‘How’s the travel sickness today?’ asked Roman, casting a sideward glance towards Ella who thankfully wasn’t feeling queasy at all.

‘I’m actually doing okay. How are you doing today?’ Ella felt a tiny trickle of nerves as she glanced backwards at the others who were in deep conversation. This was the perfect opportunity to hand back the appointment card that was stored safely in her bag, but she had no clue how Roman was going to react.

‘Just the same as normal,’ he replied, looking out over the spectacular scenery.

‘Roman.’ She blew out a silent breath and he looked towards her.

‘Is everything okay?’ he asked.

‘I am, but are you?’ Ella reached into her bag and pulled out the card.

Immediately Roman’s smile disappeared. ‘Where did you get that?’ His voice was low, not wanting to draw any attention to himself.

‘I found it in the street, you must have dropped it. I saw you arguing with your daughter – Megan, is it?’

Roman stared, expressionless, at Ella, his face slightly reddened. ‘You’ve been doing your research, haven’t you?’ He didn’t look best pleased and Ella knew he had every right to be upset if he thought she’d gone delving into his business, but it wasn’t like that. She knew something was wrong and genuinely wanted to help.

‘What’s going on, Roman? This place is a rehab centre and my educated guess, judging by the way you conduct yourself, hold down your job and the fact that you are usually dressed immaculately, is that you haven’t got an addiction.’

Roman looked down at his creased shirt and quickly straightened his tie.

‘But something is going on, because you’ve been late for work, and today of all days you aren’t looking your usual self. Is there anything I can do to help?’ she asked tentatively, watching Roman slip the appointment card into his inside pocket without saying a word. ‘Is there something wrong, Roman?’

Roman nodded. ‘But I really can’t talk about it, I just can’t.’

‘Please let me help you,’ she continued. ‘If it wasn’t for Callie helping me when I was in a mess… Don’t struggle on your own. If you continue being late, what’s going to happen to your job?’

‘I never intended to be late this morning. I was up early but sometimes things are taken out of your hands.’

‘What things?’ probed Ella softly. ‘Everything is fixable, you only have to look at my life. It hasn’t at all been plain sailing, but I didn’t have to struggle by myself. I had a friend who cared, and you have friends who care.’

Roman looked like he was going to share something with her, but instead said, ‘No one can help me, I just can’t talk about it, Ella. Please just leave it.’