‘She was very agitated in our session on Friday. She literally ran off before the end of the session, and begged me to meet her outside the therapy room. I explained why that isn’t possible, of course. Then she called me late on Sunday evening, but she said nothing. I figured she needed to know I was there so I stayed on the line until it went dead. On Monday I tried to return her call, but it went straight to voicemail. I then emailed her offering extra sessions this week, but she hasn’t responded. I felt worried over the weekend. It was as if I couldn’t stop thinking about her; it was so out of character for her to behave like that. She’s usually quite composed, though in the last year she has increasingly been showing emotions in our sessions, like she is able to connect with them more. I emailed her GP yesterday, saying I felt concerned and that we may need to consider getting Leah some extra support. She’s been a self-harmer for years, though nothing very serious. As you know, she’s spoken of suicide quite a bit, though more in terms of compulsive thoughts than actual intent.’

‘Did she speak of suicide or self-harm on Friday?’

‘No. She did say she needed to tell me something, several times. But then she didn’t. She asked me to come to her cabin and even gave me a key to it. She seemed very out of it, not at all like herself. Also, her face was bruised but she refused to say what had happened.’

‘Yes, it sounds like she was experiencing something very distressing. What did the GP say?’

Again I open my mouth but no sound will come. Tears gather in my eyes, then roll down my face.

‘He said he agrees about providing extra support for Leah. And he asked if I was aware of the fact that she’s pregnant.’

‘I see. And were you?’

‘No. She hasn’t told me.’

‘That must be difficult to understand.’

‘Well, I know that she isn’t obliged to tell me anything at all and that it’s not right of me to expect that of her. It’s just, this came out of left field and I suppose it triggers my own experiences.’

‘Yes.’