Flora allowed herself to be led out into the shop, then outside. She barely heard Sandra say goodbye. Sandra’s cousin was helping out in the shop today to let Flora make her appointment, and Mack’s mum was looking after Dexter.

Mack held open the door of the black cab, and she climbed in. Mack followed suit and said to the driver, “Bath Street, mate.”

“Aye, right away.”

Mack had gotten Flora into the taxi—that was the first step for today. Ever since Mack had phoned for the appointment, Flora had been so tense and worried, and as she looked at her now, staring ahead and so quiet, she knew it wasn’t getting any easier for Flora.

“It’ll be okay, Flo. I’m here.”

Flora didn’t look around. She just grasped Mack’s hand tighter, as if trying to share some of Mack’s strength, and that’s what she wanted Flora to feel. Mack had more than enough confidence and strength for both of them.

When she’d visited her mum and Aunt Chrissy yesterday, Chrissy had asked, “Why are you going to such lengths to help this woman, Mack?”

Mack had answered as honestly as she could. “Because she’s kind, brave, has had to deal with so much shit in her life alone, and she has no idea how beautiful she is.”

Her mum and Chrissy had looked at each other with surprise, before her mum said, “We’d like to meet this special woman.”

Mack would love to introduce Flo to her family, but that would be too much for Flora at the moment. The Sharkeys were a loud, different kind of family. Maybe soon, and maybe if she could start small.

It wasn’t far to the clinic they were visiting. It was a small practice in one of the nicer parts of Glasgow’s town centre. They turned into Bath Street, and the driver pulled into a space in front of a Victorian building.

“That us, Flo.”

Flo looked at her with terror in her eyes.

“It’s okay.” Mack took out her wallet and said, “How much, mate?”

“On the house, Ms. Sharkey.”

Mack knew it was around a five-pound fare, so she held up a ten-pound note. “Nah, no freebies, thanks, though. Keep the change.”

The driver took the money reluctantly. “Thanks.”

Mack got out and held out her hand to Flora. She had squeezed herself into the furthest point of the taxi seat and was almost trying to melt into the door.

“Come on, just give it one chance?”

After a few seconds, Flora started to move and got out of the taxi, holding tightly to Mack’s hand. When Mack tried to lead her up the stairs, Flora stopped.

“Give me a minute. I feel like I can’t breathe.”

“Okay, okay.” Mack took both of her hands and said, “Breathe deeply. In and out.”