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“Does Truscote know about the affair?”

Alice nodded gravely.

Maggie placed her hands flat on the rough wooden tabletop and looked Alice square in the eye.

“Al, you need to resign. Francesca Dalton is a woman scorned and she’ll lash out when she doesn’t get what she wants. If you’re serious about ending things with her, then you’re probably going to lose your job anyway.”

Alice chewed her lip, processing Maggie’s words and their implications with a slow nod.

“I’ll speak to Markus. Perhaps there are some suitable roles at his place? They’re always looking for new assistants.”

Alice scoffed. “And why do you think that is?”

Maggie stiffened. “Low blow, Alice. I’m sitting here trying to help you and, needless to say, we both showed up for you today.”

Alice raised her hands in apology.

Maggie pursed her lips and fixed her gaze out of the window.

Alice reached across to her. “Mags, I’m sorry. It just came out. I’ve never forgiven Markus for hurting you.” Alice stared up into Maggie’s face as she rubbed her sister’s palms with her thumbs.

“What about you, Alice? You’re no better, carrying on with a married woman all this time. I thought you liked Jeremy?—”

“I do like Jeremy. What I had with Fran… you make it sound like some sordid affair, but it was different. I can’t explain it.”

“It was no different. Why can’t you see that? Someone was still being cheated on. Someone was always going to get hurt.”

Alice sat back and folded her arms. “Like I said, it’s over. So, you were right. Well done, Maggie, Queen of I-Fucking-Told-You-So.”

After an impasse, the expressions of the scowling sisters softened. Maggie spoke first, leaning across the table to cup Alice’s cheek with her hand.

“Let’s not fight, Al. I hate to see you hurting.”

“Me too. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be cruel about Markus, and I am ashamed of?—”

“Shh! Don’t say it. You’ve been so brave and I’m proud of you. You’ll soon feel better about all of this.”

Alice forced a smile. “I hope so, Mags, because I can’t feel much worse.”

* * *

The knackeredFiesta roared back to life.

“Huzzah!” Markus pumped his fist in the air like it was a major triumph of the human race. He unclipped the jump leads from the battery and let the bonnet slam with a metallicthunk.

“I’ll chuck these in the back for you. You’ll need them again before I do.” Markus gestured to his shiny Range Rover.Smug prick.Then, in an almost overwhelming display of empathy (by Markus’s standards), he patted Alice roughly on the shoulder with his bear-paw-like hand and said, “Take care now, won’t you?”

Alice opened her mouth to reply, but before any words could be uttered, Markus had once again ensconced himself in his car to resume shouting at the radio.

Maggie pulled Alice into a hug.

“Plug that phone back in, Al. And call me when you’re home, okay?”

“Thanks again, Mags. For everything.”

Maggie held Alice out at arm’s length. “Come over in the week and I’ll cook. Markus will be home late on Tuesday. We’ll open a bottle and chat, or watch a film, whatever you need. Just don’t be on your own when you’re like this.”

“I’m fine.”