Hell

'I'm getting a bit worried now...'

'Oh, he'll be fine. He's sixteen; he probably just got distracted by something on the way home.'

'I guess... Still, I wish he'd at least text us to tell us he'd be late.'

'I'm sure you did the exact same thing at some point during your childhood.'

'Yeah, but it's not so nice being on the recieving end as a parent.'

'He'll probably walk in any minute now with no idea that anything's even wrong. It's what teenagers do.'

'...Probably.'

'It's done.'

'Right... What's going to happen to him now?'

'Rikard will take him home. That'll be a nice surprise for Tate...'

'Alright.'

'Are you okay, Hazel?'

'...Not really.'

'Sorry. I know it's a bit of a shock the first time...'

'...I don't think you should have done it.'

'Hazel...'

'I know he's an arrogant ass, but he didn't deserve that. It's Tate we have a problem with, nobody else.'

'I know. That's exactly why I did it. If this won't spark any empathy in him, nothing will.'

'I suppose.'

'What's that?!'

'I don't know... I'm going to go investigate.'

'Oh my fucking God!'

Mysterious happenings

'Ah, you're finally back.'

'Hi. Was everything okay while I was gone?'

'Oh, yes. No problems. How is Brianne now?'

'Yeah, she's doing better now.'

'Good.'

'Mum!'

'Hey, sweetie!'

'I missed you.'

'You too, honey.'

'I already bathed Julius. So you can put him to bed now.'

'Alright. Thanks.'

'...Thanks for doing actual parenting?'

'I'd rather stay on his good side for now, Carmella.'

'Ah... that's a good idea.'

'Mmm. Let's go in your room, it's safer.'

'So did you find a house?'

'Yep! It's got enough bedrooms for all of us, so no worries about sharing.'

'Brilliant!'

'It's a really nice place. You'll love it.'

'Aww Mum, that's awesome! When are we moving in?'

'Once I book some flights? There's no point hanging around here any longer.'

'Yay! I'm so excited to go!'

'Me too! Our new home in paradise... I'll tell the boys.'

'Okay. Tristan's at work, but he'll be back soon. Should be finishing now, in fact...'

'You want me to go over and confess to Ellis that I'm the reason Nix keeps saying "fuck"? Sure, fine. I guess it's a dick move of me to carry on letting Heath take the blame.'

'Can you promise he won't kick my ass? Okay, thanks. I bet if you all act like it's not happening, she'll get bored of saying it. Julius did, after all. One time when he was three he dropped an F bomb in front of Richard Fortescue and all the other toffs... Hey, what do you mean, that's rich coming from me?! Okay, okay, point taken. Anyway, now he doesn't say it all! And not because Father told him to stop either. You know how much of a shit Julius gives about anything Father says!'

'Huh, it's half past already. I think I'm going to go home. I'll talk to you tomorrow. See you, Charon.'

...

...

...

*ding*

...

...

Misogyny

'Hi.'

'Hello, Nyla. I trust Julius has behaved himself?'

'Yeah, no worries there. He's as good as gold when he's here.'

'Amazing. What's your secret?'

'Haha, I'm not sure. I don't think it's anything I've done.'

'I'm just glad he's caused you no trouble.'

'Thanks. Julius! Your dad's here to pick you up!'

'Aww. I don't wanna go.'

'I wish you could stay too.'

'I'd better see the old man.'

'Hey.'

'Time to go now.'

'It's been lovely having you! Come back any time.'

'I will! It's fun here.'

'Very nice. Can you go wait in the car?'

'Okay. See ya, Feli.'

'Bye!'

'Nyla, can I talk to you? Alone?'

'...Sure. Hey, Feli, can you give us some space?'

'Fine.'

'So... what is it?'

'I'll get right to the point. You're a very attractive woman.'

'Oh... thank you...?'

'You're welcome. So with that in mind, how would you feel about spending some more time together?'

'Um...'

'I'd love to get to know you better.'

'I... um... sorry, but I have a boyfriend.'

'And I have a wife. What of it? It'd just be one night together, certainly nothing serious.'

'N-no... I'd never cheat on Stanley.'

'Are you sure? You don't know what you're missing. I bet he doesn't have what I have.'

'Tate, I'm friends with Roxxi! Even if I were single, I couldn't... it's not right.'

'Then why would you wear so little to see me?'

'What? I dress like this all the time... i-it wasn't for you...'

'Nobody dresses like that unless they're trying to get a man's attention.'

'No, I can assure you, this is normal attire for me.'

'Oh, fine, if you insist.'

'Good...'

'...Don't speak of this again.'

'Yeah, you've got nothing to worry about there, I'd rather just forget it...'

'Right.'

'Um. Bye then.'

'Stay out of my way in the future.'

'Aha. She did respond!'

'What's that?'

'The post. It's a handwritten letter, and there's only one person I'm expecting one of those from...'

'...Wait. It's just my letter sent back to me...'

'Hang on, there's something on the back.'

'...Oh.'

'Wow, fucking charming.'

'Well. That's that.'

'What are you going to do?'

'I'm not sure, Hazel. She's going to be even angrier with me soon...'

'Yeah. She is.'

'Oh dear. Sorry, Aria, but needs must...'