Theresa’s head appeared through the small gap. Her eyes went wide as she caught sight of Sarah lying prone and naked on the bed, her hands wrapped around the metal bed head and her coverings on the floor. In the dim moonlight that came through the window she could make out a thin film of sweat on her beautiful, smooth skin. She looked small and vulnerable and Theresa wanted to comfort her, but also to take things wherever they might lead. But instead of doing either of these things she stood in the doorway and adopted an innocent expression.

“Another dream?” Theresa said. Sarah nodded. At least she hadn’t asked if it was a bad dream, because it had been a very good one and Sarah was not going to lie to her. “Do you want company for a while?”

Sarah shook her head. “I’m fine,” she said, although part of her did crave some company, especially after her ostracism had denied it to her for much of the day. But she was too embarrassed to accept Theresa’s help.

“Just knock if you need anything,” Theresa said with a smile, more than a little disappointed that she hadn’t been invited in. Well, she thought, at least that fantasy was nipped at the bud if nothing else.

Read the rest of the story in The Rules of the Convent