Chapter 2: Chapter 2

“Not really,” Rosie answered with a shrug that must have taken a tremendous effort considering the weight of her coat. “Seen her about, that’s really it. Bea knows her though, says she’s all right.”

Madeline nodded.

“Sure,” she answered, the most non-committal of responses, a word that wasn’t even suitable given the preceding statement.

“Tall, isn’t she?” Rosie continued.

Again, Madeline nodded.

“Guess so.”

There was a weighty pause between them.

“You know, she used to be a—”

“Ah, shut up, Rosie,” Madeline said, rolling her eyes.

Of course, she knew this, of course it was common knowledge. She didn’t want to go over it, not because it mattered to her, but because it didn’tmatter. It was none of her business.

The other girl shrugged.

“She used to go out with Zoe,” she said, paused, and then added, “You remember Zoe, right? Worked in Lush.”

Madeline sighed, feeling the diminishing warmth of the polystyrene box between her hands.