Nora awoke to the sound of her mobile buzzing on the pillow beside her. Her groan was immediate, but the loathing she felt quickly disappeared when she realised only one person would consider ringing her in the morning. So, with a small sigh she rolled onto her back, claiming the mobile with a tug so that it was released from the charger before answering the call.

"Good morning, sis," Her brother's voice called out, as she acknowledged the ceiling of his kitchen, appear on her screen. Why Leo had such a fascination with face time, and in particular, why it occurred in the early hours were questions that Nora considered to probe, but as usual, she put the thoughts behind her, as she awaited the reason behind her brother's call. "Jeez Nor, you could at least wash your face,"

The younger sister could only roll her eyes, ignoring the panda like circles that appeared in the frame. Truthfully, she did look quite a mess. Her mascara had ran, causing smears on her face and on the hotel pillow...which hopefully she wouldn't get charged for, perhaps she should flip the pillows before they leave-

"Nora," her brother interrupted the running thoughts and she returned her attention to the screen, where Leo's brown eyes...her eyes, stared back at her. "Did you hear what I said?" She shook her head. "Dad's getting married,"

It seemed Leo expected her to be shocked by the announcement, but their mother had already beaten him to the chase just two days prior. "I know," She confessed with a shrug.

"You...know?"

"Yeah, mama told me," She added, moving to a seated position and hunching over the device, in a way that caused her red hair to frame her face like a lion's face.

"Well then, why haven't you RSVP'd?" The older brother scolded as she sighed. As much as she loved her brother, that love did not continue the moment he began his self-righteous act.

"Because I don't know if I'll make it," She confessed with a shrug, "I told you, Ali and I were extending our trip,"

"Yes, but I didn't realise that included missing our own father's wedding. He wants you there Nor,"

"Well he must do, if he's got you hounding me," She retorted, allowing new anger to burn her stomach as she raised her voice.  "So much so, he didn't even have the courtesy to even tell me,"

"Well you know the two of you haven't always got on, but what about Leah?" The mention of her step-mother to be did well to simmer the heat fuelling her emotions but she swallowed the guilt attempting to stick to her point. "I know you love her, so don't say you don't", He reminded, killing the bubble of denial that had started to build the moment he had mentioned her step-mother-to-be's name.

And it was true. Leah had been nothing but kind to Nora ever since they had met. She'd always bought her sweets, and no one could top her birthday presents, including the brand new icing set that Nora knew hadn't been cheap and had been on her Amazon wish list for what felt like decades.
Still, though Leah wasn't the catalyst for destroying her parent's marriage, she had been the one to lift her father's spirits. She'd changed him, and perhaps it was for the better, but Nora couldn't see the positive that Leo and her mother had identified.

No, her father had leaned on a stranger to find his way back to humanity, and amidst it all, she'd become lost. No longer tethered to either parent and no longer needed in their lives, or her brother's  as they each found their way to new happiness.

"The wedding's on Saturday...he wants you there, well all do" Leo added, his tone softened with knowing sympathy. Part of the train wreck that impacted Nora's relationship with her father, was partly because her brother had left her to deal with the divorce on her own, and though it was a topic untouched, after four years, Leo hadn't quite forgiven himself. Still, it wasn't the source of their dispute, and so Nora added:

"Well then, he can tell me himself," She knew her response was childish, but switching off the device and smothering herself back into the cocoon of duvets was a far better reality to face. Still, knowing her father was getting married, and the unseen text message from her mother the night before, including the invite were indicators that her family were far more aware of the situation than she was. Heck, even the woman he'd divorced, was invited to the wedding, which was in as little as four days time.

It was unfair on Nora to have been put in this position...once again...and she sighed, moving her gaze to the dozing cat, who'd claimed the armchair, instead of his bed. He sure was lazy, and she sighed, wishing she could be the same. 

But it seemed her fatigue had been erased and so she opened her mother's contact and typed a message that would likely inspire anger, and disappointment. The only two real emotions her mother had ever felt about her daughter. 

