She and Clark gave the still-sleeping Jon a goodnight kiss and then they waited until CK had changed back into his street clothes and pushed the stroller through the door. As soon as he was gone, Lois turned back to Dr Klein. “Okay, what’s the big mystery?”

“Sure. I’m a senior scientist at one of the country’s foremost research institutions – why shouldn’t I cope with step-by-step lessons on multiple identities?” he said.

“Another Lois Lane?” he said with a touch of incredulity. “Isn’t one enough?”

“Oh,” replied a deflated Klein.

“Dr Klein, can we get back to the point?” said Lois. “Nice though it is to be discussing your next vacation.”

“Okay, what’s the big mystery?”

Dr Klein’s gaze flickered between herself and Clark, then over to CK, and finally back to Lois again. “I don’t think I can tell you without discussing it with Clark first. Patient confidentially, you understand.”

“Oh.” Nonplussed, she glanced up at Clark. “But I’m his wife. We don’t have any secrets between us, do we honey?”

“No,” said Clark. “But...” He turned slowly to CK.

CK grimaced. “I can see I’m in the way here,” he observed dryly. “It’s okay,”