Page 7 of The Retreat

Talia sat at her desk for a full ten minutes after the meeting reminder pinged. Celeste - 10:30. Weekly check-in.

Normally, she didn’t mind these one-to-ones. It never hurt to get face time with the boss. But this morning, she was nervous. Scared even.

She pulled her blazer off the back of the chair and slipped it on, heading for the lift, rehearsing the lines she’d been perfecting for days: ‘Oh, Alex and I broke up. Yeah, it was mutual. We just wanted different things.’ A small shrug, a little sigh. Confident and mature.

She felt a little better about it now. Because Celeste had met ‘Alex’, as far as she knew. So if anyone made any funny little jokes, Celeste could shut them down. Alex was not the Loch Ness Monster. She had been verifiably sighted. Celeste had shaken her hand. So the payoff had inadvertently bought plausible deniability in addition to some guilt assuagement.

Did Talia feel good about getting Imogen fired? Not as much as she would have hoped. She hated her, but the thought of taking someone’s livelihood away, even the despised Imogen, didn’t sit right.

But done was done. She couldn’t un-wreck that café.

Talia caught her reflection in the lift doors. She looked calm enough. But her nerves were loud. Her heart was banging like a drum.

When she reached the office, Celeste was already waving her in.

‘Morning, darling!’ she said, all gloss and energy. ‘You’re looking sharp.’

Talia smiled as she entered Celeste’s massive office and sat on the edge of the visitor chair, bracing herself.

‘So,’ Celeste said, leaning forward, ‘I’ve been meaning to say. Alex. What a treat. You didn’t tell me she was that gorgeous.’

Talia’s mouth parted slightly. ‘Oh, well...’

‘No need to be modest. She’s stunning. And a doctor? What a package.’

Talia kept her mouth fixed in a smile. She could barely feel her face. It was enraging to hear compliments heaped on Imogen. Seeing as her gorgeousness had brought about such pain. If only Flora could have hired someone a bit more homely to help her sell pretentious art…

‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘That’s kind of you.’

The moment had arisen. She had to say it now. The words formed in her head, ready to push out of her mouth. ‘Funny you should mention Alex…’

But before she could speak, Celeste clapped her hands together. ‘Right, onto business. I’m sure you’ve been waiting to hear about the partner position?’

Talia smiled. ‘Well, yes, I have been wondering.’

‘It’s looking good for you.’

Talia stared at her. ‘Seriously?’

Celeste nodded. ‘Of course. You’ve earned it. But you know how these things work. It’s about fit. Presence. Chemistry. People want to know the full version of who they’re backing. And the retreat next week is the place for that.’

Talia’s skin prickled. She tried to swallow, but her throat had dried up.

‘Oh,’ she said. ‘Right.’

‘You know, some of them still talk about Henry’s wife at the retreat ten years ago. She charmed everyone over breakfast waffles, and Henry got fast-tracked. I can see that happening for you two.’

Talia swallowed. ‘Oh?’

‘I mean, what matters is your work,’ Celeste added quickly. ‘The retreat will only be the cherry on your cake.’

Talia smiled. ‘Of course,’ she said, not believing that remotely.

***

Talia left Celeste’s office in a daze.

She’d tried to end the lie. Tried to close the door. But it just wouldn’t quite come out of her mouth. Especially after Celeste as good as said, ‘Your girlfriend will get you this promotion.’

As she waited for the lift, she started to think something very, very silly.

The silly thought followed her into the lift, down a few floors, and back to her office. And then it sat with her through the rest of the morning, through lunch, and through the afternoon. Then it followed her out to her car and home for the day. It was still there when she went to bed that night.

A silly, silly idea indeed.