‘You’re not moving in together already?’

‘No, dafty,’ Sasha giggles. ‘He’s just helping me find a place. He and Matt are also going to hire a van and bring my stuff down from Glasgow to save me the removal costs.’

I beam at Matt. ‘That’s fantastic. I can’t believe you’re here. So, you lot have been plotting behind my back then.’

‘I’m not sure “plotting” is the right word.’ Matt leans over and kisses me. ‘We’ve definitely been up to nice things to make you happy. Right, Sash?’

‘Right. Oh, you guys are sooo cute together. I’m so glad you’re back together.’ She suddenly looks all dewy-eyed and emotional.

‘Stop it,’ I command. ‘No more crying. It’s banned. I’ve done enough of that to sink a ship these last few days.’

‘But they’re happy tears.’

‘Don’t care. Now can we go? Please.’

A chuckling Matt obediently releases the brake on the wheelchair and we set off together. As we head towards the ward exit, I glance into the patient rooms, seeing one poor soul after the next, lying alone, some of them talking to themselves or crying out in frustration or distress, and all I can think is that I hope it’s a really long time before I have to be back here again. And how lucky I am that after feeling so lost and alone just days before, I now have the most incredible boyfriend in the world and my best friend taking me home.

Chapter 34

After what feels like endless days cooped up in my apartment (although in reality, it’s just two weeks), I’m back on my feet and almost at ‘my normal’ again. My first day back in the office is a cold, crisp Thursday morning in early December, so I get an additional boost from the twinkly Christmas lights peeking out from residential windows.

As I walk, I can’t help smiling to myself. It’s not just the freedom and returning sense of independence that’s cheering me, I’m also so thankful for having Matt and Sasha in my life. They’ve rallied around me relentlessly over my recovery period, taking it in ‘shifts’, and they’ve been so discreet about it. Matt has played the role of human-sized hot water bottle perfectly, cuddling up to me and keeping me company on the evenings and weekends, while Sasha’s been out viewing apartments and having her ‘Sammy time’. Sasha has also whiled away the days with me, tempting me with chocolate, chatting dreamily about Sammy, and shouting at the TV during the more tense moments of the box sets we’ve enjoyed together.

Though I’m generally positive about my return to work, my stomach clenches anxiously as I enter Brindley Place and approach my office building. Despite Emmanuel’s reassurances, I’m still feeling apprehensive. It’s only been two weeks, but things have changed enormously now that my situation is out in the open. It’s possibly not helping that it reminds me of when I went back to my old job in Glasgow.