Gary perched at the edge of the pub, pint in hand, feeling the situation teeter dangerously between romantic comedy and medical documentary.

Every time he thought he’d recovered, the tooth reminded him it was still very much in charge. His jaw throbbed. His head buzzed. His optimism wavered.

Across the room, the dentist moved with easy confidence, chatting, laughing, completely unaware that Gary’s molar was plotting his downfall.

He could walk away now. Fade out. Become another bloke she vaguely remembered as “that guy with the face.”

Or he could commit. Push through the pain. Accept help. Admit weakness. All deeply uncomfortable concepts.

Gary drained the last of his pint and set the glass down carefully.

Alright. Enough dithering.

Approach her properly and commit → Page 17

Give up and slip out unnoticed → Page 40