Here he was now. Her husband, hesitant by the lift doors, observing her from across the room. She lifted her chin and met his gaze straight on.

Tommy looked away first.

Paula smothered a smile.

How liberating it was, to release this power, leashed and controlled and… hidden for so long.

Paula remained seated. Eventually Tommy made his way over, weaving his way through the tables.

‘You all right?’ he asked as he reached her.

She watched him, standing awkwardly in front of her.

All their history there, in the small gap between them. She liked knowing someone so well. She liked that she still had the ability to surprise him. She liked that she had spoken up against him.

‘Do you want to go for a walk round the deck?’ he asked. He shuffled his feet. ‘It seems a bit milder.’

She felt a smile rise inside, but she didn’t allow it to show on her face.

Knowledge nestled in her gut, that if he were ever lost to her, she would be just fine.

He reached out a gloved hand, a nice gesture, so simple, yet it had been missing for quite some time.

She took his hand, let him haul her up. He stayed close as they walked to the elevators. Inside, she leaned forward and pressed the button for the top deck.

She felt movement at her back. A sudden warmth as Tommy removed his scarf and placed it around her neck.

‘It’s a bit milder, but still cold out there,’ he murmured.

She didn’t thank him. Instead, she nodded, touched the woollen scarf and raised her chin.

Her thoughts were elsewhere now, on what came next, on where to go now, on herself for maybe the first time since she’d escaped her childhood.

On her own future.

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