Dressing fifty minutes later, Carissa wasn’t sure why she was making such an effort with the way she looked. Maybe subconsciously she was trying to show Teal what she would be missing out on. Opting for a short black dress and black heels, Carissa wore her hair down and kept her makeup smoky but simple.

  The moment she entered the elegant restaurant, she caught sight of Teal sitting alone at their table. As if sensing her, Teal looked up and her eyes widened.

  ‘Wow,’ Teal said when Carissa reached the table and sat down. ‘You look stunning.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Carissa replied, the heat rising to her face. It was as if they were on their first date. She was relieved when the waiter brought over a bottle of wine Teal had ordered and poured them both a glass.

  ‘How’re you feeling now?’

  Carissa took a mouthful of wine and swallowed it in one gulp. ‘Safer being here.’

  ‘Good.’ Teal shifted her seat closer to Carissa’s. ‘I can’t apologise enough for how things have turned out.’

  Carissa could smell brandy on Teal’s breath, and when she looked into her eyes, she noted they were glazed and sad. This tugged at her heart. She placed her hand over Teal’s and squeezed it. ‘Don’t be silly. None of this is your fault.’

  ‘But if—’

  Carissa pressed her finger against Teal’s lips. ‘There are no buts. How were you to know?’

  ‘I’ve known Channing for over a year—’

  ‘We never really know anyone, do we? Not really.’ She took a deep breath and decided to take a chance. ‘People change their minds. Things they might have meant at one stage in their lives aren’t necessarily the same at a later date.’

  ‘Do they?’ Teal’s eyes closed briefly.

  ‘Uh huh. I mean take us for instance ….’

  Teal’s phone rang and she gave Carissa a lopsided grin. ‘I’d better answer this in case she’s tracked us down here.’

  Carissa shivered at the mere thought of Channing being anywhere near them.

  ‘Hello,’ Teal said, a slight slur in her voice. She looked at Carissa and mouthed. ‘It’s the police.’

  Carissa leant forward. She could only imagine why they were calling. She tried to get Teal’s attention, and Teal held up her hand signalling for her to wait. Whatever the detective was telling her must have been bad, if Teal’s shocked expression was anything to go by.

  ‘Okay, thank you for letting me know.’ Teal slowly put her phone down on the table and looked at Carissa with a strange expression.

  ‘Please don’t keep me in suspense. What did they want?’

  ‘The police picked Channing up.’

  ‘Really? They believed you?’

  Teal shook her head slowly. ‘No, there’s no way to prove Channing had anything to do with Alana’s death.’

  ‘So why have they arrested her?’

  ‘There was a warrant out for her arrest.’

  ‘A warrant! What for?’

  ‘Attempted murder. She broke into some woman’s flat after the woman ended things. Channing actually tied a stocking around the woman’s neck and tried to strangle her. If it wasn’t for the woman’s German shepherd attacking Channing, she might have actually done it.’

  ‘Oh my God. When did this happen?’

  ‘The same day she came to Bibury.’

  Carissa went cold at thinking how close Teal could have come to being Channing’s next victim.

  ‘So what’s going to happen now?’

  ‘They’re taking her back to Devon in the morning.’

  Carissa raised her glass to her mouth. ‘So we’re safe?’

  ‘Looks that way.’

  Carissa took a sip of wine this time. Giddiness had soon replaced the nerves she’d felt earlier. ‘So we can go back and finish your house?’

  ‘Are you sure you want to?’ Teal asked in surprise.

  ‘Why wouldn’t I?’

  Teal shrugged. ‘I thought you might be slightly put off by what’s happened.’

  ‘No way. I feel safe as long as she’s as far away from here as possible.’

  ‘Okay, if you’re sure, we can go back after dinner.’

  Carissa thought of the super king-size bed in their hotel room. The champagne in the fridge. The jacuzzi bath. ‘Seems a shame to waste an evening of indulgence, don’t you think?’

  ‘You want to stay the night?’

