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Quietly opening the door, she headed down the landing and into the bathroom. On her return she paused at Rose’s door and pushed it open just enough to look in. The slow, rhythmic rise of the duvet told her she was asleep.

Creeping back into Frances’s room, she closed the door, hung the gown, and slipped back into bed without waking her. It might have only been one night, but she was going to stretch it out as long as she could. Lucie didn’t like it, but she understood. Frances had more than enough on her plate, and the hundred miles between them — a mere train journey, but a distance all the same — wouldn’t make things any easier. She, too, would be busy with a new job and then university. Even so, if Frances changed her mind, she would move heaven and earth to make it work.

She shifted slightly, watching Frances sleep, trying to fix the moment in her mind. How long before it slipped out of reach? She had offered the house to live in, but would staying in her orbit prove too much? They had crossed a line now, albeit briefly, and she wasn’t even sure the offer would still remain.

Frances began to twitch beside her, her mouth making small movements, then a small sound. “No. No.”

Lucie placed a hand on Frances’s arm, hoping to soothe her. Instead, her eyes opened wide.

“Were you having a bad dream?” Lucie asked softly, removing her hand.

Frances blinked. “It’s nothing.”

Lucie raised an eyebrow at her.

“Mum had put toasters in every room of the hall,” she said eventually. “Filled them with bread and left them to burn.” She sucked in a noisy breath. “She burnt the place to the ground.”

“On purpose?”

Frances thought for a moment. “I don’t think so, but it felt that way.”

“It’s not real.”

“I know that,” Frances said sharply. She sat up, trying to cover herself with the duvet as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Reaching for a throw at the end of the bed, she added, “I should check on her.”

“I just went to the loo and stuck my head around the door. She’s fast asleep.”

Frances paused, clutching the fabric.

“Talk to me,” Lucie said quietly. “It’s the least you can do if you’re going to break my heart.”

Frances lowered her head, then slowly slipped back under the duvet. The space between them felt colder now, despite how close they’d been only hours before.

“I was very clear last night. I’m sorry, we probably shouldn’t have... complicated things. My life is too—” She broke off with a sigh. “Too full of responsibilities. I’m very grateful for everything you have done for us; you’ve helped me through such a difficult period at work.”

Lucie exhaled, not even bothering to mask her frustration at Frances’s sudden formality. She was making it sound like last night was some kind of thank-you fuck. A reward or payment for her help.

“Can you stop finding reasons why it was the wrong thing to do and just admit you enjoyed it as much as I did?”

Frances pinked; Lucie could almost hear the blood rushing into her cheeks.

“I did enjoy it. I’m not denying that. I just can’t see beyond it. We’re moving in opposite directions.”

“But we fit together so well. The last few months...” Lucie sighed. “I’ve felt full in a way I’ve not felt in a long time. It’s not often you connect with someone like I feel I have with you. I’ve looked forward to seeing you. Every day.”

“I know,” Frances whispered.

Lucie took that to mean she felt the same.

“If I stayed⁠—”

“No,” Frances said, far too quickly for Lucie’s liking.

“Why not?”

“Because you shouldn’t stay, and I don’t want to be the reason that you do. You have a fantastic opportunity ahead of you, a chance to follow your dreams and become a therapist. I don’t want to get in the way of any of it. I won’t get in the way,” she added, more firmly. “I have given up so much of myself over the years, bending to other people’s needs and expectations. I won’t ask you to do the same.”

Lucie wanted to say that she didn’t have to ask, that she would do it willingly, but deep down she knew Frances had made up her mind. She had last night. Lucie had accepted it then, and she needed to accept it now, even if her heart was breaking.