Page 51 of The Retreat
‘Just stop, Imogen.’
Talia’s voice sliced through the panic like a scalpel. Everyone turned. Imogen froze, her mouth half-open.
Talia turned to the room, shoulders squared. ‘I knew she wasn’t a doctor,’ she said.
The silence that followed was somehow louder than the chaos that came after.
‘You what, mate?’ Daniel Parsons barked. ‘You’re telling me this whole thing was some kind of weird blag?’
‘I wouldn’t use the word blag, exactly,’ Talia said.
‘I knew she was too perfect,’ muttered Jade, arms folded. She looked at Imogen and tutted with deep disappointment. ‘No doctor is that hot unless they’re on TV.’
Rebecca took the next pop. ‘Talia, I cannot believe you compromised the integrity of this retreat. Do you know how many logistics went into this? The forms? The allergies?’
Talia wasn’t addressing that one.
Celeste gave her a hard look. ‘I don’t understand.’
Talia was ready to make it clear. Time to vomit up the truth. ‘I made Alex up a while ago. Then when you demanded to meet her, I asked Imogen here to play her for the weekend.’
Imogen’s voice broke in, trying again.
‘But it was my idea,’ she said quickly. ‘She’s just—’
Talia turned. Not harsh, but clear. ‘Don’t,’ she said. Quiet enough that only Imogen could hear. ‘You tried but... let me deal with my own mess.’
Imogen looked at her, stricken. ‘You’re going to lose everything.’
‘Only my job,’ Talia said softly. Then she turned back to the room.
Celeste’s silence stretched for roughly an eternity. It was almost a relief when she said, ‘Everyone out. Except them.’
The room obeyed reluctantly.
After the door had shut behind Jade’s muttered ‘fuck me sideways,’ the air became even heavier.
‘Imogen, you should go too,’ Talia said reluctantly.
Imogen looked at her, pained. She turned to Celeste. ‘You need to understand, she doesn’t—’
Celeste held a hand up, and Imogen broke off immediately. ‘She can speak for herself.’
Talia nodded. ‘I can. Go to the room. I’ll see you there.’
Imogen sighed, shrugged, and let go. She walked out.
Celeste’s eyebrows rose slowly. ‘You faked a girlfriend? Why?’
‘Because the culture of Monroe is all about being well-rounded.’ Talia’s mouth twisted, self-disgust creeping in. ‘So I gave you what they wanted. A girlfriend. A stable, impressive partner. Someone warm, likeable, and always busy. The idea was that no one would ever actually need to meet her. And once I’d made partner, I’d tell you it ended.’
Celeste just watched her. She didn’t look shocked. Only tired.
‘So who the hell was that?’ she said, thumbing at the exit Imogen had walked out of.
‘That’s a longer story than you can imagine. But the short version is that her name is Imogen, and you mistook her for Alex in the lobby. And we ran with it.’
Celeste exhaled, sharp and final. ‘We were going to give you partner. You realise that?’
Talia nodded. ‘You’ve still got Daniel.’
Celeste groaned. She gestured to the door. ‘This is done. You can go.’
Talia didn’t argue. She turned and walked to the door, hand on the handle. But before she left, she looked back. ‘I’ll put in my resignation when we get back.’ And she walked out.