Darkness is met by a fading light, which intensifies to blinding white surroundings. Frankie squints and turns her head away. In her new line of sight is a woman she would recognise in a crowd of millions, staring out the window. Frankie smiles softly, dreamily. The light seems less harsh now. There is no pain, simply blissful thoughts, unmade dreams and foretold wishes.

She grins as another thought creeps into her mind. Frankie decides to voice it to see how it tastes.

“I should call my mother.” It’s not a strange sensation, it’s a real one, a truthful one.

Cat turns at the sound. The look of concern upon her face is so evident that it could almost be construed as suspicion. She pauses to gauge Frankie’s state of mind, staying within the safe boundaries of the shadows cast through the window.

“Frankie… do you know where you are?” Every word is deliberate, like talking to a child.

There is a smiling nod from the bed, meant to comfort her questioner.

“You… remember what happened?”

Another nod, the smile fading. Frankie knows exactly where this is going. She takes a breath.

“You know how, when something bad happens, after it something good will happen? You don’t know when exactly, you just have to be patient?” Turning her gaze to the ceiling, it is clear that Frankie isn’t after Cat’s answer to the question, just her understanding. Her voice becomes lighter somehow.

“I was waiting for the good.” She gulps as if she’s swallowing a brick, then rights herself with a shake of the head and continues, words coming out faster now, louder. “I was walking home. I’d had a few. At one point I had no idea where I was or where I was going. I just… was lost.” Frankie turns to face Cat. “I know I ended up outside your place. But I…”

There’s a look, from both women. They know.

“I ran. I wasn’t looking. And yeah.” She turns her palms up and down in a shrugging like gesture as if it explains everything. “He can’t have seen me. I probably scared the poor bugger to death.”

Upon hearing Frankie’s admission, the invisible lead holding Cat back is cut and she is drawn to her side. Frankie beams at Cat as she comes closer. Cat doesn’t return the smile.