As Wednesday sat at her dressing table, applying the fiddly liquid eyeliner to her lids, her phone started to buzz continuously. The sound knocked her concentration, causing her to create a harsh black smudge where a thin black line should have been. Cursing at her now panda like appearance, she picked up the phone, smiling down at the caller.

"Hello you! This is a nice surprise, I thought you'd be at work at this time usually?"

"Well, I'm meant to be, but I've snuck away to the toilets for a break and a cig," Zara replied.

"You're not meant to smoke inside," Wednesday chided with a grin.

"You're not meant to smoke at all, but I do that anyway so where's the harm. But enough about me. How are you doing?"

Wednesday had, rather begrudgingly, filled Zara in on everything that had happened since the start of the New Year. And because that obviously included not only her argument with Patrick but also her nanna's passing, the funeral and her panic attack, it hadn't been an easy conversation.

But if there was one positive that came from it, it was that Zara had been constantly messaging and ringing her to check on how she was doing. Being on the other side of the world meant she could no longer just pop round for a cuppa or take her out for food, but she'd taken it in her stride and got creative with how she could show her support to her friend. One day, Wednesday had been delivered a bouquet of white roses, with the card stating, 'special delivery from Dubai x'. On another occasion, Zara messaged her to say that she'd transferred her £50 to treat herself to some nice wine and food, just because.

Despite her insistence that she didn't need gifts or money being spent on her, they still made Wednesday feel emotional. Because it reminded her that she was being thought of, just as much as she thought of Zara. Sometimes, her brain would try to convince her that that wasn't the case, a wonderfully annoying symptom of anxiety. But when she received a message asking how she was, or a facetime just for a chat, it made her feel warm inside and reminded her that she mattered. Something she desperately needed every once in a while.

"I'm alright. I'm actually going out today, for some food and a mooch around with Sarah."

"Ooh, that will be fun. Are you going anywhere in particular?"

"Not really," Wednesday said, her mouth opened as she looked in the mirror and attempted to clean up the smudged eyeliner. "Sarah mentioned something about finding a new bookshop to look at, so probably gonna go there."

"God, how I miss those vintage little bookstores that were dotted all over the city."

"I'm sure the hot Dubai sun more than makes up for it."

Zara laughed down the phone. "To be fair it does, but I'm sick of being sweaty all day every day. Get me some of that smoggy London air."

"I'll gladly trade," Wednesday replied, balancing the phone between her ear and shoulder as she attempted the liner once more.

"Well, I was actually ringing about something similar to that."

"What do you mean?" Wednesday asked, her brows furrowing.

"You're off work now, aren't you?"

"Yeah..."

"And you said you don't have a set timeframe for when you will be going back?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Well, I was thinking that if I can get the time off from work, we should book a holiday somewhere next month. Just like a week or two on some peng Caribbean island. Nothing but the beach, sun and cocktails. What do you think?"

"Oh my god, that sounds incredible," Wednesday smiled. "I'm so down. I need a holiday so fucking badly after these past few months."

"Yes! I'm so glad you agree. It's been ages since we last went anywhere together and we both deserve a getaway."

"We definitely do. God, I need a swim in the ocean and the sun on my skin desperately."

"Me too. Right, that's settled then. Me, you, a holiday. No men, no distractions. Just good vibes and good alcohol. Shall I have a look at some options tonight and send them over?"

"Yes please."

Wednesday couldn't imagine anything better than a holiday. The last time she'd been abroad and not just for work had been Italy, and though it had been fun, it had distinctly felt like she'd slightly gate-crashed a boys holiday.

"Cool, I'll get looking asap. Also, I wanted to ask if you've decided what you're going to do yet? About therapy?"

There it was. The dreaded therapy question. Harry had been gently, but consistently, questioning her about it ever since he came back. What was she thinking, how was she feeling about it. She knew he only wanted the best for her and to know where her head was at, but she'd felt so overwhelmed in the last session that she was scared the exact same thing would occur the next time around.

"I don't have a clue, if I'm honest," Wednesday sighed down the phone, staring at her solemn expression in the mirror.

