Deceit

'So where are the twins?'

'They're with their grandparents. Go on, I know what you're here for. No point waiting around.'

'Actually, before we get down to business, I'd like you to call Roxxi. I haven't forgotten about her lying to me before, and I want to know what she's been up to behind my back.'

'Heh... Not as eager as you usually are, are you? Are you feeling okay?'

'Oh believe me, I am eager. I'd just prefer to get this out of the way first.'

'Okay... I'll ring her now.'

'Oh, hey Brie!'

'Hi Roxxi. What's up?'

'The same as usual, really. Running around after the kids, playing around with a bit of sculpting, et cetera.'

'I didn't think you'd need to do much running after the triplets.'

'No, but they are teenagers. Messy creatures. And they eat so much too...'

'Ah, of course. How's Tristan doing?'

'He's holding up okay. I'm trying to encourage him to get out more, but he still spends a lot of time in his room.'

'Aww, poor kid. Send him my love, won't you?'

'I will.'

'Thanks.'

'What about your girls?'

'Don't even ask. While I was putting Peach on the potty, Marigold decided it'd be fun to draw all over the walls.'

'Oh no! They're so terrible for that... you really need eyes in the back of your head.'

'And eyes that see through walls. They're so tiring sometimes... funnily enough, they seem to save their good behaviour for daycare.'

'Maybe they feel more comfortable being themselves around you?'

'Maybe. If only I could skip a couple of years. By school age they might be a bit less destructive.'

'They do get easier! Promise.'

'Good... Anyway, I wanted to ask about what happened when you asked me to cover for you. What were you doing?'

'Ah... I still can't say.'

'Why not? Don't you trust me?'

'No, it's not that... it's just not safe. I have to keep this a secret from as many people as possible, at least until it's over.'

'Until what's over?'

'...I'm sorry. I'm just paranoid. I really can't tell you, Brie.'

'But you had me lying to Tate!'

'So he did check up on me then.'

'Yeah, no surprise he doesn't trust you.'

'...You know he's not exactly trustworthy either. How many times has he lied to me? Stayed out all night in some other woman's bed? After the way he's treated me, I don't owe him a fucking thing.'

'I don't know why you expected any different, to be honest. It's pretty obvious a man like him would do those things. You know they say women marry men like their dads? Seems like you've done just that. There's no point in complaining about it... just make the most of your end of the bargain.'

'Yeah? Well, you might enjoy being a sugar baby, but I'd like to be more than just Tate's trophy wife. There's more to me than just being a gold digger!'

'But Roxxi, that's what you signed up for! The difference between you and me is that I accept what I am. There's no point in trying to cling onto some kind of pride. Not after some of the things you've done.'

'...I have to go. Or rather, I've got better things to do than listen to this bullshit.'

'Great fucking job you did there, Brianne.'

'...Sorry. But I don't think she'd have budged no matter what I said.'

'You still have some serious making up to do.'

'Let's go upstairs, then.'



Elsewhere...

'Hi? I'd like a taxi to the train station, please...'