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Ali beams with pride.

“I don’t get it,” I say.

“I mean, the consequence of our actions are never going to be easy to accept. But whatever it is, it’s going to be okay. We can help.”

I huff in frustration. “I don’t know. My sins are pretty bad.”

“Well, move over. If you have sins to cleanse, I sure as hell have more,” Ali says, kicking off her shoes and standing in the tub and lowering herself, fully clothed in her sweatpants and sweatshirt she was wearing.

I burst into laughter as the water splashes over the side.

“Make room for my pregnant ass,” Ria says, taking off her jumper, so she’s left in a stretchy back dress that showcases her perfect bump.

I move to the middle of the tub and sling my legs over the side so they hang over the edge, knowing Ria will need the width of the tub. The water rises when she gets in and more water splashes over the side and we fall into a fit of giggles. The three of us look ridiculous, sat fully dressed in the bathtub.

A moment of silence falls between us all. I know they are waiting for me to spill, but where to begin.

As if they can read my thoughts, each of them takes a hand and squeezes it.

Ali is the first to speak. “Why don’t you start at the beginning, little G.”

“Yes, and don’t leave anything out…” Ria says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

I take in a deep breath and exhale.

“Girls, I really messed up…’

I’m not sure how long we’ve been sat in the bathtub, but Ria has topped up the hot water twice to keep us warm. I told them everything. Every sordid detail, every secret I have been keeping for months.

“So yeah, that’s everything.” I say, flicking the water, waiting for one of them to speak.

“That’s… a lot,” Ali says. I nod.

“And you quit working at Diamonds?” Ria asks.

“Yeah, I wasn’t stripping. Can I stress that again.”

“Babe, we couldn’t care if you did. We’d be there with a wad of dollar bills cheering you on,” Ali says, and Ria nods in agreement.

I sniff. I really do have the best friends. They don’t judge, they just listen. Every girl needs friends like that.

“Gabs, you could have come to us,” Ria says softly.

“I know but you had just got married and found out about the baby. I didn’t want to ruin any of that, and Ali,” I say, turning to face her.

“You had the court case and everything you were going through. I just figured I could handle it all. I didn’t want to burden anyone with it.” I hang my head in shame, my nose burning with the threat of tears.

“You are not a burden,” Ali says.

“No, never,” Ria echoes.

“Can we make a promise: to never, ever think we are a burden to each other again? I don’t care if I’m in labor, if you need me, you call me, got it, both of you,” Ria says firmly.

“Agreed, anytime, it doesn’t matter,” Ali says.

“Agreed.” I sniff.

“I told Brad everything,” I say quietly, flicking the water with my index finger and thumb.