Josh tries opening his eyes again. This time his vision holds instead of spiralling into sparks. He still regrets the move because now that his sight is online, feeling rushes in and he hurts.

From toenails to tips of his hair, every atom of his being aches. It's as though some ditzy spirit took him out of his body to shake off the dust only to stuff him the wrong way round back into his skin.

"Congratulations. You're unicorn proof."

Josh risks blinking and dares to roll his loose head right.

Random shapes solidify and become Kelly sitting in the big easy chair before a wall of windows. The glass panels are ajar, inviting the morning air to rush in over the lavender hedges and lift the hems of wedding-veil white drapes.

Lavender for calm ... it might be working too well.

Josh's lips prove capable of movement but his brain is slow. The words are out before he knows it. "Am I Scarlet proof?"

Kelly chokes on a segment of tangelo. "There it is, more evidence that you are not normal." He shifts the plate of fruit and waxy peel from his lap to the hardwood floor. "Most people would go for the classic where am I, what happened option."

Josh crushes a fistful of the moth-wing soft chenille blanket covering him. He knows where he is, the chocolate room in Scarlet's mansion. The octagonal salon is an indulgent room full of lavish sensibilities and rich textures from the dark chocolate leather couches, mocha wing chairs, glossy timber and creamy walls, with a hint of chilli hot chocolate in the rug. Even the blanket snuggling round him is the smoky shade of supermarket-quality chocolate with an after best-by-date bloom.

As for what happened...

The placid lake of memory roils as something stirs beneath. Shining shapes emerge, terrifying in their brightness, a threat to the psychological bandaid that's holding the pieces together. Josh's heart rate ratchets. His oesophageus swells as he drags air into his lungs only to choke, cough, and the pain of that jarring movement ... well, it's proof that everything's intact.