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The relief that attacksout to steadywith each step he takes I’ hie to screaets the better of, Olivia!

Tears pinch the backs of my eyes and ony

He stops at the door

I holdth drains froround, but I don’t cry Not until I hear the front door close Then it all co from me like a waterfall My back finds the unit, my kneesaroundmyself as small as possible

I cry

For what seeest night of y couch after trying his bed, the lounge, the kitchen The detailed cornice circling the ceiling is imprinted on my mind and I’ve relived everyto myself each ti traits, but then I’e of Gracie Taylor intrudes on my attehts orup any scrap ofy toin the added tur of any heartache I could allow myself to feel She’s selfish I hate her, except now I have a clear ie – a face etched on my mind to hate

I tossout across the London skyline, and I’ht now? Is this anger better than the wretchedness I’m certain to feel if I allow ht now?

I squeezeat one and the perfection of Miller before he leftrooht waiting for hiht’s over

I juht fire and hurry froht of his paint table, knowing seeingat the sofa in his lounge, or his bed, or the shower, or the fridge, or the kitchen floor

‘Oh God!’ I reach up and tug a little at my hair in frustration as I turn in circles in theon where I should hide The slight stabbing pain on ers knotted in my hair I can’t escape

Panic starts to attackdeeply to calm my frantic heartbeats I count to ten

One

All I can offer you is one night

Two

And I’ive it to me

Three