We arrived home to our London flat as the sky began to darken.

Rain was still pattering heavily onto the ground as we sprinted towards the door. Essie fumbled for a moment with the keys and I turned back to see a sleek, dark car drive by on the road.

It had tinted windows, hiding the driver, and I gave a frown, trailing the rear-lights as it vanished down the street.

Perhaps there was someone other than reporters following me around…

As Essie got the door open, though. I shook the thought away.

Why the hell would the FBI feel the need to keep tabs on my drive home?

“Here we are. Go pick out something to watch, and I’ll order the food.” Essie said, locking us into our cramped but cozy living space.

I wandered into the living room and slumped onto the couch with a sigh. Home at last…

“Avey! What kind of food do you want?” Essie called from the hallway as I turned on the TV.

“Something salty.” I replied. “Not too heavy and not too spicy.”

“Is sushi okay?” Essie asked.

“Sushi’s perfect.” I said, scrolling through our entertainment options. “What do you want to watch, Essie? Anything specific?”

“Eer… you choose. I’ve got no preferences.” Essie called back.

I settled for a sleepy rom-com. Something mindless to wind down to.

Before long, our food arrived and the two of us settled down for a quiet night of absolutely nothing.

The following morning, I woke in my bed with no recollection of how I got there.

Outside, pale rays of sunlight shone through my window, glinting off the droplets of rain still clinging to the glass.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes and stretching myself.

What time was it?

I searched my pockets but couldn’t find my phone.

Stumbling out of the bed, I went into the living room and was met with the smell of coffee wafting in from the kitchen.

“Good morning, sleepyhead!” Essie greeted me as I lingered, yawning in the doorway.

“Morning, Essie…” I muttered, glancing about the kitchen to see what she was up to. Nothing much, it seemed, though she had gotten the coffee going.

“Did you sleep alright?” Essie asked, pouring herself a mug and casting me a bemused glance.

“You were out like a light, like five minutes into the film!”

She giggled, and stepped aside so I could get to the coffee machine.

“Sorry.” I muttered. “I must be more tired than I realize. I don’t even recall getting into bed.”

“Probably because I carried you.” Essie said, looking through the fridge for breakfast.

The two of us had no real habit of preparing or eating meals together. We sort of just went for whatever struck our fancy.

As she grabbed a fruit smoothie from the fridge, I paused for a moment.

“Carried me?” I asked. “How?”

“You’re a feather, Avery.” Essie noted promptly. “I have a harder time lugging the rubbish downstairs than carrying you to bed.”

Feeling strangely attacked by this comparison I grabbed a yoghurt for myself from the fridge and joined her at the kitchen table.

“What’s the plan for today?” I asked, prying off the lid.

“I’ve got some errands to run.” Essie replied. “Nothing special. Just some meetings and a bit of shopping. You?”

She raised her eyes to me.

“Anything you’ve got going on?”

I shook my head.

“Nothing, really.” I said. “Suppose I’ll just hang back at home. Try to relax.”

I felt an involuntary shiver down my spine.

This was not my strong suit. Sitting put and doing nothing.

I preferred action.

“If you fancy a trip out, there’s a grocery list on the cork board by the door.” Essie noted, finishing off the rest of her smoothie.

“You can pop down to the corner store, if you like.”

“Sure.” I said. “I’ll get it done.”

“Welp…” Essie sighed getting to her feet. “I should get ready to go. You take care today, alright? Don’t push it.”

I laughed. She knew me too well.

“I’ll try.” I said.

“Good.” Essie stopped beside me and glomped me into a hug.

“And it’s good to have you back.” she muttered. “It’s been a drag without you.”