Zoe sits back and takes everything in. She remembers how it was to be a teenager: frightened that no one wants you, trying to find your way in a world that is suddenly much bigger and scarier than you could ever have imagined. And Sharice's world has been much bigger and scarier than Zoe's had ever been. To grow up in such an unstable household, to have your parents die in such a brutal, tragic way, to be dragged from pillar to post, to have half of the most secure family you had ever known ripped away so suddenly. To have known such pain and anger at the age of just fourteen. She takes the girl in her arms and holds her close, kissing the top of her head.
"Please, Zoe, I can't go back there. Whenever she looks at me I know that she's blaming me for granddad, she thinks it's my fault that he died. I can't live with her knowing that."
"Sharice, of course you can stay with me. Everything will be fine, I promise"
"Are you sure you don't mind? I know you're really busy with work and everything, I don't want to be a burden…"
"Look at me." Zoe holds Sharice at arm's length and tells her straight. "Yes, I'm busy, and my work life is pretty hectic, but you are my priority. I am so, so sorry that I haven't been in touch recently, and that I didn't even know that you were back in Holby, or about your granddad, but I am here for you now. Anything you want, need, you've got me. We can face this together, OK?"
Sharice nods tearfully and squeezes Zoe's hand.
"Now. I need to get back to work, or they'll skin me alive, but I'll see if I can get off early, and we can get a takeaway and go back to mine. We will be OK, Sharice, I promise."
Sharice smiles gently. As Zoe leaves, she settles back into the sofa, and, drained and exhausted, she falls asleep, quicker and more easily than she has for weeks.