Page 61 of The Retreat
‘Lots of almosts. Always pipped at the post by someone who had more experience, better contacts… So, eventually, I gave up,’ Imogen said with a sad shrug.
Talia frowned. ‘That’s rubbish. I’m sorry.’
‘Just the way the world works.’
‘But Flora could have helped you before she buggered off to Paris. She had contacts,’ Talia pointed out.
‘I didn’t want to ask.’
‘You shouldn’t have needed to,’ Talia said sternly.
Imogen shrugged. Though a lot of things were out in the open now, that didn’t mean she was ready to take sympathy from Talia. ‘The chips fell where they fell. I survived.’
Talia blinked. ‘And then I got you fired from paid work.’
Imogen laughed. ‘Yes, you did.’
Talia paused. ‘I’m…’
‘Don’t say you’re sorry. I don’t deserve that.’
Talia was taken aback. Another heavy silence hung in the air. ‘Right,’ Talia said abruptly, sitting up and brushing bits of grass from her shirt. ‘Next up: three-legged race.’
***
‘Seriously?’ Imogen said, staring at the zip tie in Talia’s hand. They had a little distance from everyone else, and Imogen needed to vent.
‘We’ve got this,’ Talia said, smiling tightly. She crouched and began tying their ankles together.
Imogen watched the deft movement of her fingers. ‘Why would they make corporate lawyers do this? What is to begained?’
Talia tightened the zip tie with a couple of clicks. ‘Please don’t ask for logic and good sense this weekend. It has clearly been left in the city,’ she sighed. Then added as an afterthought, ‘Plus, I think the timing of this retreat isn’t random. I’m pretty sure it’s one long job interview. Daniel and I are being tested.’
‘That’s mad,’ Imogen said with mild horror.
Talia shrugged. ‘Maybe. But it is what it is.’
‘Wait…’ Imogen began reflectively. ‘If this is all a big competition between you and Daniel, then why is it so focusedon spouses and partners? You don’t find that weird?’ Imogen asked, eyebrow up.
Talia checked the zip tie’s tightness and found it satisfactory. ‘The place was built by a family, the Monroes. Celeste is one of them. They’reobsessedwith us being functional humans with social lives. ‘
‘I thought lawyers were supposed to work all hours and sacrifice their private lives?’ Imogen mused.
‘Yes, they want that as well,’ Talia said cheerfully.
‘How does that work?’
‘It doesn’t,’ Talia told her. ‘Why do you thinkyou’rehere?’
They stood, wobbly and close. Too close. Talia’s shoulder bumped Imogen’s. Her breath was warm against Imogen’s cheek.
‘Left leg first,’ Talia murmured.
‘I always lead with my right,’ Imogen said.
‘Relationships are aboutcompromise,’ Talia said dryly.
Imogen gave her a rueful smile.
