* * * Hope’s POV * * *
“She’s staying with me,” I say authoritatively as I enter the clinical examination room with parent Kimberley at my side. I was bracing myself for the procedure that is about to take place. My chaperoning parent is usually sent away, told she isn’t needed within these walls, but today parent Kimberley is needed. By me. I need her comfort. Her kindness. Her compassion. Her presence.
Miss Rita’s eyes dart between us as though she is trying to work out if I’m up to something, but she seems to dismiss the idea with an exasperated sigh. “Very well. If you must, I’m glad you are feeling up to speaking, Hope.” She smirks. “I see you’ve been eating too. Goo, very good.”
Ignoring her condescending jibes, I stand by the metal chair in the corner of the room, stripping off
