Nova hasn't hooked up much in Darrow, had people stay over even less. It's equal parts startling and amusing to pick up the scent of his own shower gel as it carries on the rising steam. Grinning to himself, he enjoys the image for half a second, and then pushes it away. Alex seems like the kind of person to spot it on him.

"Coffee's there," he says. It's a tiny cup of sugary, bitter cafécito. His own cup is half drained and topped up from the open can of condensed milk between them.