Cat walks alone down a tight alley, the shadows hiding her from the fresh sunlight of the day. Her heels click too loudly on the cobblestones. She shakes her head, as if the noise irritates her. As she pulls her mobile out of her pocket, her footsteps become shorter, slower. Cat has to come to a complete stop in order to garner enough strength to look at the screen. Still nothing. Cat grits her teeth anxiously. Maybe she didn’t send it. Check sent messages… Yep, it’s there staring mockingly back at her. No doubt about it. How long can this go on?

She looks up, expecting to find an answer. Her breath comes out in puffy white clouds. Cat puts her hand to her lip to stifle the cold and keep in the warmth. It doesn’t work.

The phone slides back into her pocket, her fingers still lightly grazing it, just in case. Breathing in deeply, she begins the walk to the office again. Not so fast, give it more time. Slow down.

Her rhythm now off, a high heel decides to revolt, brushing dangerously close to the gaps in the road, tripping up its wearer. Cat stumbles, almost rights herself then cascades into a heap near the steps of the building. Only one hand breaks her fall, the other is still tucked safely away in her pocket fiercely protecting its contents. She waits a moment on the cold stones, sniffing in the grit, hoping to wake up.

“Cat! You okay?” Alastair is the last person she expects to show her some sympathy.

She looks up. He is rushing over, the concern on his face appears sincere. She waits a moment more. Perhaps if Cat waits long enough, the person she really wants to rescue her, will.

“Here, let me…” He trails off, lifting her gently to her feet. She is terrified of how she might look. Since when did it get so warm this morning? Cat resists the urge to touch her cheeks to check for blushing.

“Those cobblestones… Someone will break their neck one day.” She stumbles over her words too, anxiously hoping it will attract attention away from the humiliation evident on her face.

“You shouldn’t be in such a rush to get to work. You’re here so early these days. Everything alright at home?”

“Yeah sure. Why wouldn’t it be?” She turns, suddenly eager to be inside the building.

“I just…” He shakes his head. He’s not going to mention it. “It’s not important.” Gesturing to the road where she’d fallen, he asks again, “Sure you’re okay?”

Another lie escapes Cat’s lips. “I’m fine.”