Sun Mote Copse The end of Troy.

Her reassurances worked on him, and Phox took them at face value. Whatever happened, he knew Towhee would be there for him, and he would be there for her. Yes, he was getting sentimental. It's fine! -I already chatted with the kids about it. Not about Niamh specifically, but in general. They both seemed fine with it.- Because of course, the kids came first. They always would.

Phox felt the telltale dull pressure coming in behind his blind eye, and he knew he'd have to get to—had Niamh called it "The Nest"?—soon. Darkness and quiet was what he needed now. -I'll catch you later, Towhee. Have fun banging it out with Pip!- He did wonder if her infertility was just a last-year thing. Maybe her body hadn't been ready. Maybe she hadn't been eating enough. But he wasn't about to put false hopes into her head.