9

Ava was awakened by a light knock on the door. She was confused for a moment; she didn’t recognise the sheets, or the bed, or the room. Last night came back to her as a freight train mercilessly ploughing through her sleepy mind. There was a second knock on the door. Ava sat up and called for them to enter, making sure the cover was up around her waist. She had been sleeping in her tank top and panties since she didn’t have any of her nightclothes. The older woman from the night before walked into the room with a smile on her face.

“Good morning, miss Ava,” she said.

“Good morning, Anna,” Ava replied. At least she thought that was the woman’s name. The smile she got back had her thinking she had been right.

“I have some new clothes with me and some make-up,” Anna told her and put the bundle she had in her arm on the dresser.

“Thank you,” Ava said.

“Not at all. Let me have a look,” Anna said, walking up to Ava and turning her head to look at Ava’s cheek. Anna made a tutting noise. “Ba