  ‘Don’t you?’ She leant in close to Teal and said in a low voice, ‘I’ve always had this fantasy of being picked up by this really hot horny woman in a hotel bar.’

  Teal jerked her head to the bar behind them. ‘Does that bar happen to resemble the one in your fantasy?’

  Carissa bit her bottom lip. ‘Looks like the exact one.’

  ‘So what happens in this fantasy of yours?’

  ‘I meet this woman on a night like tonight ….’ Carissa took hold of Teal’s hand and slid it under the table and along her thighs. She pressed her breasts against Teal’s arm as she whispered in her ear. ‘When I’m not wearing any underwear ....’

  Teal drew in a sharp, audible breath and grinned. ‘Do you fancy skipping dinner and having a drink at the bar instead?’

  ‘I thought you’d never ask.’

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  They somehow managed to get back on track over the next couple of weeks. There was a buzz of activity in the house as things finally fell into place. Walls were painted, blinds were fixed and all the furniture and accessories had been delivered and put into place. On top of this, Carissa got what she wanted most nights: Candlelit dinners. Where they would drink wine until the early hours of the morning then make love.

  ‘I can’t believe this place is finished. I’m really impressed,’ Teal said while they lay naked in bed after one such night.

  Carissa lazily caressed the swell of Teal’s breast. ‘You should take some credit as well.’

  ‘Why, because I painted a few walls?’ Teal said grinning.

  ‘Not just that, for all the support you gave me.’

  ‘It was my pleasure. I’m just glad you managed to finish it without any more hiccups. If we hadn’t been able to find Ted, to pick up where Nicole left off, who knows how long it would have taken.’

  That was the first time Teal had mentioned Nicole’s name since she’d done a runner with her money. Teal had just let it go and put it down to one of those things she had no control over. Carissa was sure Nicole would do the same thing to someone else again one day, and Carissa hoped when she did, she would get her comeuppance.

  Carissa’s thoughts turned to Channing and she shivered even though the bedroom was warm. Just thinking about her still unnerved Carissa.

  ‘I can’t believe Channing actually got away without being charged with anything,’ Carissa said, recalling Teal’s conversation with the detective.

  ‘I know. What could the police do? It was the woman’s word against Channing’s.’

  Carissa knew Teal was right, but all the same, a mentally deranged woman was still out there, roaming free after talking herself out of a tricky situation. Teal thought that Channing had deliberately filmed herself and the woman she had tried to strangle having bondage sex previously. So when it came to the woman claiming Channing had tried to choke her, Channing had said it was an act of consent. After all, she had video footage to prove it.

  It was the same with Alana’s death. There wasn’t any conclusive evidence to show that Alana had been a victim of foul play. All the police had to go on was Teal’s statement, which didn’t hold much weight in the end. So Channing was out there somewhere, living her life with Lara.

  The news had come as both a surprise and a shock to Teal and Carissa. But it had been confirmed by Deidre who had spoken with Lara.

  ‘Well you did your part there’s nothing else you could have done,’ Carissa said.

  ‘I know, but I still feel responsible—’

  ‘That’s your problem, Teal, you take too much on your shoulders. I warned Lara about Channing and what she chooses to do is up to her.’

  ‘You’re right.’

  ‘I know I am. Instead of wasting your energy on things you can’t change, you should put yourself to better use,’ Carissa said, taking Teal’s hand and guiding it between her thighs. ‘I might as well get as much as I can before.’ Carissa stopped and it felt like her heart did too.

  They both knew the end was inevitable—just days away. Carissa couldn’t stay there forever. She wanted to get on with her life—get another design job under her belt. With the wealth of experience she had gained these past few weeks, she was ready to take on the world. It saddened her that it wouldn’t be with Teal at her side.

  ‘You can say it,’ Teal said burying her face in Carissa’s hair.

  A lump formed in Carissa’s throat and she swallowed it down. ‘Not this soon.’

