‘I can see you’re upset, Nicole,’ the social worker says. ‘I tell you what: I’m going to go and get us all a nice cup of tea. While I’m doing that, you two have a chat about the way forward.’ She hands Lena a little stack of pamphlets from her desk. ‘Some more ideas there. I’ll be back to talk through some solutions.’

Nic waits until the clicking of those ridiculous shoes has faded into the hallway. ‘Lena, please. Get me out of here before she comes back. I can’t take it.’

‘I really think—’

‘At least move your bloody chair so I can get myself out. I’m done with this conversation.’ She rolls herself as far back as she can, rams the wall, not entirely by accident.

Lena squeezes her arm, not hard, but enough to still her. ‘Nic, they won’t let you leave until we sort this. Even if your place wasn’t … No matter what it’s like, you can’t be on your own right now. I know this sucks, but it’s just how it is. Let the doctors take care of you here a bit longer. While you’re getting better, I’ll organise the cleaners so the social worker will get off your back.’

‘No! I don’t want anyone in my house. I can’t stand the thought, Lena. Please. Please. Don’t let them get bloody cleaners in. I’ve seen those TV shows. I know how it goes. All my stuff’ll be piled up on the front lawn for the neighbours to gawk at.’ The tears are coming and sweat is tormenting the cut on her forehead and she is trapped—actually trapped—in this grim little office. ‘Just kill me now if you’re going to let them do that to me.’

‘Okay. Okay.’ Lena sighs, rubs her eyes. ‘Let me do it then. No cleaners, nothing on the front lawn. Just me making sure there’s enough clear floor space for you to get around safely.’

She has let things get out of hand. She realises that. But to have Lena clean up after her is too much. It’s supposed to be Nic helping her, sorting out her blips and stumbles.

‘I could stay there for a bit while I’m tidying. I need a break from the res hall anyway. It’s driving me nuts.’

The morphine is wearing off. Her spine reverting to molten steel. The pain will become too much very soon.

‘It’s the best way forward. Seriously.’

Lena back at the house. Maybe it won’t be so bad. It’s her house, too, Nic has always said. Both the kids and Michelle. How had she let herself forget that? It was Mum’s house, meant for them all. Lena could make it good again, the family home.