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‘Let me be the judge of that,’ the doctor said, pressing two fingers to her wrist.

Margot sighed dramatically but didn’t pull away. ‘My pulse is strong as an ox. If I drop dead, it won’t be from natural causes. It’ll be from sheer boredom.’

‘Aunt Margot, please,’ Paris’s father said, exasperated, hands on his hips. ‘This is serious.’

‘Oh, fine. Do what you must, Doctor. But if you tell me I need rest, I shall be very cross with you.’

Paris, hovering at her side, made all the right noises of concern. ‘Are you hot?’ she asked, taking a tiny paper fan from her clutch and fanning her with it before Aunt Margot could answer. To anyone else, she might have looked like a devoted niece.

But Nancy could see that Paris wasn’t focused on her Great Aunt at all. Her eyes flicked to Ari constantly, her jaw tense. She was not happy that Ari was loose.

‘While my aunt is taken care of, make sureshe’ssecured,’ Paris said, eyes locked on Ari. ‘She could be dangerous.’ She gave a nod to her security gorillas, and they formed a quick barrier around Ari, subtly penning her into a corner.

Ari rolled her eyes at the human prison. ‘Sweet Jesus, Paris. You won’t be happy until everyone thinks I’m Jeffrey Dahmer, will you?’

Nancy, though on the outside of the situation, did not let the men scare her. She stayed within arm’s length of Ari, glaring at one of the bald baboons. He looked away nervously.

And then, as if things couldn’t get any worse, Helen walked in.

‘Oh, for fuck’s sake,’ Nancy muttered.

Helen looked at her in astonishment. ‘How on earth did you beat me here?’

Nancy scowled. ‘Not now, Helen.’

Helen ignored her, glancing around the room to make sure everyone heard her next line. ‘You know, I was betting against you staying. I assumed you’d let her rot. You’re not known for your loyalty to your employer.’

‘Helen,’ Nancy said, voice warning.

Though she didn’t want to engage. She still felt embarrassed that she’d flinched earlier. It was crazy. How could this silly woman still have any power?

‘You shouldn’t be here,’ Paris said, as though only just realising Nancy was there. ‘You’re upsetting my aunt.’

‘Actually, she helped bring me in,’ Margot said. ‘And I’mfine, but perhaps it’s good they did. Though I am worried about my pussy.’

The entire room tensed.

‘She’s got a cat,’ Nancy explained quickly.

The sigh of relief was audible.

‘Perhaps you might head over there if I give you my keys?’ Margot asked Ari through her human cage, not picking up the situation remotely.

‘She can’t. She’s going to prison,’ Paris said loudly.

‘Oh, lovely,’ Margot said dreamily.

Paris squinted. ‘What?’

‘I remember leaving my cousin’s debutante ball in cuffs. Nowthatwas a party.’

Paris rolled her eyes. ‘No, it’s not that kind of thing. She tried to steal from me.’

Margot frowned. ‘What did she steal?’

Paris realised she had the room and made sure to project the next sentence. ‘A necklace she gifted me years ago.’

‘Fuck you, Paris. I didn’t give it to you,’ Ari muttered.