Slowly, she opened her eyes and blinked. Her body felt warm and relaxed and more at ease than it had for weeks. It was still dark outside and she rolled over to slip back into that delicious slumber. As she pulled the quilt up under her chin she caught sight of the illuminated display on her clock – 7.45 a.m. Oh fuck! She leapt out of bed. She hadn’t set the alarm for 6.45 last night. Last night? The memory crashed in on her and she felt the room wobble for a moment. Richard. The orgasm. The orgasm! But it was 7.45; she would be late for work. No time to think. She dashed into the living room, then crashed into the kitchen. Romy should be up. Where was she? ‘In here!’ came a plaintive voice from Romy’s room. Alexia ran in to find Romy in bed, surrounded by crumpled tissues, and the room heavy with the smell of eucalyptus. ‘I told you I was feeling rough last night. Well, I’ve got a shitty cold, so I can’t go in today.’ ‘Oh!’ said Alexia, moving towards her bed.
