The aquarium was so clean it was almost as if the glass was non-existent. An entire world she could control, could keep safe. Life never really changed in that little world.

“Are you excited?” Jemma asked her.

That question was easy to answer. “I really am.”

* * *

Cora had never worked anywhere but the hospital.

Of course, she had a typical teenage job history: babysitting and some retail. But as soon as she’d finished university, Cora had taken the Social Work position at the hospital and had stayed there. Now, in her new living room, surrounded by her books and with a new soft rug under her feet, the cursor of her laptop was staring at her.

Writing her resignation had been easy, far easier than she had imagined. It was staying that would be a nightmare, to continue working in close proximity to Alec. Why do that to herself? With Frazer gone, Cora had no reason to stay. Maybe if she’d had more friends, a circle of people she was close to, she would have considered staying. But there wasn’t one person she would truly miss there, no support network. This was something, she now knew, that had been Alec’s doing. He’d always kept her close, as if scared she’d disappear, instead of trusting her to stay. It had been smothering—and isolating.

She liked her job, but there were so many different jobs out there, finding a new one wouldn’t be difficult. Until she did, she had some savings. Luckily, she’d always kept a separate bank account—Alec had convinced her it was better for tax purposes.

Maybe she would go on a holiday abroad. See something new, get a new experience to enhance her life. She could go alone, be alone for the first time since far too long. Or she could do something she had always wanted to do. She’d overheard a conversation just the other day, and the idea had been prickling in the back of her mind since then.

The idea should have terrified her, but instead, Cora felt excitement bubbling under her skin. With a smile that was almost guilty, Cora sent the resignation to HR and bounced her leg up and down, staring around the spartan room.

Opportunity spread out before her, and Cora was almost breathless with it.

Since leaving Alec’s office that afternoon, this plan had taken form in her head. Using the hospital’s intranet, Cora found the number she needed. It was only a moment’s work to tap it into her mobile and bring the phone up to her ear. “Hey, Simon, it’s Cora, from Social Work. Sorry to call you after-hours.”

“Uh, hey, Cora, no worries. Everything okay?” He obviously had no idea why someone from a different department would call him at eight o’clock. Cora had never exactly spoken much to him either.