"What are you scared of?"

"Actually opening up for once. It terrifies the fuck out of me. She just kept digging and digging last time and we got to a point where it was just like sirens went off in my head and I had to get out of there."

"Yeah, the first few sessions are always the hardest. But that's just because you learn stuff about yourself that you've never known or have pushed down. After that, it really does make you feel so much better and change the way you process things. Wallahi, it made me feel so much better."

"Really?" Wednesday asked, slumped over her desk with her head in her hand.

"Really. Wednesday, book another session in and this time, let your walls down. Answer the questions without letting your mind overthink it all and see how you feel after. If you still hate it, then you know it's not for you. But if it leaves you with some answers that make sense and a want to continue discussing everything, then keep at it. But you'll never know if you don't book again."

Wednesday knew she was right. She just wished she wasn't.

"You're right. Being stuck in this 'should I, shouldn't I' limbo is driving me insane. And I think if Harry asks me once more about it, it might tip me over the edge."

Zara laughed down the receiver. "How is Harry anyway? You two had anymore nice, private sleepovers in the same bed again?"

Wednesday's eyes narrowed as she detected Zara's slightly sarcastic tone. She knew it had been a mistake to mention the other night, when Harry had quietly crept into her bed.

"I've told you, it was innocent! He couldn't sleep."

"Yeah, yeah. That's what they all say."

A laugh emitted from Wednesday as she shook her head.

"You're an idiot. It's not like that and you know it."

"Mhm, sure. Right, well I better get back to work before they find me in this toilet stall and sack me. I'll send you some destinations tonight. Enjoy today!"

After saying goodbye, Wednesday ended the call. Finishing her makeup quickly, she stepped away to look into the full-length mirror. She'd gone for a simple outfit – blue jeans, black jumper, black doc martens and a full length oversized checked coat, paired with a black beanie. As much as she loved spending so much time in her joggers, it was nice to feel a sense of normality again.

She set off 10 minutes later, getting the tube to the little café in Camden they'd agreed to meet at.

As she arrived there, red faced and flustered, she looked around the busy café until her eyes landed on Sarah. She was sat at a table, stirring her coffee and looking as effortlessly cool as always. Looking up, she noticed Wednesday stood in the doorway and a wide grin broke out on her face. Wednesday moved towards her, wearing a genuine smile.

"Long time no see stranger!" Sarah said, opening her arms for a hug.

Wednesday ignored her own aversion to hugs as she accepted the invitation and warmly hugged her back, feeling instant relief. She hadn't realised how much she'd missed having friends around.

"God, I've missed you!"

"Same here. Work isn't the same without you."

Wednesday pulled back, shooting her a sad smile.

"Don't, I'm missing it like crazy."

"You'll be back when you're ready," Sarah affirmed confidently.

They sat down, Wednesday pulling off her hat and coat, grabbing the menu to eye what was on offer. Eventually deciding on an almond latte, she settled down into her seat.

"So, tell me everything. What's new with you?" Wednesday asked, happy to discuss someone else's life for once.

"Well, I know it sounds boring, but nothing much. Christmas was pretty chill, and it was lovely staying with Mitch's parents for New Year. Since then, when we're not working, we've just been lounging around all day eating and writing songs. We really don't lead exciting lives," she laughed, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Don't be daft, that sounds fun. I want to hear those songs when they're done," Wednesday said, raising her eyebrows. Her own coffee was planted down in front of her and she thanked the waitress.

"At the moment, they're honestly just little fragments that still need to be pieced together. But I'll get there eventually." She smiled at Wednesday, but it didn't meet her eyes. Immediately it faltered as she looked down to the table. "I'm really sorry Wednesday. About your nanna. And everything else. Sounds like it's been a rubbish time for you the past couple of months."

Wednesday poured the sugar into her drink, not making eye contact as she tightly smiled.

"If I'm being honest, it's been absolutely awful. Just...all of it. Nanna, Patrick. The other thing..."

She trailed off, looking up to Sarah who knowingly looked back at her, understanding what the end of that sentence meant.

