"Wouldn't that be nice," Alain remarked with an acerbic kind of humour in his voice, shrugging one shoulder. Worry was probably the biggest constant in his life, the last few years. It was a side effect of spending too much time around Bert and Roland, he suspected. It had become almost a friend to him.

Which wasn't to say he didn't appreciate having someone to share the burden. And he was relieved that someone was going to find Bert, although he wouldn't say so; Bert hated to be pitied or worried over, but from Kaine, it might be different. There was hope. For those of them left, there was always hope.

"Jamie would have been amazed by this place," he said sleepily, his voice thick. "Those pills you gave me. And whatever was in the tea. He would have loved to know about them."

And that was the last thing he said. A couple of moments later, he was snoring, fast asleep.