Louisa's concentration is constantly being disrupted by the distant hum of the metropolis outside.

Her painstakingly prepared slides for the following day's pitch shines on her laptop screen.

Her brow furrows as she sits at her dining table, tapping her pen on the wooden surface while clicking through bullet points.

Except for the occasional rumbling of a passing car, the flat is abnormally quiet.

Louisa has a rare opportunity to focus without interruption because Liam is out with his babysitter, Bem.

Hearing a knock at the door, Louisa checks the time; it is 5:47 p.m.

She let out a sigh and lowered her shoulders.

Fred frequently drops by without warning,...