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“Does he know where the office is?”

Ellie thought for a second, then nodded. “Yeah, he’s met me after work a couple of times, walked me home.”

Mo’s face paled further. Their phone beeped again. “It’s Car,” they said. “She says there’s someone in the office and she’s called the police.”

“Jesus,” said Ellie. Her chest was starting to tighten. “Not again.”

“Paul’s here,” Mo reminded her.

“Is he? I haven’t seen him,” Ellie said, breathe coming faster.

“Mistakes happen,” Mo said, standing up. “Maybe they let him go already.”

“And what? He’s gone to destroy the office?” The band around her was tightening further.

“How should I know?” Mo said. They were starting to panic now too. “All I know is that Carys is there, right next door, and she’s already had to call the police and…”

“Mo,” she was struggling now, really struggling.

“And she could be getting hurt and I haven’t even told her I love her yet and…”

“Mo!” Each breath was snatched, barely enough oxygen to let her function.

“And I really do, I have to tell her.”

“Jesus.” The door had opened. “Ambulance, now!” Shouted the policewoman.

“Ellie!” said Mo.

“Is she having a fit?” asked the policewoman.

“Panic attack,” Mo said, bending over Ellie, undoing the top button of her shirt.

And all Ellie could do was watch as the lights began to fade and her eyes began to close.

???

“Explain to me again why this is a good idea?” Rolly said, looking in dismay at the bags of deflated balloons on the desk.

“Because we’re making a fuss,” Jem said. “We’re making it big, not keeping anything discreet. We’ll fill the place with balloons, get the flowers in, and then we’ll film the whole thing, put it on TikTok or something, really make a splash with it. It’s a real, big gesture. She’s going to love it.”

“Is she really?” asked Rolly, tilting his head as Jem rolled in a huge canister of what could only be helium.

“Actually, maybe not,” Jem said. “But it’s important that I do this. Important that I show her that everything’s out in the open. I promise that I’ll ask her permission before posting anything online though, okay?”

“Maybe you should have asked permission before breaking into her office,” Rolly said, trying and failing to open a package of balloons.

“I knew she wouldn’t be here, she’s supposed to be home by now. I had rather thought that either Carys or Mo would still be around though. I thought they could help us blow up balloons.” She took the package from him and pulled it open. Footsteps sounded on the stairs. “That could be one of them now though.”

“Thank God,” Rolly said. “I am not equipped to deal with balloons in any way, shape or form.”

“Of course you are,” said Jem. She was about to explain exactly why, but she didn’t have a chance to.

“Police!” shouted a voice from just outside. Then the door was kicked open and all hell let loose.

???

Mo bustled into the cubicle, phone still in their hand. “So?” they said.