Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Again, Madeline afford her a glance of mock disdain.

“Pretty sure I can’t,” she answered, and gestured at the empty coffee shop. “The joy of being on a bloody zero-hour contract means that when shit gets like this, I only get four hours work a week.”

“Ah,” Rosie nodded, “I see your point.”

A wry smile crossed the girl’s lips.

“Shame though. I hear Agatha’s going to be out tonight.”

“Get stuffed,” Madeline said, a little sharper, a little louder than she had actually intended.

Rosie’s smile broadened.

“You never know,” she continued, playfully.

“Up yours,” Madeline replied emphatically. She straightened up, paused, and then said in a softer tone, “Where is it again?”

“New Cross,” the other girl replied without missing a beat.

Madeline rolled her eyes and slumped against the counter once more.

“New Cross is far.”

On the other side of the counter, Rosie lifted her cup, that stoic image of Diana unchanging, unblinking on the decorative red and white wax paper.