Page 5 of The Vanishing Place
Blair’s eyes widened. “In this?”
“Yeah.” The muscles in Effie’s stomach tightened. “They know what they’re doing, Bee.”
“Fuck.” She glanced down at the flooded ground. “So did we.”
The shelter muted the outside storm, creating an eerie quiet. But after a minute’s silence, Blair looked up. “How long will it take them?”
“Five to six hours,” said Effie. “Maybe longer. The conditions are—”
“Less than ideal,” finished Blair.
Effie actually laughed. “Yes. They are definitely less than ideal.”
“And this plastic bag of yours,” said Blair, gesturing at the emergency shelter. “It can hold its own?”
“You, my friend,” said Effie, “are sitting within 275 grams of mountaineering gold. I can personally guarantee you an almost warm, almost dry, mostly bearable night.”
“Excellent. It already sounds better than night shift at the hospital.”
“Fewer intoxicated patients. Less assistance with toileting.”
“God, I hope so.” Blair grimaced. “Neither of us is peeing until I can urinate without fear of it blowing in my face.”
“I’m sorry,” Effie muttered. “Again. For getting us into this situation.”
“We just got caught out, Effie. The weather turned and conditions changed.” Blair sighed. “Then I did my bloody ankle. Shit happens, and sometimes there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Effie squeezed Blair’s hand.
“So,” said Blair, “what happened with Greg?”
“I’m not sure this—”
“This isexactlythe time.” She grinned. “It’s not like I’m going anywhere. So spill. You owe me some gossip at least.”
“You’re awful. You know that, right?”
“Yes, I do.”
“It was nothing. Nothing new, anyway.” Effie fiddled with her zip. “The same hashed-out argument.”
“You being an irrational commitment-phobe?”
“Yeah.”
“Couldn’t you just get a set of keys cut for the poor man? He’s at your place half the time anyway. Then maybe, down the line, you might feel differently.”
“No.” The word came out harsher than Effie intended. “Sorry. It’s just…it all feels too hard. Greg, he’s…”
He’s not him.
“I’m not ready,” said Effie. “Besides, the whole commitment thing looks better on you.”
“I do make it look exceptionally good.” Blair placed a hand on Effie’s leg. “Bloody hard work though. Ewan required some serious pre-wedding training.”
Effie looked at her friend. “I said things, Bee. It wasn’t good. I think it might really be over this time.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
