It had gotten worse after she complained to the management company. The men sensed her vulnerability. Their shouts and laughter brought on a panic attack. She threw her knife in the sink, left the vegetables where they were, and hurried through to her bedroom.

She got her earphones and put on her calming YouTube videos and jumped under her duvet. In her mind Flora played through the night she was attacked, while trying to find comfort in the safety of her small cocoon.

The face of the woman in her shop—Mack—and her sweet little dog kept circling around her mind. When that small sausage dog ran into her shop, it made her laugh out loud, which wasn’t a common occurrence. She didn’t know his name, but he was so friendly, giving her kisses, without even knowing who she was. Then she walked in.

Flora came out from under her quilt and sat up against the headboard. The earphones kept away the sounds of upstairs. Her thoughts about her new neighbour made the panic attack ease. Flora was desperate to know more, to find out who this Mack was, while knowing that she never would have the courage to talk to her.

But what if she talks to you?

Every day, she was going to be next door, walking past the shop, on her way to and from work. Mack was going to talk to Flora again, and if she did, Mack would no doubt talk about the last time they met.

“I can’t. I just can’t.”

* * *

Dexter lay on his back, paws in the air, sleeping and content with a full belly. He was happy after demolishing the bowl of fresh chicken, vegetables, and brown rice that his grandma made for him and sent Mack home with a week’s supply.

Mack sat on her couch beside him, watching TV, and was just about dig into an Indian meal she had delivered. The taste of a real Indian curry was one thing Mack fantasized about in prison, and now she was close to overdosing on them.

She tickled Dexter’s tummy, then picked up her bowl of curry. She took a bite. “Hmm, so fucking good.”

A mindless game show played on the TV in Mack’s modern apartment building, sitting on the River Clyde, which ran through the city of Glasgow.

Just then she was interrupted by a video call. It was Nikki. She accepted the call and saw Nikki with Isla beside her on the couch.

“Hi, Mack,” Isy said.

“Hiya, wee barra,” Mack said.

Dexter was suddenly awake at the sound of Isla’s voice and poked his nose on the screen.

“It’s your favourite girl, Dex,” Mack said.

Isla waved and smiled brightly. “Hi, Dex. I miss you.”

Nikki rolled her eyes, and Mack smiled. Every one in their family was constantly trying to persuade Nikki to let Isla have a dog.