Tessa woke up; coloured blotches met her and she blinked to try and clear the mist from her eyes. She waved a hand in front of her eyes; something pink flew across her vision, making her jump. There was a minute of confusion before she remembered where she was.

She heard the door lock, followed by hinges, footsteps, and the clatter of a tray. 'You slept through breakfast, my friend, so I gave it to the lab rats. Lunch, however, is tuna sandwiches, crisps and orange juice.'

Tessa shook her head. 'Not hungry.'

She heard the man’s breathing change: slower, more deliberate. 'Oh, I made it myself; no arsenic or anything, I guarantee.'

'Sorry, still not hungry.'

She felt breathing right next her cheek. She moved away and nearly fell off the bed; hands grabbed her.

'Careful, can’t have you hurting yourself, can we!' She was pulled back upright and the tray was placed on her lap. 'I do suggest you eat it or it’ll be chloroform and vitamin injections for you, my friend. And I must admit I don’t have any particularly small needles, so it will hurt, and I really don’t want to hurt you. ' A gloved hand brushed her cheek; she shivered.

'I’d just make a mess; I can’t see anything.'

A hand grabbed hers. 'I’ll help; I’ve got a half an hour to spare, my friend, and we can talk.' She felt a glass being pressed into her hand. 'It’s not that full so don’t worry about spilling it.' The figure by her side helped her drink and eat something.

Tessa forced herself to be calm during the meal; the man was always so close to her she could feel and hear his breath. His hands were strong and without her sight she didn’t think she could have fought him and won, so she sat and talked a little, ate a little. She felt utter repulsion for him for some reason, even though she had never set eyes on him. Eventually she decided it was the tone of his voice: it was so eager and in some weird way, hungry, as if he was savouring her every word.

Eventually she heard footsteps across the room -- high heels, she thought. She heard the sound change to carpet and then the woman’s voice came at her from the doorway. 'You should not be in here, Doctor. Your work is far from complete.'

Tessa felt movement by her as the man bobbed at the woman in the doorway. 'Loss of sight is very hard on the bearer; the young lady was having trouble eating.'

'Even so, she can manage. Out of here, now; deliver her meals through the slot as arranged.' Tessa felt the man get up and leave in, as far as she could tell, a sulky manner.

The heels came closer. 'I would not encourage the doctor, my dear; he isn’t...good with humans.' There was a brief spurt of laughter. The heels clicked out the door, leaving her alone again.