“Kiss?” Helena asked, just as the four were about to leave the house. Nicky, already standing by his mother, threw his arms around her in a hug and planted a quick kiss on her lips before hurrying out the door and waiting by the car. Leah was quick to skip over, placing a quick kiss on her mother’s lips and waving goodbye as she followed Andrew out the house. Peter was the last to call out a goodbye and Helena waved them off by the door, waiting until the little car was out of view before closing it behind her. 

For all of ten seconds, she stood against the wall in the hallway silently, allowing the deafening stillness of the house to aid her in her search for peace. Pulling her phone from her pocket, the Brit checked the time – 10:33a.m – and decided that she would text Dylan telling her that she would be free by half eleven, which gave her enough time to get a quick shower. 

Once the message was sent, Helena was quick to jump into the shower, running the water a little cooler than she normally would in order to help calm her down, though she doubted her heart would calm its hammering even if she were to shower in ice-cold water. After rinsing the last of her coconut-fragranced conditioner from her hair, Helena was just about to leave the bathroom when she noticed her razor. She wasn’t quite sure what train of logic or reasoning caused her to grab the little pink device, but she was quick to shave beneath her armpits, legs and other such areas until she was embarrassingly aware of her satisfaction. 

Once she was dry, Helena pulled herself into a white Summer dress, deciding to leave her feet bare as she doubted they would be leaving the house. Her hair, so used to being left to dry naturally, was sprayed with heat-protection-formula and blow-dried, falling to her breasts in large, loose waves. The Brit hadn’t been wearing much make-up since she arrived at L.A, finding the heat of the climate didn’t particularly agree with a full face of make-up, though she made a slight exception to this now, only aware she was really making somewhat of an effort once she had finished and glanced at herself in the mirror. The woman in the reflective glass stared back at her with a perfect look of shock and nerves. Taking a moment to breathe, Helena sighed out the contents of her lungs before shifting from the vanity table, walking around the made-bed to retrieve her mobile from the bedside cabinet and check the time. 11:34.