SHY PHOEBE

Phoebe woke up to the sound of the city early morning silence, still drowned by traffic noise: the world outside went on as always and as still Phoebe found herself imprisoned in limbo. Her head felt just a little sore as the result of the wine Christian had offered her the previous night. She yawned, turned over on her side, her glance flickering at the dim light that came in round the cotton curtains. The facts that she was recreating in her mind from the previous evening were too sharp, and that only made her feel more confused.

Christian had been polite, non-aggressive and tolerant all the time. But, as she came to the sitting position and pulled the bedding to cover her chest, she felt guilty. Regret as a result of not being able to reciprocate the warm, loving feelings Christian gave. Guilt for the part of her heart that had never forgotten Seth; that had never let him go.

She got out of the bed and felt the floor with her bare feet, as it was wooden; she then proceeded to the