Caroline

Caroline walks down the rain-soaked street, her leopard print shirt clinging to her as the wind whips through the city. Her baby sleeps soundly in the buggy, unaware of the storm raging around them. With a cane in one hand and a bag slung over her shoulder, she clutches a crumpled flyer in her other hand—a beacon of hope in her time of need. ‘I see a notice on a shop’s window,’ she thinks, her heart racing with a mix of fear and determination. ‘Someone’s looking for a flat mate.’ She makes her way to the address, her mind a whirlwind of anxiety and hope. As she rings the bell, she rehearses her words: ‘Uhm, hello there… I’ve come about the room. The one you’ve got going.’ Her voice is soft but steady, carrying the weight of her circumstances. Behind her, the city continues its relentless pace, but for Caroline, everything hinges on this moment.