Page 10 of The Retreat

Imogen couldn’t help but feel amused as she watched Talia fidgeting, clearly hating every nanosecond of this. This entire situation was absurd. Talia, of all people, was now in a position where she needed Imogen’s help.

After everything, after that mess with Flora, and then the crazy confrontation a few weeks ago that led to that one confusing moment, Imogen was the only person she could ask. It was a truly twisted butterfly that had flapped its wings to get them here.

Imogen had to smile. After all, Talia had put herself in this ridiculous situation, and part of Imogen wanted to revel in that. Oh, how the mighty had fallen on her slender, tailored arse. The way she’d carried herself, that sharp confidence, that air of control... it was gone now. She was desperate.

But ten grand desperate?

Imogen shifted in her seat, her arms folded across her chest. She didn’t want to get involved in Talia’s mess, but the money... The money was hard to ignore. She could picture how it would look in her account. A one and five zeroes. A beautiful arrangement of numbers. She could cover bills for months, really give her time to get back on her feet. Time to make a decent plan. Time to figure out her next move.

But what she had to do for it? Pretending to be someone else? Someone who didn’t even exist? That was a different thing altogether. Plus, a weekend with Talia?

But the figure of the ten thousand just hung there, taunting her. It was a way out of the mess she was in.

‘ grand,’ Imogen repeated, almost to herself. ‘That’s a decent offer.’ She paused. ‘But pretending to be someone else... That’s pretty fucking weird, don’t you think?’

Talia shifted, her eyes darting away. ‘Yes, I do, as it happens. But it’s just one weekend.’

Imogen kept mulling. grand, weird thing. grand, weird thing. grand, weird thing…

‘I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t absolutely need to,’ Talia said, her expression pleading.

Imogen didn’t know Talia’s rigid face could achieve such an expression. It was quite a sight.

Imogen stood up and walked over to the small, dirty window for a look outside at the empty street, trying to think neutrally about this.

Part of her wanted to say, ‘Fuck off’. But the other part was staring at the terrifying reality of being kicked out of her place with nowhere to go.

But the idea of being someone else felt a little like something out of a cheap TV drama. What if she slipped up? What if this whole thing turned into a disaster?

But then again… grand.

‘You’re serious about this, aren’t you?’ Imogen asked, turning back to face Talia.

Talia nodded, her lips pressing into a tight line.

‘And after this weekend... you’ll be done with me?’ Imogen asked. ‘I won’t need to pop up for any more corporate bullshit?’

‘No,’ Talia said quickly. ‘I won’t need anything else from you after that. Once the promotion is official in a few weeks, I’ll say it ended.’

Imogen sighed, long and deep. ‘Alright. I’ll think about it.’

Talia looked relieved that she was even getting that much.

‘I appreciate it,’ Talia said softly.

‘OK. Well, nothing more to say for the moment, is there?’ Imogen said pointedly, with a look at the door.

Talia gave her a nod and walked quickly out of her flat.

But as the door clicked shut behind her, Imogen couldn’t help but wonder: Could she really say no? With everything that was riding on this? Could she afford not to take the money?