“Come on, let’s get her inside” I said, stepping over and bending down to take Gabby by the elbow to help her up, Molly still in my other hand in her carrier. Alice took her by the other elbow and together we guided the sobbing brunette into the house. We took her to the sofa and sat her down. She looked so small, a shadow of the Gabby that Alice and I knew- a cold-hearted bitch. Gabby sat there with her arms wrapped around herself, shaking and struggling for breath as the tears continued to flow. Still in my hand, I heard Molly whimpering, crying for some attention.

Alice and I stood watching her, unsure of what to do next. I turned to Alice. “I’m going to set up Molly’s bed and give her some food. Why don’t you get her a cup of tea or something? We can try and talk to her together in a minute”.

I looked at Alice to see if she agreed with me and she simply nodded and headed for the kitchen. I placed Molly gently on the table and went out to the car to collect the newly bought bed, food and toys. I felt disappointed, thinking that I and Alice should be happily playing with our dog together, but instead we were looking after Alice’s ex, who as yet hadn’t actually said anything that made any sense.

It took me a few minutes to give Molly some food, which she ate gratefully, and put her in her new dog basket that she happily snuggled into. As I watched her get comfortable I felt Alice come up behind me.

“I gave her the tea but she’s still not saying anything, just crying, I’m surprised she hasn’t run out of tears by now” Alice told me.

“Ok, shall we go and try and talk to her?” I asked.

“Yeah, I think we should”

I nodded and followed Alice into the living room, where Gabby had not moved. Alice sat on the sofa next to Gabby, but with a distance between them and I sat in the armchair facing them.

Alice spoke first, in a soft and gentle voice. “Gabby, can you tell us what’s going on?”