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“They can step into others’ shoes, you mean.”
“Exactly. It helps people understand the motivations and pressures behind behaviour.”
Frances studied her. “You’re really passionate about all this.”
“I am, and I miss it.”
“But you’re not going back?” Frances said, too quickly.
“It’s unlikely. The NGO I was working for lost their main funder.”
“Couldn’t you find other funding sources?”
“Not enough to keep it running. I couldn’t wait around for something to come up, especially not on a work visa. I need to make a new plan here.” She glanced down, tucking her hands between her thighs. “Plus, it would be unfair to my dad. He’d be the last to admit it, but he needs me around more.”
Frances understood that.
“Can you find a similar role here?”
“Maybe, but I’d like to move into the drama therapy side rather than administration. That means returning to university to get a master’s degree.”
“Where?”
“London.”
“Oh.” The word slipped out before Frances could stop it. Thinking on her feet, she added, “How does your dad feel about that?”
“I haven’t mentioned it yet, but he knows I’m unlikely to stick around here, though I’ll be much closer than before.”
A tightness struck Frances in the chest. She sucked in a breath.
“Are you okay?” Lucie asked.
“Yes. I’m just wondering how I’ll manage without you, and how I coped until now.”
“This is the hardest thing you’ll ever go through, but you will get through it,” Lucie said gently. “You already are, even if it doesn’t feel like it or if some days are tougher than others.”
A warm hand settled on top of Frances’s and spread into her skin, settling somewhere dangerously close to her heart. For a moment, she allowed herself to lean into it, to draw strength from it even.
Lucie’s thumb moved, a small caress that made Frances’s breath hitch. She wanted to take her hand, to find out how it felt in hers. Then, Lucie stopped, gave a soft pat, and withdrew her hand. Frances hadn’t realised how much she’d needed the touch until it was gone.
“I should go,” Lucie said quietly. “It’s getting late.”
“I’ll see you out,” Frances said, rising beside her. As they reached the hallway, she turned to her guest. “Are you sure I can’t pay you?”
“I’d rather keep it casual, if that’s okay with you?”
“Casual,” Frances echoed. “Of course.”
What else could it be with Lucie’s contract up in a matter of weeks?
“Thanks again for dinner,” Lucie said, reaching for her coat.
“Thank you for staying. It made a nice change to have some— ” Frances stopped.
“Some what?”
“I was going to say adult company, but…”
