kind of wrote itself and I think her opposite approach to Ethan might have helped Cal (not that Ethan isn't being a massive help himself, of course!) Thank you for your ongoing support.

10.

Cal slumps against the back of their sofa. A month ago he'd never have imagined feeling this envious of his brother going to work. Yet now, watching Ethan ready to go, stethoscope balanced prematurely around his neck, Cal's limbs ache with the desire to attack a complex trauma case. He can tell Ethan is looking forward to his return from the small smile on his lips as he adjusts his blazer. Cal can't blame him; he's been almost as much a prisoner in their flat as he has, but he doesn't understand the sudden hesitancy in Ethan's morning routine.

"Nibbles, you know, you are just going to work. It doesn't matter if you're wearing a suit or trackies…"

Ethan resettles his glasses on his nose and mutters something about wanting to look presentable.

"-or if there's a coffee stain on your shirt," Cal continues.

"Hmm?" Ethan acknowledges him properly this time, his head shooting up to exchange a look of panic, before frantically pulling his shirt out of his trousers to examine it. "What? Where?"

"Got you," Cal says.

"Caleb! Really? Did you have to?"

"Technically, I never said there was a coffee stain. Only that if there was it didn't matter."

"You're not funny," Ethan says. He re-tucks his shirt. "I was almost ready."

"Well, if you're ready, then go! Or if you're determined to faff around with your appearance then please take a second look at your hair. Way too much gel."

"There's nothing wrong with my hair," Ethan says, but Cal can see his arm twitch as he fights the urge to check it.

"Why are you delaying?" Cal asks. "I thought you were dying to get back."

"I-" Ethan starts.

He pauses for a few seconds too long and when Cal realises why, all of his amusement disintegrates.

"I'll be fine, Ethan," he says. "You can leave me, you know. I'm not going to do anything stupid."

"I didn't think you were-"

"Then what?" Cal demands. He pushes himself upright and, without bothering to use his crutches, hops over to look Ethan in the eye. "You're worried, aren't you?"

"No," Ethan says, uncertainly. "I know you'll be okay. But I'd rather be here just to- to make things easier for you."

Cal wobbles and instinctively grabs Ethan's shoulders to steady himself. His brother's hands immediately reach for him, finding home on his side, but his face displays the unspoken told you so.

"I can manage when I have to," Cal says, forcing his tone to sound genuine. "Besides, you've already made things easier. That thermos flask idea was genius. Coffee on tap and I can carry it without spilling."

Ethan's expression relaxes. "And thanks to Mrs Beauchamp I'll be back in time to make you some lunch."

"Exactly. So stop worrying and go save some lives!" He lets go of one of Ethan's shoulders to cup his cheek. "Try not to miss me too much, bro."

Although Ethan pushes his hand off his face, Cal can't help but notice his brother's fingers linger on his wrist for a few seconds longer than he'd expect.

"You will call me if you need anything?"

"I'll text you every hour," Cal parodies.

"Caleb."

"Yes, I'll call you," he agrees. "But, Ethan, all I'm planning on is a movie marathon and you know I can make it to both the toilet and the kitchen without any problems."

"Use the crutches. Don't hop."

Cal rolls his eyes. With the blisters on his hands only partially healed, he's been resistant to using his crutches and Ethan has had to catch him more than once as he's wobbled around the flat on one leg. To make his point he breaks away from his brother and hops back to the sofa.

"Right, anything you want bringing before I go?" Ethan looks around. "You've got the thermos, water, crisps. Your phone?"

Cal brings the phone out of his pocket to prove to Ethan he has it and makes a show of checking the time as he does so. "You do realise you're late?"

"What?" Ethan says, sounding flustered. "No, no, I had ages still."

"Got you again." Cal smirks. "It's only twenty past."

"Oh for heaven's sake, you really are a child," Ethan grumbles, but he's smiling. "Now, try to behave, and I'll see you at lunchtime, okay?"

"Yeah, see you later. Have a good day at work."

Ethan draws a breath so deep it straightens his back and collects his briefcase from the table. "Thanks, Cal," he says.

