Page 17 of The Retreat
Imogen sighed. ‘That’s me.’
Twelve
Imogen was sitting in Talia’s flat. It wasn’t the same one she used to share with Flora, thank god. They didn’t need any more reminders of their history. The familiar tension was hanging between them like a heavy fog.
The flat was nice, of course. Clean lines, soft light, and furniture that looked expensive without being flashy. The sort of place estate agents described astastefully minimalist. It was undeniably beautiful, but it felt curated rather than lived in. Like a showroom pretending to be a home. Exactly what Imogen would expect from a cold fish like Talia.
‘Alright,’ Talia said, her voice clipped, but the faint edge of anxiety was still there as she carried two coffees in and handed one to Imogen. ‘Here’s the plan.’
Imogen put her drink on a coffee table. Then picked it up again. Then put it down.
‘What are you doing?’ Talia asked.
‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what to do with myself,’ Imogen told her honestly. ‘This situation is…’
‘Awkward? Agreed,’ Talia said with a sigh. ‘But it needs to get un-awkward fast, or this won’t work. And I need to know it will.’
Imogen was trying so hard to be civil, but Talia wasn’t making it easy. ‘Gimme a minute. I’m not some psychopath who can just be someone else at the click of your fingers.’
‘I don’t expect you to be able to do that,’ Talia said calmly. ‘I’m just saying…’
Imogen sighed and said tightly. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.’
‘You did. But it’s fine. Get it out now while you can,’ Talia told her flatly.
‘There’s nothing to get out,’ Imogen lied.
Talia raised an eyebrow at that but didn’t address it. ‘So, I guess we’d better talk about Alex.’
Imogen managed to force a thin smile on her lips. ‘Sure. Let’s.’
‘There are not that many facts to know about her. First off, she’s a doctor…’
Imogen’s mouth fell open. ‘Whoa. What?’
Talia paused. ‘What’s the problem?’
‘I can’t fake being adoctor.’
‘Imogen, you don’t have to remove a gallbladder. You just have to say you’re a doctor if anyone asks.’
‘And what if someone asks for medical advice?’ Imogen demanded.
‘Why would they do that?’ Talia asked.
‘When you’re in social situations, and people find out you’re a lawyer, what happens?’
Imogen saw the lightbulb go on. ‘Oh. Right. Free advice.’
‘If anyone gets so much as a nettle rash…’
Talia waved a hand. ‘I’ll… intervene.’
That didn’t reassure Imogen remotely. ‘How?’
Talia sat back on the couch and thought. ‘I’ll google the symptoms and whisper to you what it says.’
Imogen stared at her. ‘That’s your plan?’