"I couldn't believe it when Mitch told me," Sarah said, shaking her head. "Harry and Daisy?! I never even suspected it!"

Wednesday laughed nervously. "I know, me neither. Took me a long time to wrap my head around it."

"Can't even imagine how you felt finding them together."

The flashback of them in bed together appeared in Wednesday's mind. With a wince, she pushed it away as quickly as she could, picturing literally anything else.

"Not great," she said, taking a large gulp of the warm coffee that she desperately needed. "But it's all water under the bridge now between me and Harry. It was touch and go there for a while, but thankfully we came to our senses. Life's too short."

She felt her stomach clench with grief as she repeated the exact same words her nanna had said to her, the night before she went home. How true that statement had come to be in the weeks that followed.

Sarah nodded, clearing her throat. "Well, the new pianist seems nice. She's got a girlfriend too, so no chance of anymore funny business occurring."

Wednesday laughed through her nose, shaking her head.

"Trust me, I think Harry learnt his lesson after last time." She sat back, biting her lip. "How's the new drummer?"

Sarah noticed Wednesday's intrigued glance and the way she was trying to appear uninterested failing miserably.

"He's good." Wednesday deflated at her words, the selfish part of her wanting to hear her say that he was rubbish, just so that her ego could be stroked a bit. But as she gave up on Sarah saying anything else, she spoke. "But he's not you."

Wednesday looked up to her, a grateful grin appearing on her lips.

Once they'd ordered and ate their meals, talking like they hadn't spoken in years, they made their way out to the shops, mooching around the high street. They dipped into various second-hand stores and vintage shops, finding the bookshop Sarah had recommended.

Rooting through the shelves like they were looking for treasure, Wednesday was chuffed to come away with a whole new range of books to read. At least she'd have something to keep her occupied during her time off – it had barely been two weeks and she'd already managed to watch the entirety of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Lord of The Rings film series.

"I know you know this, but give me a call or a text if you ever need anything. You know I'm always here," Sarah said as they got ready to part ways. Her voice was gentle, but her expression was stern, like she wanted Wednesday to really believe and understand what she was saying.

Wednesday nodded before leaning in and hugging her again. She knew Sarah wasn't expecting two hugs in one day from her, purely from the way her body tensed up at first. But she quickly eased into it, rubbing Wednesday's back comfortingly.

"Thank you," Wednesday said quietly, smiling at no-one over her shoulder.

She pulled away, adjusting her hat before smiling at Sarah.

"Right, I'm gonna get off. Keep in touch though!"

"I will!" Sarah said back.

They both turned in opposite directions, and Wednesday pulled her coat tighter around her.

She put her air pods in, not bothering to choose a specific playlist. Instead, she hit shuffle. The song that drifted into her ears as she walked down the frosted path elicited a small smile from her. It was cold and sunny today – her favourite weather. If she breathed out, a white mist would appear. She didn't understand how, but the song seemed to pair with the moment perfectly.

Finding the tube stop, she walked down the steps, her hands shoved into her pockets. The usual commuters flew by quickly, mostly businessmen in suits who had somewhere important to be. She watched a couple around the same age in front of her as she reached the platform, holding hands and looking at each other like they were the only people there.

She got onto the tube as it arrived, victoriously smiling when she found a seat. The carriages jolted forward, and she watched the whirring walls pass by, the screeching sound slightly audible over the song.

Her eyes landed on the young girl stood by the doors, holding the pole, facing away from Wednesday. On her back she wore a yellow rucksack, adorned with various scribbles and pictures that looked like she'd done it herself. She narrowed in on one particular quote on the bag. 'Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.'

The train began to slow, Wednesday's stop coming up. She shot one last look at the girl's bag, before standing up.

Once she was back out into the cold and the song had long since stopped, Wednesday grabbed her phone from her pocket. She walked slowly down the quiet street, scrolling down her contacts list until she found the one she wanted. Tapping the call button, she brought it up to her ear.

"Hello, Bloomberg therapy clinic. How may I help?" a woman answered after a few rings.

Wednesday cleared her throat, finding her voice.

"Hi. I'd like to make an appointment please. With Dr Nichols."

/