Flora closed her eyes and followed Mack’s instructions. “I don’t have to come back if I don’t like her?”

“You can do whatever you want. You’re in charge.”

Flora nodded. “Let’s get it over with, then.”

They walked up the stairs and Mack pressed the door buzzer.

“Yes?”

“Ms. Buchanan to see Dr. Carrson.”

“Come in.”

Mack led them up a short set of stairs, through a door, and into a traditional-looking waiting area. Polished wood and wooden panels made up the decor, interspersed with some paintings.

The reception desk was over in the right hand corner of the room, while three doors at least led off from this main reception.

“Ms. Buchanan?” the receptionist said.

“Yes, this is Flora Buchanan,” Mack answered.

“I’m Mrs. Woods. Dr. Carrson won’t be long. In the meantime”—Mrs. Woods brought over a clipboard and pen—“could I get you to fill out the new patient form?”

Flora took it and nodded. They sat down, and Mack said, “You’re doing great.”

Flora looked terrified, but Mack was pleased to have got this far. She really hoped this first doctor would suit her, because she didn’t want her to give up after just one try. It wouldn’t matter to Mack if Flora never got help, as long as she was happy, because she loved all the differences that made Flora special. But she knew it was causing Flora distress that she couldn’t live a so-called normal life.

Mrs. Woods’s phone buzzed. She answered it and then said, “Ms. Buchanan? Dr. Carrson will see you now.”

Flora looked at her with terror in her eyes.

Mack took the clipboard from her and smiled. “I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

Flora got up without saying a word and walked into the doctor’s consulting room.

She was a lot braver than she knew.

Mack’s stomach twisted with nerves on Flora’s behalf. She wished she could be in there giving her strength.

She thought back to what her mum and aunt had said to her. No woman had ever made her feel these emotions. Flora was her first thought when she woke up in the morning, and her last thought at night. She was falling head over heels for her.

* * *

Flora was shaking inside. She hated every part of this—meeting someone new, talking, talking about herself, frightened she’d make a fool of herself. As Flora shut the door, Dr. Carrson was on her feet and coming over to meet her.

“Flora, it’s lovely to meet you. Come in and sit down.”

“Hi,” Flora said softly. Her urge to practice her ritual was strong. She had no choice but to do it, but she tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible.