“Naturally.” She rolls her eyes in an epic theatrical show. “So you recall that night?”

“Yes, why?”

“I…clearly remember leaving the club and, well, I was driving to Raj’s place, but there was a strange car without headlights following me. I called the Met Police, and I swear…I swear I had an accident.”

I tap the wheel once. “But?”

“But Cecy, Ari, Mama, and even Gemma said there was no such thing. I went home as usual. There was no accident.”

“What’s the issue, then?”

“What’s the issue? If that’s not true, then there’s something terribly wrong with me.”

“Yes. It’s called alcohol.”

“Alcohol doesn’t make you imagine a whole scenario.”

“Drugs do. You took a hit or two of blow that night aside from your medication, didn’t you?”

She opens her mouth, then clamps it shut, breathes shakily for a few beats. “Did you follow me out?”

“Why would I have?”

“You threatened me to go home. Besides, you tried everything under the sun to make my life miserable at the time.”

“I did, huh?”

“You still do. You really didn’t follow me?”

“And if I did?”

“W-what…” she trails off and swallows. “What did you see me do?”

“You stopped by the side of the road, probably too drunk or high to realize where you were. I drove you home.”

“You did?”

“It was either that or leave you to be kidnapped, assaulted, and murdered. Not specifically in that order. Before you get any ideas, I did it for Mum.”

Her expression lights up like a myriad of fireworks. Fuck me. The innocence painted all over her face stabs me in the chest.

Good thing I have nothing there.

“You made sure I went home?”

I nod.

“Oh, thank God.” The words are a low whisper. I don’t think they were intended to be said out loud.

We arrive at the house and I stop the car at the entrance. “Go in. Have a lovely evening.”

She stops with her hand on the handle. “Why aren’t you coming in?”

“I have other engagements.”

“So you get to go out and have fun but I don’t?”

“Our ideas of fun are different. You go out to drink. I go out to earn money to afford your expensive tastes.”