Page 11 of The Retreat
But she did. And then leaned in. Imogen had never necessarily thought of Flora like that. She wasn’t really her type. Her features were big and cat-like: wide-set eyes, heavy cheekbones, and a full mouth. Imogen usually went for petite, delicate types, sharp little elfin faces.
But Flora’s hand was warm in Imogen’s, and Imogen didn’t want to let go.
The kiss was uncertain at first. Like both of them knew they were hovering near a line and trying to convince themselves it wasn’t really there. But then Flora took it somewhere bigger, her fingers sliding into Imogen’s hair. It was so easy to get lost in it.
Before she knew it, they were in bed, naked.
Imogen told herself that it wasn’t wrong if Talia had already betrayed Flora. Thatthiswasn’t betrayal but comfort.
Then the door opened.
‘What thefuckis this?’ Talia asked.
They sprang apart, and Imogen grabbed a sheet to cover herself before she finally looked up. The expression on Talia’s face was unbearable. She was ripped in half.
Her keys were still in her hand. Her eyes flicked between them, taking in every inch of what she needed to know. ‘I sacked off work so we could spend the evening together,’ she said to Flora.
Flora opened her mouth to say something, anything, but there was nothing that would make this look like anything other than what it was.
Talia turned and walked out.
Imogen looked at Flora. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said.
Flora was pulling her clothes back on hastily. ‘What are you sorry about?’
Imogen didn’t exactly know. Because Flora had started this. All the same, it didn’t feel good to be a part of what had just happened.
Imogen scrabbled into her clothes and ran out of the apartment into the hall. She looked around her, expecting Talia to reappear, maybe slap her. But she was gone.
Imogen kept moving. She was a ways down the street when Flora caught up with her. Imogen hadn’t realised she was chasing her. She’d assumed Flora would be glad to be rid of her, given what had just happened.
‘Imogen, don’t run off.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Imogen said.
‘Stop saying that. You’ve done nothing wrong.’
Imogen couldn’t even respond to that.
‘This was bad, I know,’ Flora said. ‘And I’m sorry I pulled you into the middle of all this. But…’
Imogen was on tenterhooks. ‘But what?’
‘But maybe this was always going to happen,’ Flora said, reaching out a hand to push Imogen’s hair out of her face.
‘Was it?’ Imogen asked, shocked.
‘There’s just something here. Don’t you feel it?’
Imogen nodded. Of course she did. This was Flora McKay. What was she going to do,notfall in love with her?
‘I’m sorry it happened this way. But I’m not sorry ithappened. It was wrong with Talia, and I knew that. I think I was falling out of love with her, and I just couldn’t admit it to myself. But you’ve made me see. I can remember now what it’s like to feel deeply.’
Imogen was stunned. She’d assumed this was the end. But was somethingrealstarting here? She wished it could have been a better start. But if Talia was cheating anyway, then this wasn’t so wrong. Was it?
Now
Thirty-two-year-old Imogen stared at the message she’d just received from the landlord.Thank you for the payment. The rent was paid early this month. And Talia Knox had paid it.
