Alone in her room, Daphne looked around, remembering the long talks and laughs she'd shared with Norene. It was like being back in college.
Of course college wasn't anywhere near this luxurious.
Her living quarters were equivalent to a room at a five star hotel, and the University of Manchester certainly didn't have an enormous lap pool, or a caring and supportive therapist like Gloria. Nor did they have healthy and delicious gourmet meals; far from it.
Just two months ago, she had no idea how she would ever get through this food addiction. She didn't even realize that she had problem, until it was too late.
Thank goodness for Dr. Crane. She knew she'd never be able to repay him for sending her here.
Oh, she'd thanked him profusely each time he called to check on her, and he'd always responded the same way;
"Daphne, the fact that you've made Niles the happiest man in the world is more than enough gratitude."
Even now, the kind words brought tears to her eyes.
She missed Niles terribly, but it wouldn't be long now.
As if by fate, she heard the unmistakable sound of a car pulling into the parking lot down below.
Her heart racing, she ran to the window and looked out, smiling when she realized that it wasn't Niles' silver Mercedes, but a bloody pickup truck! Boy she felt sorry for the woman who had to ride home in that thing!
Dismayed she went back to her bed and sat down, feeling more nervous than ever. She felt like a teenager about to go on her first date.
To pass the time, she opened her suitcase and checked for what had to be the hundredth time to make sure she had everything packed. When she saw the framed picture of Niles, she slid it out from under the piles of new clothes-clothes that she never dreamed she'd be able to wear. She stared at Niles' picture and smiled. He was so incredibly handsome.
When she'd first arrived here, it seemed to be the only thing that kept her sane; knowing that he was counting on her. It was a great motivator, because although she loved the fact that he said he would love her no matter what, she wanted so much to feel beautiful for him; and to like herself again.
Norene was right. Niles would be absolutely stunned when he saw her. Not that she looked that bad before. In fact, she thought she looked pretty good!
But now she had control of her eating habits and was determined not to fall victim to junk food ever again. The only thing those foods did was cause trouble, according to Gloria.
The woman was a godsend! She was sympathetic, sweet, kind and determined to help Daphne through what Daphne felt was a traumatic ordeal.
Gloria showed her how to work through her problems without overeating; something Daphne never dreamed she'd be able to conquer.
Niles was bound to be proud of her, and Heaven knows she was proud of him.
At that moment, time seemed to be moving much too slowly.
But she knew Niles would be here any minute, and she could hardly wait to be in the arms of the man she loved.