You're out with your friends, the music thumping and the laughter echoing around the club. You’re feeling a little tipsy, caught up in the euphoria of the night. Suddenly, your friend sees your eyes glaze over as you pulls out your phone. “I’m calling him,” you say, voice almost challenging.

“Don’t,” one of your friends warns. “You’re just gonna regret it, and he won’t even answer you, remember?.”

But you’re not listening. You’re already dialing Simon, your ex — the military man, the one who disappeared into the shadows of his job, the one who said he’d never leave you. The room quiets for a split second as your thumb hovers over the call button.

“You can’t,” your friends try again, “it’s a bad idea”, but it's too late. You press the button, a defiant smile spreading across your face, “one last time”. You step out of the club, putting the phone to your ear.

They all exchange looks, helpless, knowing you won’t hear them now.

“… Hello?”