She rolled over and picked up the phone from the bedside cabinet, and dialled the number for the doctors. She made an appointment for 10.45 and then rang work.

"Gina? It's Sheelagh" She said
"Hello, is everything alright?" Gina asked
"Well no not really, I've had a bit of a rough night, so I'm going to the doctors at 10.45, I was wondering if I could have the day off please?" Sheelagh asked nervously, she didn't think Gina would be very sympathetic about the previous days events
"Yes, that's fine. I hope you feel better soon, take care" Gina replied, in a very matter of fact manner.
"Thanks Gina, bye" Sheelagh managed to say before the phone cut off

Sheelagh got out of bed and put her bathrobe and slippers on, opened the curtains and went downstairs to make some breakfast. Declan sat at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea.

"There's plenty in the pot, just grab a cup" He smiled
"Thanks darling, I thought you were going to bed?" She asked
"I was, but my mouth felt revolting, so I came down for a drink" He answered
Sheelagh laughed "I see"

After that, they sat in silence, Declan finished his drink, looked at his Mum and smiled, "Night....Again"
"Night"

He leant over and kissed her on the cheek and wandered back to bed.

When Sheelagh was finished, she walked back upstairs, got washed and dressed and went back to the kitchen to make some toast. She switched on the TV and watched a chat show. After a while she looked at the clock and decided it was time to go, so she got in the car and headed to the doctors.

There was the usual ridiculous wait, she didn't understand how, with 4 doctors working there, and they opened at 8 o'clock, they could be so far behind already. She picked up a magazine, only to discover it was 3 months old. She sighed. Then the receptionist called her name.

She walked down the passageway to the doctors office and knocked, before walking in and taking a seat.

"Good morning Mrs.." The doctor glanced at his computer screen "Murphy"
"Morning doctor"
"So, what can I do for you?" He asked
"I've been having some trouble sleeping, my dreams are a bit, well, scary" She said, realising she sounded quite paranoid
"How long have you been having this?" The doctor enquired, eyeing her up and down
"Well it started last night" She responded
"Hmmm...And what are you dreaming about?"
"A colleague, well, my ex lover, died yesterday in custody. Every time I close my eyes he starts talking to me, and he seems to know what's going on when I'm awake too" She said, wondering when he'd call security and prescribe a straight jacket
"Well, Mrs Murphy, you may be pleased to know that it's quite normal to feel like the dead are still with us when you've just lost someone you cared about" He said, trying not to sound patronising, but failing miserably. "If you're still having problems in a week, come back and we'll talk about antidepressants and sleeping tablets, or I can refer you to a community psychiatric nurse if you'd prefer"
"NO! No, it's OK thank you. I'm a police officer, it would only do my reputation more harm" She said worriedly
"Well, alright. But still come back in a week if it persists" He said, raising an eyebrow at her rapid response
"Thank you doctor" She sighed but couldn't help thinking 'Thanks for nothing'
"Goodbye Mrs Murphy" The doctor called as she walked to the door