"I have to travel a little longer than expected," She typed, "might not make the wedding, we shall see" She pressed send before she could reconsider her actions, and threw her phone  once more, staring at the twinkling light above.

Nora needed a hot chocolate, and so instead of returning to sleep, she slipped into the cold, and padded her way into the bathroom, to brush her teeth and greet the panda eyes that met her at the mirror. Sleeping with make up on had dire consequences, but a little soap and water went a long way.
Silence echoed through the door that led to Ali's bedroom, and she could only presume he was asleep as she returned to her own space, and search for some clothes to wear.
The weather appeared to be crisp from a glance of her window, and since the majority of her morning would be spent driving, she opted for comfort- her wide-leg dungarees, paired with a green sweater underneath. She did not have the energy for skinny jeans today.

"I think we'll head to Edinburgh today," She announced to herself. A few nights in a beautiful city might be exactly what she needed, and it was supposed to be beautiful. The Lake District was also a stop on the way home...and so was Manchester.

Going to the wedding would have to be an after thought however, and though it had caused her to pause brushing the snarls out of her hair, her hard stomach was enough to swallow the notion and escape the confines of her room. 

Billy had awoken during the time she had dressed, and she scratched his ears before fetching him some food. Ali had left all of the cat's belongings, including the food and litter tray, in her room, and on second thought, she realised that the smell leaking from the white box was horrifying. These cases were supposed to keep all smells concealed, but now that she'd caught a waft, her shudder was immediate.

She began cleansing the air by opening the window, and for a moment, she lingered, inhaling the sharp, cool air, grateful that it offered her some respite. She then planned to spray her perfume...everywhere, but the knock on the bathroom door provided her with a new option for reprieve.

"Good morning," She grinned, opening the door wide. Ali immediately sniffled, his nose wrinkling in distaste as she nodded in agreement. "Yes, I was hoping you would be able to sort that out. It looks like Billy did a number and-"

"I'm not touching his litter tray," He decided as she met his eyes, her jaw lowering in surprise. "What? But...he stinks!"

"I only knocked because I need you to clean the sink..." He expressed, and her brows furrowed in confusion. It was undoubtedly a way to change the topic, but the moment she understood what he was referring to, she'd drag him by the ear if she needed to. This was his cat, and she wouldn't be taking any responsibility; Ali was lucky that she even fed Billy; cleaning his tray was a new level of care, entirely.

"What's wrong with the sink?"

"It's got tooth paste on it" He answered, and the bubble of laughter spilt from her lips before she could prevent it. "I can't use a dirty sink," he added, and her humour immediately dimmed as she met his gaze.

"But it's a sink...the water-"

"I just can't", he stressed, "Please could you clean it so that I can take this disgusting taste out of my mouth!" Had it been anyone else, Nora knew she would have rolled her eyes and forced the person to deal with their issues. Ali wasn't just anybody, however, and his concern was profound. Nora could only nod in agreement, and the breath he held, from desperation, released as his shoulders finally relaxed.

"I'll do it," She promised, "but please clean up Billy's litter tray; I can't stand the smell any longer!"

Nora didn't leave Ali any choice as she stepped around him and into the small bathroom. She couldn't detect anything amiss, but it was likely that whatever Ali saw was invisible to her eyes. With a small sigh, she claimed a cloth from the basket and...cleaned the sink, until it was dry and untouched. It was perhaps one of the weirdest things she had ever done, and yet she completed the task and ensured there were no spills on the white tile either, just to be safe.

She returned to her room to see Ali crouched a metre away from the litter box, gloves on, and a waste bag in hand. And he was shaking.

"Ali?" She questioned, and he looked towards her, his eyes filled with unprecedented terror.

"I can't do it," He heaved, the paleness of his skin and the sweat beading on his brow further indications that he was going to be sick. "I can't do it...he's not my cat!"