  ‘It’s been quite a ride,’ Teal said, pulling Carissa close.

  ‘One that I’ll never forget.’ Carissa blinked away her tears. ‘When are you calling the estate agents.’

  ‘I called them today.’

  Carissa drew back, shocked. ‘Without telling me?’

  ‘It’s easier this way. They’re coming to give me a valuation tomorrow.’

  The sadness in Teal’s voice made her realise that she was right. It must have been hard and Carissa was glad she wasn’t the one who had to make the call.

  This was never going to be easy, but even if Carissa had the chance to go back and do it all again, she would. Every last minute of it.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Teal glanced around the now spacious living room and nodded in agreement with the estate agent’s assessment. The room looked amazing. Carissa had kept all the classic details that were authentic to the style of the Cotswolds, but she had managed to modernise it in the same breath. The furniture was tasteful, the colour combinations were subtle and the feel of the house had veered towards stylish but homely.

  ‘Teal?’

  Teal spun around at the sound of Carissa’s voice. Even from where she stood she could feel Carissa’s sadness. Not only was it in her eyes but also in her body language. Where Carissa normally stood erect and proud, Teal could see the stoop of her shoulders. The listless way she stood as if she didn’t care about anything anymore.

  ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,’ Carissa said, looking over at the woman crouched over a bag as she unloaded a camera.

  ‘You didn’t,’ Teal said beckoning her in.

  ‘I was just saying to Teal what a great job you’ve done,’ Lori said.

  ‘Carissa, Lori’s the estate agent who’ll be selling this place.’

  Teal saw Carissa’s eyes dart between her and Lori in confusion. ‘Oh, I didn’t realise you were putting the house up for sale today.’

  ‘I wasn’t going to. Lori just came round to give a valuation, but the price she thinks I can get is too tempting to put off selling any longer.’

  ‘And I can guarantee you this place will be snapped up in a jiffy,’ Lori said. ‘You mark my words.’

  Teal had to wonder if Lori could feel the tension in the air. She would have to be dead not to. They couldn’t live in this bubble forever. The house was now finished and it was time to move on to the next stage of their lives.

  ‘That’s good,’ Carissa said, breaking the silence. ‘That’s exactly what Teal wants.’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ Teal said, turning to Lori. ‘Would you like to take the photos now?’

  ‘That would be great.’

  ‘We can start in the bedrooms.’ Teal gave Carissa a slight smile before she and Lori went up the stairs.

  It took fifteen minutes for Lori to take the shots of the rooms, then they ended up outside to photograph the exterior. When Lori had packed away her camera and sped off in her Mini to upload the listing on the website that day, Teal went back inside and found Carissa staring out of the window.

  ‘Are you all right?’ Teal asked her

  ‘Yes,’ Carissa said distractedly. ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘You sure?’

  ‘Do you really have to ask, Teal? If you want the truth. No, I’m not fine. My heart is breaking.’ Tears welled in her eyes. ‘But you don’t seem to give a shit. You’re just going on your merry way.’

  Teal went to Carissa and gathered her in her arms.

  ‘I’m not strong enough for this,’ Carissa cried, wrapping her arms around Teal’s waist.

  Teal stroked Carissa’s hair gently. ‘Neither am I.’

  ‘But you’re selling the house—’

  ‘You know it’s always been my intention.’

  Carissa’s arms dropped to her sides. ‘If you’re trying to make me feel better, it isn’t working.’

  ‘Then how about I just give it to you straight?’

  Carissa sniffed. ‘I’m listening.’

  ‘I want something more—’

  ‘More than just a casual fling?’ There was hope in Carissa’s voice.

  Teal nodded.

  ‘Like a relationship?’

  Teal twisted her lips. ‘I hate that word. How about we have.’ She paused. ‘A keepsie. That’s it. I want a keepsie. Something that will last forever.’

  Carissa looked downcast again. ‘Have you forgotten we live over two hundred miles apart?’

  ‘We don’t have to if you agree to renovate another property for me.’

