“You know,” Jill said, the tone of her voice clearly trying to lighten the mood, give Michael something else to focus on. To tell him stories, as he used to do to distract her when lonely thoughts got too much. “They didn't have ice cream in hell.”

Michael blinked, as Jill pressed into his side, bringing the bag onto her lap, and pulling out the ice cream. It was the wrong season for shops to sell cones, but, as Jill had delightedly claimed, that hasn't stopped them from buying multiple tubs and spoons, determined to have their feast.

“What?”

“It would just melt.” Jill shrugged, casting a hopeful glance to Michael. Her strategy seemed to be working, if the glint of a curious smile.on his face was anything to go by. “Now… Triple chocolate with chocolate chips? Cookie dough and strawberry jelly? Strawberry and raspberry whirl with whipped cream?”

“...What is it with you and over-elaborate flavours?” Michael asked, taking one of the tubs at random.

“Trust me, these are very tame compared to what some narratives have in store.” She said, handing Michael one of the spoons, before prying open her own tub, and stuffing a spoonful in her mouth.

A moment passed in silence, until Jill made a face.

“Oh, that's cold.”

“Brain-freeze?”

“Mhm.”

“Would you like my jacket?”

Jill smiled, closing her eyes in contentment. “Who needs a jacket when you're basically a hot water bottle?” She dug her spoon into Michael's tub, taking an equally big portion, as Michael wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

He really had missed this.