The Game

Fifty-two

SIX MONTHS LATER

I pick up the coffee I've allowed to cool down and take a sip, I smile at Grace who is happily bouncing on Kates knee.

"Is that fun? Is Aunty Kate funny" I giggle as I watch her smiling away.

"I raised nearly two thousand pounds" she continues her conversation.

"Oh god that's amazing! Well done I couldn't run up the stairs without passing out let alone five miles" I laugh.

"I surprised myself" she smiles "The money will do so much for women in need of support" she turns Grace around so she's facing her.

"I'm sure it will" I nod.

"So what's happening with you?" she hands Grace to me so she can sip her tea.

"Well I got that placement with the counselling agency" I smile.

"Amazing! Lauren you will do so well. You've come through the darkest of days and you are the perfect person to help others that have been in your situation. Do you see Fran still?"

"I do, not as often maybe once a couple of months now. I feel I'm at a place where I can work myself out of my panic attacks" I cradle Grace as she rubs her eyes.

"That's good. That's really good. You've worked so hard on yourself recently and it really shows" she smiles at me as I look down to Grace.

"I have her to thank for getting me through every day" I stroke her head as her eyes slowly close.

"She's the reason a lot of us have got through tough times" she nods.

"It's been so good catching up, same again next month?" Kate pulls her dairy out of her bag.

"Here? On the 3rd?" she looks up.

"Yes, nothing rings a bell to me that I'm busy. I'll message you if I can't do it" I carefully lay Grace down in her pushchair.

I stand and wrap my arms around Kate who has quickly become a second mother to me, "I love you and you stay being strong" she whispers.

"I love you too" I kiss her cheek and watch her leave.

I finish my coffee and look at the time, I have an appointment with Keith for Grace's six month check up.

I arrive at the hospital with a few minutes to spare and by the time I've got us both up to the office I'm a few minutes late.

"Hello Lauren" the receptionist greets me.

"Hey sorry I'm late, I'm always running behind these days" I laugh in a huff as I catch my breath.

"oh don't worry. You can go straight in, Keith's ready" she nods over to his office door.

"Thank you" I smile as I push Grace towards the door and knock.

"Afternoon"

I walk in as Keith holds the door open, "My god, this isn't the five pound baby I delivered six months ago!" He peers into her pushchair.

"Surprisingly yes" I laugh.

She's grown so much, changed so much in such a short period of time.

Keith does his usual and has a little chat with me, although he is my doctor he also has become a good friend to me. Once he's finished with Grace I put her back in her chair and give her a bottle of milk.

"So how are we?" he sits back in his chair.

"OK, I mean good I guess. Its been a hard six months" I frown.