I wake up slowly. This one drags me out of sleep in pieces, first the warmth then the quiet…..then the faint clink of cutlery.
I blink as the ceiling slowly comes into focus.
Soft light is spilling in through the curtains, not too bright, just enough to tell me it's morning.
For a second, I don't move,just lie there because this… this feels unfamiliar in a strange way.
Safe.
Then the smell hits me...food.
My stomach twists sharply, like it just remembered something important and I turn my head slightly.
Ivy is sitting on the edge of the bed with a tray in her hands..,She's watching me and patiently waiting.
"Morning," she says softly.
My voice doesn't come out immediately when I try to respond because my throat feels dry.
"…Morning."
She smiles a little and shifts the tray closer to me.
"I made you breakfast."
I push myself up slowly, my body protesting a little but not nearly as bad as yesterday. The blanket slips down as I sit there, staring at the tray.
