“Be patient with her, she will want to take things slowly, she was hurt very badly.”

“I will wait for her.  I have waited this long.”

“Ok dry your eyes my dear, your love is waiting for you.  You can use the bathroom to wash your face.”

As Jo went to the bathroom Miss Stephanie went to talk to Helena.

“Miss Helena, how are you?”

“I’m good, really good.”

“You have begun the journey my dear, you will be home soon.”

“I never thought it could be her.  I didn’t think I would ever see her again.”

“Promise me you will be wise, that you will open your heart fully to her and most of all that you will trust in her.”

“I promise.  Thank you Madame Stephanie, you have helped me so much.”

“It has been my pleasure dear.”

As they embraced Jo entered the hallway.

“Ladies, I do believe it is getting late and is well past my bedtime.  Joanne it was a pleasure to meet you, Helena lovely to see you again my dear.  I bid you goodnight.”

Madame Stephanie left the two women standing in the hallway.

“So what do you say we get out of here, I could do with a drink.”

“Ok”

They had been silent since they left Madame Stephanie’s.  Strolling along arm in arm, Helena decided risk it and ask Jo what Madame Stephanie had said.

“Ok, so you don’t have to tell me, but what did she say?”

“I was just waiting for you to ask.  You know I would tell you anything.  I think apart from my family, you’re the only person I really trust.”

Helena seemed taken aback by this

“Really, what about friends back in London?”

“I didn’t really have any.  There were plenty of acquaintances but no actual friends.  Doing freelance work meant moving around a lot, so it got pretty lonely.  That’s one of the things that she said to me, that I had been lonely and now that would change.  She said that friends would surround me.”

“I’m sorry you were lonely, I wish I could have been there for you.”