Trying something slightly different this time. Let me know what you think.


It was the perfect end to a terrifying day, for both of them. Julie couldn't begin to imagine what was going through Gill's head as she coordinated the rescue at the RED centre, but she knew that she had to do everything she could possibly do to save her best friend. And she did.

After all of the reports back to various people higher up, she had managed to get away. You'd think that after your best friend being abducted, you'd be given some leniency when it comes to replaying the day's events over and over, remembering the stomach-clenching horror as she watched Gill's journey on the screen and then the nauseating waves of relief as she saw her scramble out of the car.

Julie finally got to Gill's house and was greeted by Sammy, his face bright red from crying. She pulled him into a hug. Not saying a word, he gestured for her to go into the sitting room and went up to his room, leaving her to go and see Gill.

She thought she would be able to keep herself together. She thought she could be the strong one. But on seeing Gill curled up on the sofa, crying into a cushion, she felt as though she was powerless. How would she be able to give anything resembling comfort to someone who had just been through the most harrowing experience of their life?

She did the only thing she could do – she dropped her bag, sat down next to Gill and held her arms out. Both crying, they clung onto each other like the world would end if they broke apart. It was a hug that said a thousand words for them both.

I'm so relieved you're alive

I'm so relieved to be alive

You're my best friend

I couldn't cope without you

I'm sorry I scared you

I don't want to lose you

I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye

You mean too much to me

Thank you for doing everything you could

I love you

They leant back enough to share a kiss. One that reassured each other that it was all over now, Gill was safe and Julie needn't worry about her any longer.

Sammy crept downstairs to check on his mum – she and Julie were being awfully quiet. Seeing them entwined gave him enough peace of mind to leave them to it and he knew that his mum would never be alone again.