Page 36 of The Retreat

The blanket was aggressively cheerful. Yellow gingham, practically glowing in the sunlight, surrounded by HR-approved wicker baskets and eco-friendly cutlery that had already started wilting in the heat. People lounged in pairs and clumps, sipping elderflower cordial and pretending they weren’t all being slowly roasted.

Imogen sat cross-legged beside Talia, pretending to enjoy her quinoa salad. Across the grass, someone laughed like a donkey, and someone else suggested a group selfie. It was all painfully wholesome.

And none of it existed to Imogen, because all could still hear Talia’s voice in the workshop. ‘It’s what it does to trust. I can’t build anything with someone who keeps chipping away at that, Flora.’

Flora. The one who had told Imogen that Talia had cheated first. That the relationship was over in every way that counted. That sleeping with Imogen wasn’t betrayal, just bad timing.

Imogen gripped her fork tighter. It bent at the neck.

‘Can we talk?’ she said without looking at Talia.

Talia didn’t even pause in buttering her roll. ‘We’re talking.’

‘I mean properly. Alone.’

Talia’s jaw flexed. ‘Now’s not a great time.’

‘I don’t care.’

‘There’s free time later—’

‘I said I don’t care.’ Imogen turned to her, heart thudding. ‘You said Flora’s name.’

Talia blinked. Her face didn’t change, but the temperature between them did.

‘Don’t,’ she said, her eyes flitting around, looking for big ears.

‘I want to understand—’

‘There’s nothing to understand.’

‘Then why do I feel like I’m going to be sick?’ Imogen said, her voice rising slightly. She didn’t care. A few people glanced over and quickly looked away.

Talia got to her feet angrily. ‘Fine. Ten minutes.’

Imogen followed her down the slope, past Daniel trying to feed Lara a strawberry, her pushing his hand away. But Imogen kept her eyes on Talia’s shoulders. They were stiff and high.

They found a spot behind a cluster of trees, out of sight of the picnic. Imogen folded her arms and didn’t waste time.

‘I’m sorry. OK? I’m sorry you found us like that. That must have been terrible.’

Talia didn’t answer.

‘I’m incredibly sorry. And ashamed. And remorseful.’

Still nothing.

‘Talia.’

A pause. Then finally, Talia spat out, ‘How long?’

Imogen was relieved to be asked. ‘That was the first time.’

Talia laughed without humour.

‘It was, I promise you. I’ve got no reason to lie to you, have I?’

‘Well, I guess I was only a fool quite briefly then,’ Talia said with a sad sigh.

Imogen decided it was time to put it all out there. Yes, she’d done wrong. But she wasn’t alone. ‘I know it was horrible finding us like that, and I swear, I don’t ever do things like that… This isn’t an excuse for getting in the middle of your relationship, but she told me you were cheating, so I guess I thought…’

Talia’s face was surprise itself. ‘What?’

‘Well, she said she’d found out you were talking to people on dating apps. And I know I should have waited until it was over with you and her. I should have said no…’

‘Talking to people on dating apps?’ Talia repeated.

Imogen stared. ‘Maybe you don’t think it’s exactly cheating, but she was destroyed by it. She cried in my arms.’

Talia let out a sharp, humourless laugh and turned away, arms crossed. ‘She said I was cheating?’

‘She said probably that you were… Look, I heard that argument between the two of you. I don’t know if you remember, but…’

Talia’s eyes were locked onto Imogen, wide with fury. ‘That’s not what happened.’

Imogen paused. ‘What did happen, then?’

Talia looked like she might walk off again. But then she sighed and shrugged. ‘OK, Imogen. If you want to know…’