  Carissa’s solemn face suddenly brightened. ‘Are you serious?’

  ‘Very. It’s in London. I bought a property for an art school I’m opening there.’

  ‘An art school? So you’re going to draw again?’

  ‘Looks that way,’ Teal said, becoming increasingly worried that Carissa hadn’t immediately agreed to her job offer. ‘So what’s it going to be? You up for it. Though, I have to tell you, it’s going to be a long renovation.’

  Carissa looked thoughtful for a moment then said, ‘For me to say yes, there’d have to be certain benefits.’

  ‘Benefits?’ Teal looked at her enquiringly.

  ‘I mean what else are you offering me?’

  ‘Depends if you think sharing a room with me can be classed as one.’

  ‘Oh, I’d say it was.’ Carissa grinned. ‘Anything else?’

  Without a word, Teal walked over to the sideboard, slid her hand inside a drawer and withdrew an envelope. Now this was the tricky part. Her stomach churned as she handed it to Carissa. In a matter of seconds, Teal would either be the happiest woman alive or the saddest.

  ‘What’s this?’ Carissa said, eyeing it with suspicion. ‘A contract?’

  ‘Open it.’

  Carissa tore back the flap and fished inside, before pulling out the contents. Her forehead creased as she looked down at the papers in her hand. ‘Tickets to India?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I’m confused,’ Carissa said. ‘Why have you got tickets to India?’

  ‘Other than because of its natural beauty you mean? Well, the purchase of my new place is going to take three months. So in the meantime, I thought after the stress of doing this place we needed a break.’

  ‘You do know that some people go to India to find themselves.’

  ‘Not me.’ Teal pulled her into an embrace. ‘I’ve already found what I’m looking for with you.’

  Carissa linked her arms around Teal’s neck. ‘And what’s that?’

  Teal planted a long kiss on her lips. ‘Love.’

  The End

  Falling

  Chapter One

  Amelia stared woefully at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes awash with tears. What’s wrong with me? Am I really that bad?

  Despite having ‘I am Enough’ Post-it Notes plastered all over her bathroom mirror, Amelia felt far from enough. In fact, her self-worth couldn’t have been any lower. She knew in her heart of hearts that she shouldn’t need another person’s desire to validate her, but it was so hard, especially when she’d been single for over a year. A year without love. Without sex. Was that a record? At her age, she should have been fighting women off, not sitting in her flat, waiting to see if yet another emotionally unavailable woman was going to dump her after their first date.

  Amelia accepted it was a sign of the times – where men and women were a commodity. Dating apps had seen to this. She always likened the online dating process to searching for a job. You put all that effort into finding exactly the right fit for you and, after what you thought was an amazing interview, nothing. At least with a job application the company didn’t ghost you if you contacted them afterwards. Amelia gave a bitter laugh at the thought of how many times this had happened in her personal life. Twenty-five dates later and none had gone further than a snog.

  It wasn’t as if Amelia hadn’t been warned by her friends that internet dating was not for her. It was a jungle out there, she’d been told right before putting her profile on Meet and Greet, but did she listen? No! She never did. Somehow, she had tried to convince herself that it would be different for her. That her potential soulmate would be able to see her true qualities, and together they would sail off into the sunset.

  How quickly that dream dissolved into a pile of nothingness.

  Why couldn’t women just be honest about how they felt? The mind games they played messed with her head. So much so, that after today’s latest let down, she had deleted her profile on the dating app and sworn herself to lifelong celibacy. What I don’t have, I won’t miss.

  Hearing her mobile phone ring, Amelia pursed her lips and mentally prepared herself for the dialogue she had been practicing in her head all evening, on the off-chance Liz did actually call.

  It was ten p.m. Their date was meant to have been at seven.

  Dropping her voice an octave to give the impression she had just woken up, she said, ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hey! Sorry about the—’

  ‘No need to apologise, Liz.’ Pause. ‘You actually did me a favour by not turning up tonight.’