Maurice's strained, hopeful grin deflated as Heather crumpled into an unhappy fluffy ball. The vampire dropped the remote on the floor. No, this wasn't going to do. Suddenly, and fortunately, an instinct kicked in within Maurice.

Without hesitating, he strode forward and scooped Heather up under the arms before sitting down the sofa and placing her on his knee.

"It's gonna be okay."