I don’t give a damn abut Holst. [ His voice is dry, but genuine, as he gives her hair a light tug, still holding her gaze with his. ] As far as I’m concerned, he’s just Hilda’s big brother and other than mildly concerned he might try to punch me into next week if he ever learns I’ve had my hands - and my mouth - on his precious baby sister, he’s not important here.

[ He lets his hands slide down to cup to either side of her cheeks, his grip warm but gentle. ] No, sweetheart, I’m not going to be disappointed in you. Sad for you, yes, because I know how much you hurt and I want to do whatever I can to ease that ache. But I can’t fix this, sweet, this isn’t a wound I can heal for you.

But you’re wrong. You are brave. I understand being frightened to talk to him again, when it hurt so much the last time. But sweetheart, being brave doesn’t mean not being scared anymore. It just means you do what’s important even when you are scared of what will happen. And I think, even now, you know how important he is to you. I know how important you are to him, too. It’s why I want this so badly, for both of you. I’d even offer to come with you, if that would make it easier for you, if you needed a hand to hold, but I also don’t want to be in your way, or make it more uncomfortable.