Page 8 of Pyg

Alice bowed her head as hot tears prickled in her eyes and static fizzed in her ears.

Fran reached up and pinched Alice’s chin between her thumb and index finger. Alice peered through her eyelashes and met Fran’s dark eyes, surprised to see desire flickering in them.

“How about we go to that little B&B up the road, and I’ll get some of your clothes wet, too?” Fran said in a low growl. “And once we’re even, I’ll tell you all about how I’m leaving my husband.”

3

FIESTA FAIL

Alice tipped her head back, relishing the steaming water splashing off her body. She vigorously scrubbed her skin, trying to erase any trace of Fran, holding back the urge to cry as the last of the soapsuds circled and chased each other down the plughole.

After frowning at the discarded tangle of lacy lingerie in the corner of her bedroom, Alice pulled on slim-fitting jeans with a loose grey sweatshirt, quite the contrast to yesterday’s outfit.

She thought about the state of herself last night, and flushed with relief that she’d decided against sending a selfie to Fran; she didn’t need another regret to add to the pile.

In the hallway mirror, Alice examined her reflection. Her tired blue-grey eyes stared back, but at least she looked herself. She tucked a spiral of curls behind her ear. Even her own hair reminded her of Fran and how she’d once said she had curls like Marilyn Monroe, and the figure to match — a compliment which had made Alice feel like a million dollars.

She sighed and liberally spritzed on perfume, specifically the citrusy one Fran disliked because it made her throat itch. A notification pinged to say the Uber had arrived; Alice slipped on some flats and headed out.

On her way down the steep stairway, Alice bent and scooped up the scattered Louboutins; they’d been rained on overnight and looked sorrier than ever. But even a good night’s sleep hadn’t changed her mind. Yes, putting them on eBay might fetch her a few quid, but casually depositing them amongst the black bags in the shared bin on her way to the taxi gave her much greater satisfaction.

At the hospital, Alice decided to try the Fiesta again before making a tit of herself with Maggie and Markus. After a promising cough, the engine spluttered and choked. Then nothing. Alice sighed and rested her head on the steering wheel. Behind her closed eyelids, Ash crashed into her thoughts and her lips threatened a smile.

Stop it.

Alice’s empty stomach growled, so she sat up straight and decided to call Maggie from inside the hospital.Surely they have a café? Maggie and Markus should not be dealt with on an empty stomach.

As Alice moved aside to shut the door, she caught sight of something black and furry in the rear passenger footwell.What the?—?

She dashed around the vehicle and yanked open the passenger door, exhaling a breath and flicking her hands as she summoned the courage to nudge the furry mass with her foot. It moved, and she screamed, jumping back and clutching a hand to her chest.

Oh! It’s a bloody coat.Laughing, Alice bundled the man’s jacket over her arm.An excuse to see the doctor again.

* * *

“Hello, again.”Alice smiled at the man and crossed the room toward the vinyl padded chair next to the bed. “I’m sorry, but in the confusion of last night, I completely forgot your coat was still in my car.”

The man lay completely still, aside from the rise and fall of his broad chest, covered in the starched cloth of a hospital gown. The wound on his forehead had been cleaned and his flesh puckered against the sutures, lined up like a crimson track. It would probably scar, but it wasn’t as gruesome as it had looked last night.

The man’s unkempt hair and beard had been brushed and his face appeared less lined, like the wrinkles had somehow been smoothed out. Not those heavy bags under his eyes though; they still shone the deep purple of plums.

“We’re both looking a lot less dishevelled than we did yesterday, that’s for sure. But I suppose you’ll have to take my word for it.”

Alice shuffled the disposable coffee cup between her hands and placed the man’s coat over the arm of the chair.

“Well, I suppose I’ll leave you in peace.” She looked around the room, her gaze settling on the clock above the door. 11:45 a.m.

What time do the doctors change shifts? It’s probably too early and who’s to say she’s even rostered for today? Oh well, I really ought to call Maggie and beg for Markus to come and help with the car. But begging before midday? So undignified. Unless it were with Fran—Alice shook her head to halt that line of thought.

“Don’t suppose you mind if I sit for a moment?”

The man didn’t flinch, which Alice took as an invitation to take a seat. She crossed her legs, angling herself towards the bed, cupping her cold hands around the cardboard cup.

“This coffee is awful. Bitter enough to wake the dead. There’s a thought — perhaps I’ll suggest they trickle this through your drip?” She chuckled at her suggestion.

“I really should get on my way and leave you to sleep.” Alice took a tentative sip of the coffee and grimaced. “I’m putting off calling my sister, to be honest. She’ll be annoyed at me for disturbing Markus’ Saturday golf plans. He’ll be such a prick about it, too.” Alice cleared her throat and imitated a plummy deep voice. “For God’s sake, Mags, tell me we don’t have to bail out your useless sister from her latest disaster.” She picked at the edge of the plastic lid with her chipped fingernail. “The worst part is they’re not wrong… I am useless. I should’ve prioritised sorting out a car, and not blowing every penny I earn on ridiculous shit to impress Fran. And she’s not exactly easy to impress. Fran is what you’d callhigh maintenance, you know the sort?”

The man didn’t respond.

---