“I know she’s there.”

I froze. So did the soft, warm body pressed up against my leg. Every muscle inside me tightened.I held my breath. A scratchy, tickle of a cough threatened to explode. I swallowed it down. Just breathe.

One, two, three, in.

One, two, three, out.

“Are you listening?”

The faint ringing in my ears got louder. She sounded so far away. Was I listening? All I could think about was noise. Trying not to make any. Willing us both to stay silent.

I had never felt such intent love for anyone before I met Joby. At least, not outside of my family. A love so fierce and loyal. I knew she felt the same way about me. I could see it in her eyes every time she looked at me.

We waited together. An unspoken bond between us knew this was just a matter of time. If only we could hold on for a bit longer.

“I can hear her breathing, you know.”

Could she? My sister’s bed was on the other side of the room under the sash window. The crumbly wooden frames strained under the wind. I wanted to pull my duvet tighter, but I didn’t dare move.

Joby understood. So clever, my little shadow. A bundle of fluffy black fur given tome on my twelfth birthday. My own dog after years of pleading. She used to curl up inside the sleeve of my cardigan. Now, fully grown, she only ever wanted to sleep in my bed, under the covers.

Maybe if I don’t respond, she’ll stop. My gorgeous big sister, who didn’t want the dog sleeping in her room.

Our room.

I waited.

Silence.

Then the creak of shifting weight. A rustle of a duvet. Please don’t come over.

A long, disgruntled sigh of defeat drifted across the dark.

She wasn’t getting up. She was giving in.

We had won.

‍