Ethan's first morning back had been relatively uneventful. He'd spent it in cubicles treating minor injuries and trying to convince a middle aged lady that she had nothing more than a bad case of the common cold. He had confirmed two broken wrists, removed a piece of Lego from a youngster's nose and referred a suspected angina patient to cardiology. But the biggest miracle of the lot was that he had managed to leave for his break exactly on the hour as planned.

He'd arrived home to find his brother curled up on the sofa where he'd left him, bored but in one piece. No plates had been broken, no drinks spilled and there were no more chips in the wallpaper from crutches that allegedly flew across the room on their own accord.

Then, after eating lunch with Cal and rushing through their washing up, Ethan says goodbye to his brother for the second time that day. He feels much more comfortable this time and breathes easily as he reverses out of his parking space. His brother has managed a whole morning by himself and there hasn't been even a minor catastrophe.

He arrives at the E.D. punctually but as soon as he's through the doors he hears his name being called. He spins around to see Elle striding purposely towards him.

"Ethan, just who I wanted to see," she announces. "Ambulance control have been on the line; they need assistance with an extraction. The patient needs sedation but she's trapped 40ft down." She barely gives him chance to take it in before she beckons to someone over his back. "Actually, you can take Alicia with you."

"Alicia?" He turns to find her right behind him. "Oh, um, hi."

She looks equally unimpressed to see him and he remembers that, in the chaos of the past week, he's neglected to reply to several of her messages.

Elle's still smiling, oblivious. "You said you wanted to shadow, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Alicia says. "Can't wait."

There's a beat of awkward silence.

"Right," Ethan says. "Better go and get changed."

Ethan senses Alicia follow him down the corridor but he doesn't acknowledge her until they're in the staff room, safely away from prying ears. However, his lack of communication seems to have riled her further, for when he finally turns, she's got her hands on her hips.

"It's not a problem me coming, is it?"

"No, no, of course not."

"Good." Her expression softens. "Sure you're okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"It's just- you're yet to take me up on that offer of a drink. I thought, maybe, I was a bit full on and that you've been avoiding me?"

He exhales. "I've not been at work, Alicia."

"I know," she says. "But I did text. Quite a few times, actually."

"Right, yes. It's just, with Cal, you know. I didn't want to leave him again until I knew he would be okay."

"Why, did something happen?"

Ethan considers telling her about their argument, about Cal collapsing in the street, about pouring their hearts out to each other in a way they never had before. But instead, he finds himself shaking his head. "He just needs a bit of help around the flat."

"You've still got to have a life though. Cal won't mind, I'm sure."

"I'd rather not risk it," he says. He knows Cal would insist on him going to the pub if he knew it was an option, but he's still got the niggling guilt in his mind from leaving Cal alone so long he reached breaking point.

Alicia pulls the green jumpsuit from the locker and holds it up against herself. "What do you think?" she asks, modelling it.

"Green's your colour," he tells her, thinking she'd still look beautiful in whatever shade she wore and anything from a paramedics uniform to a ball gown to a-

"Best get it on then, hadn't we?"

"P-pardon?"

She laughs while he blushes. "The uniform, Ethan!"

"Right, yes," he says. He makes no move to get changed.

She looks at him searchingly. "Come on, whatever it is, spit it out."

"It's just, I suppose after everything with the helicopter…"

"You thought being confined in a small, dark space may not be at the top of my priority list."

He angles his head to the side. "I don't think anyone would blame you for backing out."

"Backing out?" she echoes. "I'm not backing out. If anyone is backing out I would have thought it be you. You know, after what happened to Cal… putting yourself in a perilous position… if you're scared, people would understand."

"I'm not scared."

"Well then let's stop worrying."

Ethan nods. "Underground cave, here we come!"

The journey is only saved from being uncomfortable by a paramedic that rivals even Jez for monopolising the conversation. Ethan is happy to murmur the odd sound of agreement if it means keeping small talk between him and Alicia to the minimum. His own feelings towards her seem to have multiplied his usual levels of awkwardness.

Yet when they jump out from the ambulance, he's still careful to be a gentleman, taking the lead through the overgrown woods. Although he sets a fast pace, he's careful to ensure Alicia's not getting left behind, and that he holds back any protruding branches and alerts her of errant twigs that could cause a trip hazard.

