**Diary Entry, 12th October 2023**
Emily was still asleep when the sharp knock at the door shattered the quiet of a Saturday morning. Startled, she sat up in bed. Who could be here so early? She wasn’t expecting anyone.
Opening the door, she froze. Standing on her doorstep were her colleagues—Lucy, Natalie, and Beth. Lucy held a Thermos, while Natalie carried a box with a freshly baked Victoria sponge.
“What are you doing here?!” Emily gasped. “It’s the weekend!”
“That’s exactly why we’re here,” Lucy said, stepping inside as if she owned the place. “Where’s your daughter?”
“Charlotte’s asleep… What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Natalie replied gently. “Pack a bag for her and yourself. You’re coming with us to a countryside retreat. No arguments.”
Emily stared, bewildered. A retreat? Now?
“But I told you at the office I couldn’t go—”
“And we know why,” Natalie said softly. “We’re ashamed we didn’t notice sooner.”
Emily paled.
“What do you mean?”
“We know everything, Emily. That you’ve been raising Charlotte alone since the divorce, that your ex hasn’t paid child support, that you’ve been scraping together her school uniform while skipping meals—yet never breathing a word to anyone.”
Emily stayed silent, a lump rising in her throat.
“I… didn’t want to complain. I thought… I could manage.”
“And you have,” Beth cut in. “But managing isn’t the same as living. We’re your friends, Emily. Friends don’t let friends drown.”
“Everything’s sorted,” Lucy continued. “The lodge is on us—food, travel, all of it. Just bring yourself and Charlotte.”
Emily lowered her eyes, uncomfortable. Accepting help was hard, but worse was sinking in silence.
“But… I don’t even have proper things—”
“You have us,” Lucy said firmly. “Nat brought clothes from her daughter. Everything’s in good condition—perfect for Charlotte starting school.”
“We even sorted her school supplies,” added Matthew, stepping in with a bag. “Pencils, notebooks, sketch pads. All she’ll need.”
Emily swallowed. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Then don’t,” Beth hugged her. “Just trust this—you deserve more than just struggles. You deserve rest, care, and people who’ve got your back.”
Two hours later, their coach rolled out of London. Charlotte dozed on Emily’s lap, clutching her new backpack. Emily stared out the window, fingers curled around the Thermos of tea. For the first time in months, warmth bloomed in her chest.
She hadn’t been lucky in love. But as it turned out, she’d been wildly lucky with the people surrounding her.
**Lesson learned:** Pride keeps you afloat; friends keep you alive.
