Page 53 of The Grand Rise

Scarlet: I’m on the struggle bus this morning

Megan: I’m on the way to New Zealand

Scarlet: Lie to me

Megan: What’s going on

Scarlet: Lance is home

Nina: Lance is home home*

Megan: At the estate?

Scarlet: Yes

Megan: I’ve missed a chapter somewhere

Lucy: We need a group facetime. You’re not home for weeks Megs :(

Megan: I’m living, laughing and loving life. Don’t worry about me

Nina: If England lose I want you to get that tattooed on your ass

Megan: Done.

Megan: Miles said if we win you have to

Lucy: LOL

Nina: No

Scarlet: I sent Mia to the estate to make sure Lance is okay

Lucy: I thought you were on leave from work?

Scarlet: I had a wobble last night

Nina: You’re at work?

Scarlet: No, I went and put flowers on Joey’s grave and now I’m in the coffee shop.

Scarlet: On my fourth cup.

Megan: Can we call in a few days? We’re boarding soon so will message when we land. I have absolutely no idea what’s going on, Scar.

Lucy: Be safe Megs! Love you.

Scarlet: We’ll catch you up once you land

My phone starts to vibrate in my hand, Nina’s name flashing on the screen. “Hey,” I answer.

“Let me add Luce, hold on.”

I wait, glancing around the quiet little coffee shop. There are two other women in the café and one elderly gentleman. I lower the volume on my phone and turn on my camera so that the girls can see me.

Seconds later they fill my screen in two split boxes.

“You sent Mia?” Nina asks.

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