The path leads to a clearing and he's surprised by the number of professionals involved in the case. He identifies Jez and leads Alicia towards him. The paramedic gives them a clear briefing on their patient but finishes with a warning to be quick as the cave could collapse any minute. Ethan gulps and exchanges a wary look with Alicia.

When his feet touch the bottom of the cave, relief that he's no longer suspended in mid-air quickly turns to concern. The cave is much darker than he had anticipated and he squints despite the light from their head torches. The thick mud has generated a dank smell and he can feel damp and cold air lapping at his exposed face. He wishes he was back home with Cal in the comfort of their lounge.

"My son, Ben," their patient says by way of greeting. "Where is he? Is he okay?"

"Your son is fine. He's being looked after," Ethan replies.

"Thank you, Doctor..?"

"Sorry, it's Doctor Hardy," he confirms. "And this is Doctor Monroe."

"Professor Lockford," she says. "Very pleased to meet you."

He gives a polite nod but his gaze quickly moves to the injured foot. "Can you take a pedal pulse please?" he asks of Alicia. While he waits for his colleague, his brain catches up and his head shoots back to his patient. "Sorry, Professor Lockford, did you say? You- you didn't write a paper, did you? It, um, focused on degenerative diseases."

"Yes," she says, "as it happens, I did."

He gawps. "That was you?!" Out of all the reading he did following his diagnosis, the progress of her team gave him the greatest hope. "Three years research, wasn't it? Very impressive work, fascinating concept."

"Pulse is weak," Alicia interrupts, "and her foot feels cold."

"So do you have a particular interest in neuro-degenerative diseases?" Professor Lockford asks.

Ethan almost smiles. Here she is, trapped and in pain, and she still wants to talk about her research. He knew from her enthusiastic prose that he could trust her. Still, he can't say the words out loud while remaining composed; his discussion with Cal was testament of that. "Just an insomniac who reads medical journals all night," he lies.

"Ethan," Alicia prompts.

"Okay, yes. Professor, are you allergic to any medication?"

"No."

"And are you on any meds at the moment?"

She shakes her head.

"Okay, great. We're going to give you some more analgesia first so you can't feel anything and then we'll get you moved out of here."

As Alicia passes him the syringe he feels her eyes bearing into his. He hopes she hadn't read further into his interest in degenerative diseases than he wants. But before he can say anything to deter her curiosity, dust rains down on them. He squints up and is relieved to see it was nothing more than a small crumbling of ground. The noise as it hit his helmet had sounded much worse than it was. Even so, it refocuses him and he's determined to get his patient, his professor, to safety.

"I'm going to hold her leg steady," he tells Alicia, "and you can reduce the fracture."

"Me?" There's a wobble in Alicia's voice. "No, no way, I can't-"

"Yeah you," he interrupts. "You can do it, it's fine." He looks her straight in the eye. "Alicia, we have to or she could lose her leg."

He barely has time to acknowledge the fear in his own voice before he's back there at the site of the helicopter crash, his brother sprawled in front of him, unconscious and unresponsive as Lily severed his leg. His heart hammers in his ears. He can't put someone else through the same torment his brother has gone through over the past few weeks.

This time it's Alicia who gives the encouraging nod. "Okay," she says. "Talk me through it."

Ethan's still frozen in his memories; the whiteness of Cal's face, the twisted redness of his mangled leg, the noise of his splintering bone, the sheer fear that he was about to lose his brother. He lets out a gasp as if someone has punched him in the stomach.

"Ethan?"

Alicia's voice guides him to face her and he focuses, taking several deep breaths and reminding himself of the job in hand. "Right," he says. "Okay."

He watches carefully as Alicia takes hold of their patient's foot and gently begins to rotate it. He'd have no doubts if they were in a hospital environment but he knows they're all on edge and he won't allow himself to breathe easily until the procedure is complete. He thinks she's doing well until the professor screams in pain and Alicia lets go of the foot, her body sagging as she looks up at him helplessly.

"Carry on," he encourages her. "You're doing well." He waits until she relaxes back into her role as a doctor before turning to their patient. "Professor, this will be sore, I'm afraid, but it will feel much better as soon as it's relocated."

