MAXINE

A bit of the morning sun got into my room through the small window as I dressed. I hadn’t slept well. I’d tossed and turned, and I'd dreamt that something terrible had happened to Ella and I couldn't help her.

I repeated yesterday’s short reunion with Ella in my mind. She seemed fine, she was okay. Nothing was going to happen to her. Then, I replayed my conversation with Ronan.

I kept replaying everything in my head. What I had said and how he’d reacted. He had felt so ...