Clinical.
Clean.
Quiet.
I am hooked up to a drip that is feeding some sort of clear liquid into me. I don’t even care what the liquid is, I’m just grateful that I’m here and that I finally have some distance from Michael.
God, how pathetic. I’m actually happy to be in a fucking hospital just so I can get away from him.
Michael has been made to leave.
He’s gone.
There will be no walking on eggshells, even if it is just for one night.
There is no need to feel unsafe here.
My eyelids feel heavy.
My mind wants to rest.
And as I close my eyes, I feel happy that this will be the first night in a long time where I can go to sleep without worrying.
I can finally get some peace.
Chapter Eighteen
Uncomfortable questions
I wake up to find a nurse stood at the end of my bed, looking at some paperwork.
“Good morning,” she says cheerfully, a bright smile breaking out across her face.
“Morning.” My voice is croaky, and I attempt to clear it.
“Here you go, honey,” the nurse says as she puts the paperwork down, goes over to a small table by the window and picks up a glass of water. “I bet you’re thirsty.”
I nod at her and she hands me the glass. It only takes me a few seconds to drink the lot.
“Would you like some more?”
“No, thank you, I’m good.” I smile at her as she takes the glass from me and puts it back on the table.
“I’m just going to go and notify Doctor Malone that you’re awake.”
“Okay.” The nurse exits the room but returns moments later with, I presume, Doctor Malone.
“Good morning, Lucy, I’m Doctor Malone.” He has a kind face, a killer smile, and I feel myself smiling in return.
“Hello, Doctor.”
“I know that you probably have some questions for me but let me just run a few quick checks before we talk about what happened.”
“Sure.”
The Doctor asks me a few basic questions and then takes a look at the same paperwork that the nurse had in her hand when I woke up. He peers at the amount of liquid left in the drip bag, and seemingly satisfied he dismisses the nurse. Once she has left the room and closed the door, Doctor Malone pulls up a chair and sits himself next to my bed.
“Lucy, do you mind if I call you by your first name?” he asks.
