“Ok, so explain what’s going on with you now. Are you still drinking? Have you tried to find another job?” I asked, wanting to know the situation in full before I tried to give advice.

“Not exactly, I’ve only ever wanted to write films, I’ve never known anything else”

“You can still do that can’t you? You just need to sort yourself out” I said.

“Yeah, I know. There’s no excuse for it really, I’ve just been a mess and I’ve just stayed in my apartment really”. Gabby looked ashamed of herself “I’ve just been so low”.

“I know how that feels Gabby” I told her, looking at her. “I’ve gotten through it, you can too. First, you’ve gotta beat the drink, if it has become a major problem, then maybe gradually you can get back into writing”.

“Yeah. You just need to give yourself a break, sort yourself out and then I’m sure work won’t be a problem anymore”. Dana said helpfully.

“Do you think you can do that?” I asked Gabby.

She looked like she was thinking about this for a moment, before answering “I think so”.

“Good” I said. “I’m just going to get us some more tea, Dana could you help me please?” I looked at my girlfriend, and she knew the real reason I asked her was that I wanted to talk to her without Gabby listening. She got up and we headed to the kitchen.

Dana

As soon as we reached the kitchen Alice turned to me. “Dane, I think she’s going to need some help with sorting herself out” she told me.

“I thought you would say that. I think so too. I guess as she has no-one else, that responsibility is left with us” I sighed. I had expected my caring girlfriend to want to help a person in need, especially as she knew how Gabby felt.

“I know you obviously don’t like her Dane, and I still don’t forgive the way she treated me, but it seems like all this has changed her and that she really needs help” Alice explained.

“I know, she does. Okay, we can help her, but how do we do that?” I asked.

“Um…” Alice shifted uncomfortably and I had the feeling I wasn’t going to like what she was about to say, “do you think she could stay here for a few days? It’s just that way we can keep an eye on her, stop her drinking and stuff”.

I sighed, thinking about it. I looked through the doorway to the living room and saw Gabby sitting huddled on the sofa, looking helpless. “Okay, just for a few days ok? Just until she’s sorted herself out a bit, I don’t really want to get too involved in this and I don’t think you should either Al. I know you probably feel like you understand her situation, but it’s still different”.

“I don’t think it’s that different Dana. Yeah I do think I know how she feels, she’s hit her lowest point and she’s depending on alcohol, like I was with the pills. But, baby, the thing is I got through that because of you and my friends. Gabby doesn’t have anyone; we’re all she has now. If we support her, I reckon she’ll be able to get through this and we can get on with our lives too” Alice was holding my hand and looking me with those eyes that I can’t say no to.

“I know, I know you’re right. She needs help, I’m not gonna just abandon her am I? She can stay, you’d better go and tell her. I’ll get the spare sheets, of course she’ll have to stay on the sofa but its comfortable enough”.

Alice smiled widely and placed her hands on the side of my face. She leant in and kissed me. “Thank you baby” she said and left the room. I remained in the middle of the kitchen, sighed again and hoped that Gabby wouldn’t take too long to get back on track and probably, back to her bitchy self.