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“Don’t worry about me,” I say, giving them both a weak smile.

I don’t miss the look that passes between them. Most of the locals know I live on site. It was the worst-kept secret.

“Have you got somewhere to stay?” Val asks.

I give them a smile and nod. “Yes, my best friend. He’s currently at work. I can stay at his place,” I lie.

After a lot of convincing, the two women finally let me leave, although they refuse to let me pay for any of the items they’ve packed for me. “We are a charity, set up to help those in need. You, my love, need some charity and love today.”

Their kindness floors me, and I tell them I’ll repay them.

I make my way to the outskirts of the main shopping area and find myself outside the one place I hoped I’d never need to revisit. Somewhere, I’ve made countless donations since I opened the dance school. It was there for me once, and here’s hoping it will be there for me again.

I ring the buzzer.

“Hello,” a voice comes over the intercom.

“Hi, I need…” the door buzzes before I can say anymore.

I push it open as I hear the click and step inside. A familiar smell hits my nose, and I’m transported back to when I first arrived in the city at nineteen, with not much more than the bag on my back.

“April?”

Dawn, the manager, appears out of her office.

“Hi,” I say, offering her a weak smile. “I need somewhere,” I cough as I clear the lump from my throat. “I need somewhere to stay,” I say, close to tears.

She nods once and beckons for me to follow her.

“You remember the routine?” she asks. “It’s twenty a night.”

She hands me a clipboard holding the relevant paperwork, which I fill out and pass back.

“Are those your belongings?”

She points to the bag I have over my shoulder. The one Val and Dorrie put together for me.

“Yes,” I say.

She hands me a key. “This is for your locker. Items left lying around tend to walk. We added lockers to ensure the safety of each person’s belongings.”

She grabs a towel and hands it to me.

“Get showered before the rest of the rabble get back. You’re in 2b. The other girls in there are nice. They’ve just left for work, so you’ll have the day to yourself.”

I don’t ask what they do. This is little more than a shelter for those down on their luck.

“Thank you,” I say, heading towards the door.

“I’m sorry, April,” she says. “The fire, it’s all over the news. If there’s anything I can do,” she says.

“Somewhere to lay my head. It’s been a long night,” I say before leaving her.

I can feel her eyes burning into me as I drag my weary body up the stairs.

I strip out of my clothes and place teddy on the sink. I step under the hot water, hissing as it hits my back. I turn around and catch sight of the welt-like bruises in the mirror. Remembering how the window hit me as I climbed through. Luckily, the shower room is empty, the water piping hot. The water runs through my hair and down my body until the pain subsides, and it washes away the grime and smoke of the previous evening. I close my eyes and let the water hide my misery. I gasp for breath, choking on the tears I can no longer contain. The sound of the water drowns out my sobs.

I grab the shampoo that Val put in my bag. Mango and apple. Adding a generous amount to my hand, I massage it into my scalp, washing away the smell of my burnt-out life. I rinse and repeat, before adding the conditioner. I almost cryagain when I see a brand-new hairbrush set in the bag. It’s amazing what people give away.