"And instead... you're doing office work and watching the leaves change colour each year."

"Yeah. It's not very glamorous. But then real life isn't, I find. Time passes and you get more disillusioned with most of it. What about you, Charley?"

"Mm. Happy? No. Pretty content, all things considered, but not happy. Too much wreckage, too many hurts."

I touched her shoulder and she sighed.

"It's OK, though. I have a feeling things are getting better now," she added.

"I hope so. You deserve happiness."

"So do you."

"Meh," I shrugged. "I'm... okay for now."

"I'll get you sorted, don't you fret," she said.

"Uh huh. If I ever need...