As she sat down in front of the computer, Anna’s throat tightened. Her chest felt heavy, and an uncomfortable tingling spread at the nape of her neck. She sprang from the chair.

Mornings are the hardest. Lately, she’s been freezing terribly. It’s warm inside already, but those few meters between her car and her home, or her workplace, are brutal. Her teeth chatter, and she feels like she’s going to die.

It was already past ten, but the dense cloud hanging over the valley had no intention of clearing. Tamara stood on the terrace, lips pursed. She needed to get going soon, but the basket was still full of laundry waiting to be hung.

Eyes closed, she enjoyed the silence and the way the hairdresser washed her hair. Finally, someone who understood that there was no talking during work. At least, not with her. Because she was her. And with her, unsolicited conversation was strictly off-limits.

Four or five people were standing against the wall opposite the counter in the corner burger joint. Outside, the two-degree-below-zero temperature had turned their cheeks red. Those who had placed their orders stepped aside with their coats draped over their arms, staring blankly, waiting for someone to call their order number.

"Excuse me," a young man’s voice sounded behind her.

Lia slowed down and turned around. A smiling face looked back at her on the residential sidewalk.

"How can I help you?" she asked, and couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear herself.

"Okay, done, I sent it!"

Marie-Anne tossed her phone onto the couch with a flushed face. Her hands were still shaking, and even her knees felt weak. She took a long, slow breath, finding it took longer to calm down than she had expected. To distract herself, she walked out into the tiny, artificial grass-covered yard and sprawled out on the soft plastic rug.

"Relax," Lucy reassured her worried friend, "I’ll take care of him like he’s my own. No little floozy will get near him while I’m around," she smiled, flashing her gleaming white teeth.

"Mom, look at this cool sweater! Can I get one?" the little girl exclaimed excitedly.

She impatiently tugged at her mother's wrist when she didn’t look toward the desired piece of clothing even after several attempts.

The doorbell rang. A long ring. Twice in a row. Isabel was already irritated. Why did they have to press the button so hard? The first ring was loud enough. She took a deep breath. "It’s just a few hours. I’ll survive."