When someone knocked on the kitchen door, I spit out my mouthful of corn flakes. A little edgy, Syd? I wiped up the early morning mess quickly before rushing to see who it was.

Blood's smiling face looked back at me through the glass. I jerked the door wide, gaping at him.

"Syd," he said in his slow drawl. "Yo."

Why did the sight of him standing there make me want to burst into tears?

"Hey, Blood." Only then did I remember I was in my T-shirt and pajama ...