I pick up my bag and wander across the street to collect my shoes, looking up at my apartment with cold emptiness. I’m numb, my feet ache, and tears stream down my face. I wander slowly into the building, letting myself in and getting up to my floor via the stairs. It’s deathly silent, around two am or thereabouts, and I try not to make too much noise that will disturb my neighbors.

I only sat on the cold sidewalk for a minute or so before self-preservation kicked in. My numbness ...