Before Jack can answer, Alfie speaks from beside me.
“Could I touch the dinosaurs?”
Bharine smiles at him immediately.
“I’m afraid not the real ones. They’re a bit too fragile.”
“Oh,” he says disappointed.
“But,” she adds, crouching slightly to his level, “we do have a family sleepover next month. Families can stay overnight in the museum.”
Alfie’s eyes widen.
“With the dinosaurs?”
“With the dinosaurs.”
“Like… actually sleep here?”
“Yes.”
He turns to Jack like he has just discovered something life-changing.
“Dad.”
Jack laughs. “I recognise that tone. That’s the beginning of a sales pitch.”
“Can Ava come?”
The question lands so simply it catches me completely off guard.
Jack looks at me.
I suddenly find the museum floor extremely interesting.
“Well,” he says slowly, “we’d have to see if Ava is brave enough to sleep next to a T-Rex.”
“I think I’d be more worried about sleeping next to someone who had six desserts,” I say.
Alfie grins. “They weresmall.”
Bharine laughs. “Enjoy the rest of your day. And do get in touch if you want that private tour.”
We thank her and continue outside.
Alfie walks close to me again, his shoulder occasionally bumping my arm like he wants to make sure I know I’m one of his safe spaces.
Jack falls into step beside me.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod.
“Yeah.”
I hesitate.
“That question just surprised me.”
