After a week of holding everything together, I find myself alone in my house, sitting on the sofa, wine in hand, staring at the darkened window, drizzle and chill air outside... black hills in the distance... no sound out there, not even an owl.

I won't see anyone for the next two days.

I have a boyfriend, a caring and cool person, but he's away.

The week has taken so much out of me. I don't know how I can keep doing it again and again.