And then Ali rocked on the balls of his feet and ran out of the room, leaving her to glance at the cat, who only rested his head on his paws, as if this behaviour was the expected norm. Despite his hobble, and for being an elder man, he was fast, and Nora had no choice but to follow.

***

Ali could feel Nora's clumsy movements behind him as he raced towards the gardens. He didn't quite know why he sought to go outside, but that's where he was hoping to go, knowing that the fresh air would do him some good. Realising that he hadn't even brushed his teeth yet, bile was encouraged to build at the back of his mouth, but he swallowed away his panic as he pushed forward, Nora less than ten steps behind. He hadn't expected her to follow, and he hadn't looked back, but she was heavy-footed, and it would have almost been amusing, hadn't Ali felt the build of a panic attack.

The door opened to the chilly air of Inverness. Red leaves sparkled under the shining sun, and the grass was wet with fresh dew...and Ali didn't have any shoes on. His socks were immediately wet through, but he paused his thoughts and immediately shuddered a breath, forcing his lungs to fill with fresh air.

"Ali?" Her voice was small and tentative, and when he opened his eyes, he could see that his road trip companion was more concerned than angry. Still, the moment she raised her hand, the flinch was inevitable. Yet, Nora only smiled, and her brown eyes screamed compassion as she lowered her hand and asked if he was okay.

It was a daft question, however, and his breathing was yet to be something measurable. Still, Nora didn't seem to understand what was happening to him at all. Despite being out in the open, the breeze caressing  his cheekbones, sweat was beginning to irritate his skin, and the countless other sensations he felt overwhelmed him, failing his ability to calm himself.

Time seemed to be passing incredibly slowly, and he hated it. Moreover, he despised that this was the person he had become. Ali had suffered anxious spells from a young age, but this loss of control, this festering feeling that he could no longer determine life's outcome, was suffocating. If he had a moment to reflect, he might have considered that the past few days with Nora had been the longest in a while that he hadn't struggled, but no such positivity could come to mind.

Not when the woman in front of him had no idea what she was doing. In the mere seconds, he had closed his eyes re-calibrated his breathing; his companion had done the same, only she appeared to be even more so out of breath, and her cheeks were startling red, as a result of the force.
As awful as it sounded, however, Ali didn't have the mental space to stop Nora before she caused herself to pass out. So instead, he folded up upon himself, crouching low to duck his head between his knees, counting each passing second so that the fear and angst could slowly release him from their clutches.

It may have been a minute or even half an hour; truthfully, Ali did not know, but when he finally found the courage to open his eyes, as he had expected, Nora came into view. Only, she was lying down, likely wet from the grass, with her eyes closed and her hands across her stomach. A spike of panic tingled his spine, but as if she detected his movement, her eyes opened, and she confirmed she was well, with a majestic smile.

"Feeling better?" She asked, curling upwards so that she could meet his eyes. The contact had always made Ali feel uncomfortable, but at this moment, with wet feet and...and the terrible taste of sleep still in his mouth, somehow, he was able to ignore his concerns and nod in response to her answer.
"So that was a panic attack," Nora wasn't asking him, she was telling him, and when he bobbed his head once more, not quite prepared to use his breath, to his surprise, she laughed.

"You had a panic attack....because, I asked you to clean Billy's litter tray," she reiterated. This time, she chuckled so hard, she also snorted, and the sound only continued to shock him as he waited for Nora to explain. "Oh Ali," She grinned, wiping below her eyes, "next time you don't want to do something, just tell me, okay. You just need to communicate it, I won't ignore your concerns,"

It was only at this moment that he realised Nora was not laughing at him, but because of the situation they had faced, and to his wonderment, he wasn't offended. He was...relieved, and when she moved to her feet, he took her hand willingly, waiting until she had entered the doors before removing the plastic gloves and lathering his hands with sanitiser. He'd need a shower immediately, but for all that it was worth, he could see a shed of light. A slight hint of acknowledgement, that Nora Torres was more than just the woman who had helped him retrieve his daughter's cat but that she was slowly becoming a friend.