Chapter 22
The Benz took us home, purring all the way, and Mia was asleep in her car seat by the time we got there. I put her into bed as she was, only putting a night-time nappy on her, and with the house finally quiet around me, I sank down on to the couch. Only to struggle up again and light the fire, thankful I’d set it ready a few days ago. As flames licked up the kindling and took hold, I poured myself the long-promised Jack Daniel’s and sat on the couch again, arranging cushions and pulling a rug over me.
Strangely, now I was safely home, the urge to cry had faded. I felt almost numb, and the JD was helping me grow even more numb. I poured myself another, stacked more wood on the fire, curled up on the couch and just let myself go into zombie mode. And then sleep.
When I jerked a
