As the warm water falls over my skin, washing away the cold of the early morning, I feel my body unclench. My head drops down so my chin rests against my chest, stretching my muscles as the warm water makes them more pliable. It’s instant relief, but I know once the shower turns off the lack of pain won’t last for long. Every bit of my skin pinks under the steaming water and I tip my blonde hair into the stream, washing it hastily, knowing that if I stay here much longer I won’t want to leave the comfort. As soon as I am towelled off I wrap myself in a dressing gown to go for the first attempt at waking my son.

“Jack bub, it’s time to wake up.” My voice is sweet but it doesn’t rouse a flicker from him. He hums back at me in affirmation but I know him well enough to know he didn’t hear me. I walk into his room and push the curtains back to bring some of the morning light into the pale blue space, but apart from a small whine Jack doesn’t make any moves to wake up.

Leaving him for a few more minutes, I wander back into my bedroom, throwing on my clothes for the day. Being the owner of my own florist means I can wear pretty much anything. I’m never going to turn up in a mini dress and heels, but as long as I can stretch to high shelves and bend down to low ones without flashing my underwear, anything is acceptable. I settle on a pair of black leggings and a large jumper that gives me room to move but will keep me warm in the wintery Seattle weather. Lyndsey always looks so put together. Her ginger hair is always perfectly curled and her clothes look so classy even on a budget; even if she were wearing leggings and a jumper I am sure she would find a way to make it look elevated in a way I can’t.

When I first interviewed her, I thought we wouldn’t click. She looked so well-established, all while being four years younger than me. But she proved me wrong pretty quick. To be frank, behind the perfect clothes she is just as much of a mess as me, hence why we clicked. It brings some levity to a workday to share stories of her crazy dating life and my life being a single mum. She has never judged me on my limitations and I don’t think my life would run as smoothly as it does if I hadn’t found her.