It was late evening now.

Bianca realised that she had been sleeping, almost for twenty hours straight.

With a slight moan, she turned her head to look around. A nurse sat by her side, studying her phone, but sensing Bianca’s questioning gaze on her, the woman rose. She met Bianca’s eyes and smiled at the young woman lying on the bed, encouragingly. The woman moved to her and said,

“Hi. I’m Tracey. Barry has hired me to stay with you.”

Nodding weakly, Bianca moved her hand and sipped gratefully as the nurse placed a sipper and a straw to her dry lips.

The young woman sank back on the pillows,...