I took as long as was possible unpacking-but it still wasn’t long enough. Due to the lack of belongings I possessed, my old room was sparsely furnished, and I couldn’t bring myself to constantly rearrange everything. I stood in the middle of the room when I was finished, gazing around at the walls, a rush of nostalgia and anger flooding me. I knew that I was going to cry if I didn’t pull myself together, but I couldn’t do anything properly, and so I had to take deep, ragged breaths to prevent my emotions from spilling over. Charlie was worried about me enough already.

I switched on the computer on the desk, noting the dust on top of the monitor, and sighing. I guess my domestic skills were in need here-in the little time I had. Doing everything I could not to look over at the rocking chair, the bed, or the window, I fixed my eyes upon the screen as it slowly beeped and groaned its way into life. I waited for the internet to finally load, and then scanned my email. I remembered sitting in exactly the same space all that time ago, checking the many emails from my mother, replying in an effort to calm her worries about me. Now I thought I felt my heart sink a little bit as I saw the inbox flash up as empty, once again attempting to stem the tears welling up in my eyes, and wiping furiously at the few that escaped.

I thought about going out into town, before dismissing the idea as too optimistic and risky-the embarrassment would surely be immense. I then consolidated this dismissal as I remembered that I had no means of transport save walking, which I didn’t have the energy for.

My thoughts were disturbed by a familiar and extraordinarily loud engine outside. I dismissed my conclusions before noticing, from the sound, that it had pulled up outside. Unable to contain myself, I jumped up from the seat and walked briskly over to the window, staring out at the street below. My heart thumped in my throat, and without thinking about it for even a second, I ran out of my room, down the stairs and through the front door, with Charlie staring at me with a mixture of confusion, fright and amusement on his face.