Chapter 1

Every morning starts exactly the same for the former mayor. Kathryn comes in at precisely seven am. She lets the black golden doodle out the back garden so he could do his business and have a run round. Noodle, wagged his tail excitedly as she saw the blonde come into the house. He knew when to leave Regina's room and wait at the front door for the blonde.

"Hey baby boy." Kat grinned and they had a quick snuggle and then brought out his filled food and water bowl. The blonde starts the coffee machine, pours a glass of freshly filtered water and grabs Regina a banana. Kathryn makes her way upstairs to the large, opulently designed dark bedroom and finds Regina lay awake in bed. While staring up at the ceiling with a pained expression on her face, she grunts as Kathryn opens the black out curtains. She squints as the rays hit her face and rubs her tired eyes.

Kathryn asked how she slept but like every day for the past year, Regina does not verbally respond. Regina winced as she sat up and moved the pillows that were down her side for comfort, out of the way. Regina scowls as Kathryn gives her the water and banana. She isn't hungry but she can't be bothered dealing with the incessant prompting to eat from her lifelong friend/full time carer. Once the banana and water were finished, Kathryn gives her the medication from the dosette box. For the past year now, her medication has to be stored in a dosette box and locked away in a safe only Kathryn and Ruby know.

Both Regina and Kathryn, Kat as she prefers to be known, are thirty four years old and have known each other since birth. Both sets of parents have been close friends for decades.

Regina hates the fact that she needs carers. Absolutely despises it in fact. However, she is in too much pain to fight Kathryn this morning and far too tired. Regina transfers into her Quickie wheelchair that was placed next to her luxurious king size bed. Regina scowled at the frame she has to use to help her up in bed and to balance, as she got into her chair. Luckily the room was large enough that she was able to easily turn and navigate around in her chair to access everywhere.

She was still living in her childhood home, well mansion. It was far too big for Regina's needs but she didn't care. She was certainly not going to live in some sort of supported living dwelling with a load of old people, she thought to herself with distaste. Her parents made sure her home was adapted with everything she needed. This included through floor lifts so as no area was left out of reach for the ex mayor.

With her perma-scowl in place she pushed herself to her en-suite bathroom to make use of the facilities. Once relived, Regina opened the door again and with a nod of her head, she pointed Kathryn to the bath. Kathryn smiled and was extremely grateful that Regina had started to show a little more care in her personal hygiene. The angry brunette would at least wash most days and was starting to have a shower or bath at least once or twice a week. Kat thought she was going to have to maybe blackmail her to just wash. A few times the thought of putting the hose on her did come up. Luckily for Regina she never really considered it... for too long anyway.

Kathryn, as usual, was talking to Regina and telling her all about her night. She hated to be silent too long and hoped one day Regina will finally speak properly and tell her to shut the hell up. She had been mute to everyone for around a year now. Other than when she was alone with Noodle, her therapy dog. She would then say a few commands but nothing more than a word or two. She just couldn't face talking anymore. Some days the crippling weight of her depression and anxiety made her think she would never speak again. Regina certainly didn't want to be around people. However, Kathryn her full time carer and Ruby her part time one, made sure she was well looked after and safe.

Kathryn helped get Regina undressed and into the bath, where warm bubbles were waiting for her. Regina sat on the seat and pressed the remote to lower her into the water so she was half submerged. Regina sighed at the strong lavender smell that permeated the air. Days of having a scolding hot shower and bath were long gone as they would only exasperate her condition. Reluctantly she had to do with barely above luke warm baths.

The warm water, bath salts and lavender oil were helping to relieve some of the stiffness in her legs. But the pain in the base of her back was feeling so prominent. She had to wriggle to find a position that would be the least painful. Kathryn put the bell on the side of the bath for her.

"I'll just be in the bedroom or the kitchen. Ring that once you are ready to come out or need any help, okay?"

Regina closed her eyes and gave a barely there nod as she managed to find a position that was just about okay on her back.

Kathryn left the room and went to work on changing the bedding. Regina opened her eyes again after a few minutes and looked up at the ceiling. She still struggled believing this was her life now, a full time wheelchair user with no job and no hope for the future. She pinched her thigh when she felt a lump in her throat and scolded herself for even thinking about crying. At that point Noodle pushed open the door and pattered across the marble to Regina. He placed his head over the bath tub and licked Regina's face, sensing she was upset. Regina let out half a laugh and sob as he did that. She wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist and then gently stroked his soft curls on the top of his head.

Noodle was one of the very few reasons she was still here.