The Burnout

Sometimes for old times’ sake I get out Legally Blonde, but it’s more to smile at and say, Thanks for being there when I needed you.

Physically, I feel in better shape. Mentally, I feel in better shape. Maybe in better shape than I’ve been for years.

doesn’t feel the need to boast or brag or even share his thoughts unless you ask him.

Just for a microsecond, my stomach flutters at the word couple, and I blink. Wait. Why did that happen? Why the flutter?

Oh my God.

Am I…could I be…is it at all possible I’m interested in sex, suddenly? Am I finally coming al

I’m in a better place today than I was yesterday. Yesterday, I was in a better place than when I ran down the street from Joanne. I just have to keep going.

“I was writing a song,” I blurt out. “It’s…lyrics.”

Finn raises an eyebrow, and I watch him mentally running over the words again.

“Catchy,”

If the setting for my transformation isn’t a glorious beach but instead a grotty car park, then so be it. We can’t all have picturesque epiphanies. Sometimes we just have epiphanies. And my epiphany is that I’m going to do this bloody hundred-squat challenge. Right here, right now

And don’t despair, it’ll all come back. You can do miracles with that body of yours, Sasha. Your body is designed to succeed, you know that? Designed to succeed.”

“Dinah, I’m not giving birth,” I remind her, laughing.

“Well, maybe you should!” she answers promptly. “Give birth to a whole new Sasha.”

I want to laugh. Erin? But instead I’m blinking away tears, because Mum’s been so thoughtful. Even if I do hate kale.

“Thanks,” I gulp. “Thanks for everything, Mum.”

“Oh, Sasha.” Mum cups my cheek gently with her hand. “You’re not yourself, are you? Will you be all right? Because I could come down with you—”

It was by mistake,” I explain defensively. “I didn’t line myself up and hurl myself at a brick wall for kicks. It just loomed up.”

“Walls don’t just loom up.”

“Well, this one did.”

“Were you on something?”