Before anyone can continue, they're hit by a second bout of falling rubble and forced to cower until it subsides. The lumps of dirt don't hurt but it gives him a taster of what it will feel like if the whole cave collapses down on them and by the time it stops, he's light-headed with fear. From the shocked silence, he suspects they're all feeling as vulnerable.

"Do it," the professor says suddenly.

"Sure?"

She nods.

Alicia's hands are shaky and yet she takes hold of the ankle much more assertively that she had first time. Ethan can tell that she's gradually increasing traction by the position of her shoulders and, despite a few seconds of grunting, the leg jerks back into place with a loud click.

"Well done," he says, his words intended for both women. "Right. I think it's time we get ourselves above ground, don't you?"

They strap their patient to the back board and attach the wires that will lift her to safety. It's something neither of them have done before and Ethan feels much less confident securing her then he would carrying out most medical procedures. When he's checked and double checked the fasteners, he gives the word and the rescue team start to hoist her.

He and Alicia steady her as she's lifted but the movements seem to further unsettle the cave walls and they're showered with falling mud and stones. He holds his breath and hopes that it'll remain nothing more than the previous disturbances but Alicia cries out in pain. His head shoots up, ignoring the grit that slips between his glasses and his eyes, and can just about make out a tear in her uniform sleeve.

He can't reach her until their patient is pulled high enough and by that point, all it takes is another downpour of earth and she falls to the floor.

"Are you alright?" he asks, rushing to her side. "Are you hurt?"

She shakes her head but her face is creased and he doesn't believe her. He places a trembling hand on her shoulder and wishes he was able to tell her honestly that everything will be okay.

"I need to get you out of there pronto," Jez yells from above.

Ethan nods to no-one. He knows Jez is right, but he also knows from Alicia's heaving shoulders and shallow breaths that she's in no fit state of mind to be going anywhere anytime soon.

"I can't do this again," she says, breathlessly. "I can't!"

A solitary tear trickles down her face.

Cal lets out a noise of frustration and jabs viciously at the remote. The television falls silent. It had been the third film he'd started and given up on since Ethan left him after lunch. Nothing is engaging him. All he can concentrate on his the boredom in his veins. He wishes he had his brother there to annoy.

Ethan had made sure he was surrounded by anything he could possibly need but Cal didn't want biscuits and he certainly didn't want a book of Sudokus. He toys with his phone, wondering whether a five minute conversation with his brother could alleviate his boredom. But he'd started the day determined to prove he could manage by himself, and he thinks he should only cave for an actual crisis or possibly if he drains his flask of coffee.

He's started to notice things about their lounge that have never occurred to him before like how the television buzzes even when it's turned off and how that stain he'd left to the right of the light switch looks a little like a silhouette of a curvaceous woman. He'd never had a strong opinion of the room before but now he's spent two weeks trapped within the four walls, he's beginning to detest it. It's modern, comfortable and has a much better colour scheme since he and Ethan redecorated, but if someone gave him a hammer and two legs to stand on, he would willingly drive the weapon into the wall. He sighs. The clock ticks loudly all the way from the kitchen. He throws his head back in exasperation and his gaze falls on the high pile of books Mrs Beauchamp left on their dining table.

He's never been a fan of essay writing and particularly not essay writing when it was extra-credit rather than mandatory. But curiosity gets the better of him. He hops over to the table, ignoring Ethan's instructions to stick to crutches, and selects the book at the top of the pile. It's a thick, glossy, new-edition and he pulls a face at the small print of the writing. There's not a chance he's reading every word of that. The second book is a compilation of various trial write-ups and looks marginally more accessible, if only for the summaries at the top of each section. The third, fourth and fifth book remain untouched. He rolls his eyes at himself but opens the laptop that Ethan had thoughtfully left on the table and scans through the email Connie sent him with a detailed synopsis of the research topic.

He shakes his head, slumps back in the chair, and considers how the phone call might go when he tells her he's had second thoughts about completing the project. Surprisingly, he's less concerned about Connie's scathing reaction than how he may feel if he regrets turning it down. He opens a black Word document, types the heading, then immediately closes the file down without saving it. He exhales through his nose. He opts for the book at the bottom of the stack this time and opens it at random. The picture hooks him in but as he begins to read, the aching monotony in his brain starts to drift away.

