Alice could imagine Jane lying back in the bath, soaking. ‘I’m leaving some pants outside the door. A sweater. And some underwear.’ ‘That’s kind.’ ‘We’re about the same size.’ ‘Yes.’ ‘I’m going to get cleaned up myself now. Get ready to go.’ ‘All right.’ Still relaxed. Alice had run her own bath before collecting up the change of clothes for Jane. She lowered herself carefully, ribs aching, into the water, hotter than she normally had it, hoping the heat would ease away the discomfort of her retching. Where would she be sleeping, bathing, tomorrow morning? Not this early, she hoped. But safe. Both of them hidden away where no one could find them. She’d handled it very badly, Alice conceded. It was hardly a situation that could have been handled well but she should have done better than she had. Nothing she could do about it now. A pity that John had always insisted on showering and shaving in the second bathroom – You need your space in the morning, because you’re a grouch!
