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“What?”

“Well, you know we’re usually done up and out and about, aren’t we?” She rubbed Alice’s upper arm, in what was probably intended to be a tender gesture, but it made Alice’s insides squirm. Fran swung around, taking in the room.

“I was wrong about your flat before. Having spent the afternoon here, it’s actually quite pleasant. A lick of paint here and there, and perhaps some new curtains, it could be —”

“Fran, why are you still here?”

Fran scoffed. “Charming! I wanted to see you. Patch things up after our little spat.”

Alice closed her eyes and breathed in through her nose. “What world are you living in?”

“Oh, Alice. Don’t be so melodramatic!”

Alice tensed her jaw to clamp down on the scream building inside her.Why won’t she fucking leave?

“Sit yourself down and I’ll pour you a glass — it’s delicious, for a white. And let’s just have a little chat. If you don’t feel differently afterwards, I’ll go. I promise.”

With a shaky exhale, Alice conceded and limped to the couch. Moments later, Fran shuffled up next to her and passed her a glass, which she clinked with her own.

Alice took a large sip and swished it around her dry mouth.

Fran leaned in, arranging her lips into a conciliatory smile as she rested a warm hand on Alice’s thigh. “Look, I’m sorry you got upset with me. I really am. I didn’t mean to?—”

Alice growled in frustration. She moved to clench her fists, butpain shot up her arm.Fuck.Fran bristled and sat up straight, widening the gap between them.

“Are you going to continue behaving like a petulant child, or will you hear me out? What I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry you got the wrong end of the stick about everything.”

Alice chewed her lip.

“It’s possible I led you to believe that I was going to leave my husband. And, whilst Jeremy may drive me wild, he and I… well, let’s just say we have our arrangements.”

Alice scoffed. “Arrangements?”

“Yes, I understand you’ve been clued in now. Jeremy appreciates that I have certain needs… and I’ve smoothed things over with him about all this, so you needn’t worry. You can have your little job back. No rush, take some time — whenever you’re ready.”

Alice’s eyes widened, and she shook her head.Is she for-fucking-real?

Fran leaned in and rubbed Alice’s thigh again.

“Oh, and there’s another thing. Jeremy has agreed for you and me to go on a trip together. So, let’s get it booked up before you go back to work.”

The material of Alice’s robe bunched under Fran’s hand as it crept higher.

“Imagine us sitting out at sunset, sipping a Barolo amongst the Italian vines. Dipping our toes in the delicious pool, swimming… naked, under the stars. I can’t wait. It’s all arranged. You just need to book the flights with Jeremy’s credit card.” Fran inhaled and closed her eyes. “Mmm,” she murmured as if transported there already.

Alice stared down at Fran’s hand, the platinum band on her ring finger glinting in the light. She’d always felt so guilty when she caught sight of it before, but now she saw it for what it was —Fran’s meal ticket. Jeremy’s collar.Fine if it suited them, but Alice wanted no part of it.

She cleared her throat and Fran’s eyes flickered open. Her serene smile faltered when she saw it wasn’t reflected on Alice’s face.

“Have you finished saying what you have to say?” Alice asked with a confidence she didn’t realise she had, especially in the presence of Fran.

Fran sat up, her hand falling away from Alice’s inner thigh.

“You’ve really got gaslighting down to a fine art, haven’t you? You’re like the fucking goddess of gaslighting. Believe it or not, I don’t want mylittlejob back. I don’t want you back. And I don’t want anything to do with whatever twisted shit you and Jeremy have going on.”

Fran stiffened and sniffed. “You’re skating on very thin ice, Alice. You know I’m not a patient woman.”

Alice laughed, surprising herself almost as much as Fran.How had I ever thought this woman had it all together? That a life with her would be anything but chaos and heartache?