The carpet of golden leaves crunched underfoot as Emily sorted through the medication chart, pressing pills from blister packs into plastic cups. Another day, another routinepreparing doses for patients. Was this all life had in store? Endless monotony, alone? Her heart ached like a fresh wound. Every cruel word her husband had hurled the day before echoed in her mind, each one a sharp sting.
She tossed an empty blister pack into the bin beside the desk, grabbed a bottle, and shook a handful of tablets onto her palm, speeding up as she filled the cups. Her thoughts wandered far away
“Emily, what on earth are you doing?” The sharp voice of Sister Margaret startled her. The bottle slipped from her hand, toppling the cups. Emily stared helplessly at the scattered pills.
“Whats wrong with you? Do you realise you couldve killed someone by overdosing them? Step away!” Sister Margaret shouldered her aside. “Lord above, what a mess!”
“Im sorry, Sister, Ill fix it” Emily grabbed a cup, emptying its contents onto her palm, but froze.
“Give it here! Fix it? How can you even tell which is which now?” Margaret swept the pills from Emilys hand into the bin. “One moments distraction is all it takes!”
Emilys hands trembled. “I just spaced out.”
“If I hadnt walked in, God knows what mightve happened. Fancy a prison sentence?” Margaret snapped.
“I dont know how it happened” Emily sank into a chair, pressing her hands to her face as silent sobs shook her shoulders.
“Please tell me you hadnt started injections?”
Emily shook her head, still weeping.
“You were never this careless before. Youve been here years!”
“My husband yesterday he left me.” Her voice was muffled behind her hands.
Margaret exhaled. “Right. Well, stop crying. Ill sort these myself. YouI cant let you work like this. One mistake, and well both be out of a job.”
Emily finally lowered her hands and stood. “Sister, I”
“Sit down. Better yet, go home. Write up leave starting tomorrow. Ill explain to Matron.”
“I was saving my days for when my daughter gives birth. Ill focus, I promise,” Emily said, smudging mascara across her cheeks.
“A weeks enough to pull yourself together. Take the rest later. And go homeout of my sight. Ill cover your shift. Keep quiet, or theyll sack you properly.”
Margaret shuddered. “Honestly, the thought of what couldve happened Though our lot are sharptheyd have kicked up a fuss if youd handed out double doses.” She sighed, refilling the cups. “Wait. Ill call you a cab. Youre in no state to walk.”
Emily didnt argue. She wrote her leave request, changed, grabbed her handbag, and left. A black cab waited at the gates. She slid into the back seat and gave her address.
Home held no comfort. *Hes gone, probably happy with some younger woman, while I nearly sent patients to their graves. Pull yourself together* Her phone rangLucy, her daughter.
“Mum, hi!” Lucys cheerful voice was a balm. The horror faded. She hadnt handed out the pills. No harm done.
“Love, how are you? Whats up?”
“All good! You at work?”
“In a cab home. Theyve given me a week off.”
“Why? Are you ill?”
“No, just things. Can I come stay with you?”
“Of course! When?”
“Tomorrow, if I get a train ticket”
She was still talking when the cab pulled up.
“Here we are. Got another fare,” the driver said.
“Ohright. How much do I owe?” She fumbled for her phone.
The driver gave her a bemused look. “Paid by card when it was booked.”
“Was it?” *Mustve been Margaret.* She stepped out.
“Mum, who were you talking to?” Lucy asked.
“The driver. Ill call back when Ive got my ticket” She went to tuck her phone away, but her handbag was gone.
Her stomach dropped. The cab was already driving off with it. She staggered to a bench, brushed off the leaves, and sat. *Margarets rightIm losing my mind.*
She mentally checked the bags contents. Flat keys in her coat pocket, phone in hand but her wallet! Hardly any cash, but her cards! The debit one*Block it now!*
She peered down the road. *Maybe the driverll bring it back?* She scoffed at herself. *Fat chance.*
After blocking the card, she sighed in relief. Now to calm down. Inside, the flat felt emptier than ever. Anger flaredthis was *his* fault. If he hadnt left, she wouldnt be this scattered.
Maybe she shouldnt go. More trouble might find her. But Lucy was waiting, and staying here alone was unbearable. She fetched her emergency cashjust enough for the trip.
At the station, she bought a ticket, packed lightly, and warned her neighbour, Mrs. Higgins, shed be away. On the train, she relaxed. The card was safe, shed replace the bag, and her husbands leaving no longer felt catastrophic. Lucy would have a baby soon She drifted off.
London greeted her with drizzle. Eventually, she told Lucy about her father.
“Mum, dont you dare take him back if he crawls home,” Lucy said.
Emily imagined him returning to an empty flat. *Let him sweat.*
But when she got back, she knew he hadnt come.
Over tea, Mrs. Higginsthrice-married and still hopeful at seventyasked after Lucy. “Oh! A gentleman came looking for you. Distinguished chap. Wanted something Sorry, dear, I forget what.”
“No matter. Hell return.”
“Odd, thoughasked after you but didnt know your name. Suppose he couldve been a burglar? Though he seemed ever so polite”
Emily laughed. “If he were, hed have robbed the place while I was gone.”
“True. Still, be careful.”
Back at work, Sister Margaret watched her closely but soon relaxed. That evening, the doorbell rang. A handsome man stood there, holding her handbag.
“May I come in? Awkward chatting on the doorstep.”
She stepped aside.
“Found this in a cab. You were the fare before medriver said you seemed upset, on the phone the whole ride.”
“Howd you find me?”
“He dropped you here. Your neighbour helped. Everythings insidecheck.”
Her cash and cards were untouched.
“I blocked the card,” she blurted.
“Smart move. People cant be trusted.”
She offered him a twenty.
“Not why Im here.” He turned to leave.
“Thank you!” she called.
“James,” he said over his shoulder.
The following weekend, he returned with flowers.
“I didnt leave these in the cab,” she said, amused.
“Your neighbour told me everything. These are for you.” He smiled. “We never properly met. Im James.”
“Emily.”
“Fancy a dance class? Ever tried?”
“No. Ive two left feet.”
“I love dancingjust need a partner. So?”
She hesitated. *What if my ex knew I wasnt moping but dancing?* “Alright.”
James was graceful; Emily stepped on his toes. Over tea afterwards, she found shed enjoyed itthe way he led, how she followed.
Soon, they went weekly. One night, she returned exhilaratedand tripped over a suitcase in the hall. *Hes back.*
Her husband emerged.
“Em, Im sorry. Ive been miserable. She cant cookIve got indigestion from takeaways. Lets start over. Weve got Lucy, the baby coming”
“Bit late for that.” She hung her coat, avoiding his gaze.
“Where were you? You had the morning shift.”
“Im a free woman now. I come and go as I please.”
“Youre still my wife!”
“For now. Lucy said I shouldnt forgive you. Shes right.”
“Youve replaced me quickly.”
“*You* left *me*.” She kicked the suitcase. “Good, you didnt unpack. Take it and go.”
He begged, shouted, threatenedshe stood firm.
“Fine. But dont think youre keeping the flat”
“Lucys on the deeds. Soon her son will be too. Good luck with that.”
“You bitch!” He grabbed the case and left.
She laughed until tears streamed down her face.
At the next class, James paced anxiously.
“Em, I was terrified you wouldnt come”
They danced. She moved lightly, effortlessly, as if she had wings.
“Emily,
