Page 29 of The Retreat
A small, accidental sigh fell from her lips.
Talia picked up the reaction and followed her gaze. Her expression didn’t change, not right away. But the silence between them shifted, tautening.
‘Christ,’ Talia said, low-voiced. ‘They had to havethatone.’
Imogen turned away from it. ‘She used to swear it went with everything,’ she said carefully, her voice neutral.
Talia swallowed. ‘It really didn’t.’
A short pause. Nothing in Talia’s posture or face said sadness, but Imogen felt it in her all the same. Talia swirled her glass and said, half to the floor, ‘Bold choice for a party.’
‘I bet no one drinks it,’ Imogen replied.
Their words were bland. Safe. But the weight behind them was not. The wine sat between them like a ghost neither of them could look at directly.
They didn’t speak again for a while. Just stood there as the rest of the party moved on around them. Eventually, Talia tilted her head, a gentle warning in her voice.
‘Probably best not to dwell on the bad wine choices of the organiser.’
Imogen knew she was probably right. They shouldn’t dwell on… anything.
Yet, something in her compelled her to say more. But what? What could be said about the woman they had in common that wouldn’t make what they were doing that much harder?
Nothing at all. But the topic was like a scab you shouldn’t pick, not yet healed, but oh so inviting.
‘Look, Talia…’
Talia looked at her in alarm. Imogen paused, looking for the right words. ‘I just—’
And then Rebecca yelled, ‘Right! Come on, everyone! It’s time for the obstacle course!’
Nineteen
The obstacle course loomed ahead like a playground designed by Hannibal Lecter: ropes suspended between trees, hay bales, tyres dug halfway into the ground, and what appeared to be a climbing wall made from repurposed pallets.
Talia adjusted the chin strap on her helmet grimly.
‘Alright, everyone, find your partner!’ Rebecca called out.
There was a shuffle of motion as Monroe employees broke off into pairs, dictated by Rebecca. Talia turned just in time to see Rhona heading her way, one of the partners. She looked visibly unhappy about everything that was happening.
‘Guess we’re paired?’ Rhona said.
Talia smiled despite herself. ‘I’ll try not to get us kicked off for unsportsmanlike behaviour.’
‘Pity. I had high hopes.’
Talia laughed and looked over to see Imogen standing to watch with her fellow WAG Lara. Her face said happy, but her body said, ‘Get me the fuck out of this.’
‘How’s she getting on?’ Rhona asked.
Talia shrugged. ‘I think Celeste likes her.’
‘But does she like Celeste?’ Rhona asked.
Talia was stumped by that.
‘My husband didn’t,’ Rhona said.