He shuffles in his seat and settles down for an afternoon reading.

Ethan flinches as another torrent of dirt rains down on them. Small pebbles ricochet off his helmet. He breaths in deeply through his nose, determined that one of them will remain calm, and turns to face Alicia.

"I know you're scared," he says, placing a hand on her shoulder. "And I know why. It get it, honestly. But we have to go. Now! Please!" She makes no sign of having absorbed his words. He edges closer. Even in the dingy light he can see the mascara stains on her cheeks. "Alicia," he says. "Alicia, look at me." Again, he's back there with Cal in the hospital, talking his brother down from a panic attack, but he perseveres, gently stroking her cheek. "Just breathe in…" he says. She finally meets his eyes and takes a gulping breath. "…and out." He keeps his hands on her while she gradually calms. That's it, in… and out… well done, well done."

He makes the most of Alicia looking away to dab at her eyes to send a fervent glace to the hole in the earth, many feet above them. He can just about make out the outline of the paramedics and rescue team. The bright light of daylight hurts his eyes but it's a million times preferable to the oppressive cave. He turns back to Alicia and attempts an encouraging smile. "We need to stand up," he tells her.

"I can't!"

"You can, you can, hold on to me."

She grabs his shoulders and he wastes no time helping her to her feet. She's still crying but she's much calmer now, taking such visible breaths he can almost hear her counting them out loud.

They attach themselves to the wire and as they're winched up, her body comes to rest on his. He can feel her trembling but in the cold of the cave, it's welcome to have the heat of another person keeping him warm. She tightens her grasp on him and he does the same. He's struggled with heights since Cal left him stranded up a tree when they were kids and the fact his only safety net is a thin cable does nothing to ease his fears.

And then the line hitches and they're left swaying in mid-air. Ethan risks a look upwards but there's no obvious reason for the delay. When he lowers his head, he's surprised by how much closer Alicia seems. At first he wonders if he's imagining it but then her hand gently traces his back and she leans into his chest, her eyes never leaving his. There's something in her gaze that he can't interpret but whatever it is encourages him to inch nearer, tilting his head to the side so their helmets don't clash. They're so close he can almost taste her. But then they're thrown by a violent jerk of the wire and the winch starts moving again. He exhales deeply and her hand falls from his back.

At ground level, strong arms pull them from the hole. Jez is grinning like an idiot but Ethan focuses on him rather than permitting the eye contact Alicia is trying to make. He swallows. He tells himself it's for the best the kiss didn't happen; he can't allow a distraction from caring for Cal.

He and Alicia travel separately back to the hospital and, while he wants to ensure she's okay, he's glad for the respite so he has a chance to let his heartrate return to normal.

When he seeks her out in cubicles, her arm has been bandaged and she's waiting for a tetanus shot. He hovers awkwardly by the end of her bed, unsure whether he can stop worrying now she's confirmed the cut on her arm is nothing more than a scratch.

"Listen, thank you for helping me in the cave," she says. "I swear I'd still be down there if it wasn't for you."

"Oh, it was nothing. You helped me too. Her leg… well, it reminded me of-"

"Of Cal." She completes the sentence for him. "I know, I saw it on your face. You went dead pale, you know."

Ethan feels his cheeks burn and bows his head, hoping she doesn't notice. "Um, well, you saved her leg anyway, so."

"We saved her leg." She smiles. "I reckon we make a good team."

Ethan gives a shy smile in return. "Yes. Looks like we do."

"So…" Alicia says, eyebrows high. "That drink? You're not going to leave me hanging twice are you? Let's face it, after a shift like that, I think we deserve one."

The warm buzz in Ethan's chest drops to the pit of his stomach. "I-" he stammers. "I- I can't. Not tonight, I'm sorry."

"Oh. Oh, fine. No worries," Alicia says, but the grin has disappeared from her face. "Another time then."

"Yeah. Yeah, definitely." He pauses. "It's not- I do want to. It's just-"

"Cal," Alicia finishes again.

