*Ellie's POV*

The knock comes again, more insistent this time.

"Come in," I call out, trying to smooth down my hair.

The door opens to reveal Claire, the waitress from the coffee shop. She's holding a small bouquet of wildflowers, her brown hair neatly braided and her blue eyes bright with concern.

"I hope I'm not bothering you," she says quietly, hovering near the doorway. "I just wanted to see how you were ...