Rachel woke the next morning to a hammering at the door. She sat up in bed, confused and sleep-befuddled, her dreams lingering into her first waking moments. Checking her alarm clock the time read 8:37. God, she had slept in. It was the first time on years that she had woken so late. She was normally up with the larks and ready for the day ahead hours before now. As the knocking at the door continued, panic struck as she wondered who it could be. Her heart hammered in her chest and her mouth went dry as sandpaper. Leaping out of bed, she went to the roof window and stood on her toes to see if there was a car in front of the cottage. It was Eric’s car. Relief swept through her and she made her way down the ladder and to the front door. She pulled back the chain and the deadbolt at the top and bottom of the door, turned the key and the Yale lock and pulled the door open. Eric’s face was full of concern. ‘Are you OK Rachel?’ He took her face in his hands and pulled her close to him.