"It's my first day away from him. He's not all that independent yet," Ethan explains. "Even the basics, cooking, carrying, it's much harder on crutches. I want to be there for him and- and being out in the evening as well as all day, it just isn't fair on him."

"It's okay, I understand." Alicia places her hand on top of his. "You're a good brother to him, Ethan."

"Well, I nearly lost the chance to be." He finishes his sentence but his lips remain slightly parted as he fights the prickling in his eyes. "I, um, I should get back to work. I'm glad everything's okay… your arm and, um, you."

She nods. "I'll be back too as soon as Lily lets me."

Ethan heads straight for the professor. She's still in Resus but she's stable and her family are by her side. He listens from a distance as they argue over her culpability for the accident, about whether it's time for her to put family ahead of her career.

When he finally gets a chance to talk to her, her eyes light up and she thanks him for showing an interest in her work. While he monitors her condition she tells him about her appeal for research funding and how, if she gets it, she'll be one step closer to finding a cure for all kinds of gene degenerations. When the word Huntington's is mentioned as one of the diseases she's hoping to cure, Ethan's sure his heart skips a beat. And it's less than half an hour later that she takes the phone call confirming she's been granted the funding that could help save his life.

"Sorry to eavesdrop," he says, his chest pounding. "But it sounds like congratulations are in order?"

"First time I've secured two million dollars dressed as stylishly as this," she replies, looking down at her hospital gown.

He studies her face but she doesn't smile and her eyes are void of the sparkle he saw while she was explaining her research. "You don't seem altogether pleased."

She slumps back into the pillows. "Burning the candle at both ends… taking medication I bought online… ending up in here," she muses. "It's not my smartest move."

"No," he agrees.

"Don't worry, lessen truly learnt."

"I'm glad." He takes a breath. "So. When do you go?"

"They're expecting me as soon as this is healed. Six months of freezing my butt off in Baltimore!" She pauses. "And six months of talking to my son by phone, not being able to hug him, or give him his Christmas and birthday presents, or- or help him through his exams." Her voice breaks and she wipes a hand across her eyes. "But I can't say no to this," she whimpers, "it would be so selfish!"

Although a hollowness is threatening to envelop Ethan's chest, he shakes his head. If there's one thing he's learnt over the last few weeks it's that nothing matters more than family. "No, no it wouldn't," he says gently. "You have to do what is right for you and your son."

She stares at him with eyes flooded with tears. Second pass and Ethan feels his body weaken as his hopes for a healthy future drift away.

"Sorry," she eventually says. "Looks like you'll have to find someone else's fascinating papers to cure your insomnia."

He's not sure how he manages it, but he lets a faked chuckle escape his lips.

Cal jumps at the sound of the front door closing. He slams the textbook shut and minimises the Word document before Ethan makes it as far as the lounge. "What are you doing home?" he demands of his brother.

"Um, it's half past 6, I've finished for the day." Ethan pulls a face. "What did you think?"

Cal double checks the time on his phone and frowns. The last few hours have passed in an instant. "Lost track of the time, that's all" he says.

Ethan nods towards the pile of books. "Been doing that project?"

"Uh, not really," Cal lies. He thinks about the pages of notes he's typed and how Ethan will more than likely want to read over and correct his grammar. "Just seeing where to place it on a scale of awfulness."

"And did you reach a conclusion?"

Oh, easily a 9.5," Cal says. "Don't suppose you fancy doing it and letting me take the credit?"

"Mrs Beauchamp will be able to tell. We have completely different writing styles."

"I'm sure you could imitate me," Cal says, secretly glad his brother didn't agree.

"And give myself a headache by rocketing from one point to another without explanation? No thanks."

"You can make yourself useful elsewhere then, Nibbles. I'm starving."

"Me too," Ethan says. "Shall we order in?"

At the rarity of his brother being the one to suggest getting a takeaway, Cal scrutinises his appearance. Ethan's smiling but tell-tale wrinkles in the corner of his eyes expose his tiredness.

"Busy day?"

"Um, no more than normal," Ethan replies, but Cal can tell he's forcing energy he doesn't have.

"Sit down," he tells his brother. "Even I can phone for a pizza, you know."