Using every last bit of willpower, she heaved herself up from her seat and shuffled past Lisa who tried to grab her hand and slur something incomprehensible. Then she was out of the door, the air hitting her like an open palm. She wasn’t sure if it was alcohol or exhaustion that made her steps wobble.

Of course, back at home, after a bath and a ready meal, she was wide awake. This state continued until early the next morning, and, at some point during one of those red-eyed hours, she looked once more at the notifications on her phone, emboldened by the wine still fizzing in her blood.

Morpheus. Dream your way to a better you – one sleep at a time.

She clicked on it.

Chapter 3

‘Well, it’s probably a cult, isn’t it, darling?’

It was a week after Thea’s unsuccessful trip to the pub and her mother was eating haloumi salad, her silk scarf nearly trailing in the food. Luckily, you had to get really close to see that the scarf was printed with tiny little vaginas.

‘You’ll get there and then, give it a few weeks, you’ll be having orgies and giving blow jobs. Constantly. Mark my words. Cult.’

Sometimes Thea wished she didn’t have a mother who said things like “orgies” and “blow jobs” in the middle of a crowded restaurant where the tables were so close you could practically breathe on someone else’s food.

‘A cult might be good for you.’ Vivian speared an asparagus tip thoughtfully. ‘More sex.’

Thea could feel her face burning. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could stand.

Vivian lowered her voice to a dramatic stage whisper, but couldn’t hide the glint in her eyes: ‘I think I have more sex than you!’

She probably did. Thea had to admit it.

‘Mum! I swear I will leave if you carry on!’ Thea tried to keep her voice stern as Vivian smiled at the few furtive glances she was getting, like a queen amongst her courtiers.

‘Sorry, teapot. Can’t help myself. Winding you up is too much fun. Will be good.’

Thea hated being called “teapot” too. Her mother had started it when she was little because, ‘You had such a sweet little rounded tummy and these skinny arms and legs.’ Vivian thought it cute. Thea disagreed.

‘Right. It’s not a cult. It’s a trial for a new sleep app and they’ll pay for me to be a part of it. All I have to do is apply for an interview. Thing is, it’ll last for six weeks, and obviously the office won’t give me leave for that long so’ – Thea momentarily found her ham panini fascinating – ‘umm … if I’m accepted, I’ll just leave my job.’