LITMIR.BIZ

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looks to either side. He didn’t skulk away incognito. His head was high and he looked pretty happy.

      ‘I need to use your toilet.’

      Mr Perspex has never had a customer ask before and this one doesn’t even seem to be a customer but Mr Perspex shrugs and tells Thea it’s out the back. She vomits. She throws up everything she has inside her. She flushes it away but suddenly there’s more. She flushes again before another churning spasm scorches her stomach and burns her throat as she hurls bile down into the toilet. Flush it away. Flush it away. She heaves and retches but at last there’s nothing left. Physically, it’s a relief yet still she feels desperately sick.

      Nothing’s left. There is nothing left.

Alice?

       u there, Mr B?

      Yes, he is!

       howz u? I miss u, u mad sexy bitch!

       miss u 2

      ‘Who are you texting, Alice?’

      ‘No one – I mean, it’s just a work matter, Mark.’

      ‘Do you fancy Thai?’

      ‘Sorry?’

      ‘Thai – takeaway?’

      ‘Yes. Sure. Whatever. Just give me a minute, would you, Mark?’

       bad timing, txt u L8R xxxxxxxxxxx

      ‘Sorry, Mark. Now, what were you saying?’

      ‘Do you fancy Thai?’

      ‘I’m not hugely hungry, actually.’

      ‘Well, there’s nothing in the fridge.’

      ‘I’ve been busy!’

      ‘I’m not criticizing you, Alice – I just said we’ve nothing in the house so do you fancy popping out for a meal or ordering a takeaway?’

      ‘Oh. OK. Sure. Order plenty and I’ll have a nibble.’

      ‘OK. Unless you’d rather go out?’

      ‘No – takeaway is fine. Just get a takeaway.’

       u there, big boy?

       yes – thnkng of ur hot bod …

       my hot bod v v slippry!

       me hard & horny – wanna suk?

       yum yum cum! come 2 me! come 2 uk??!!

       luv 2 but me skint

       but I want 2 play with my toyboy …

       can u fone?

       no – not now – not poss xxxxx

      ‘Here we go – I ordered way too much. Are you all right, Alice?’

      ‘Sorry? Yes, I’m fine. Just thinking about work actually.’

      ‘I popped into Blockbuster too.’

      ‘I have some work to do – do you mind if I disappear for an hour or so?’

      ‘No – of course. Here, let me do you a plateful. There you are, darling.’

      ‘Thanks, Mark.’

       I cld send u tix …

       wots ‘tix’?

       TICKETS – idiot! u r all balls, no brain!!

       Easyjet/Eurostar etc

       but I’m broke Alice!

       am sure u can thnk of ways 2 recompense me, Mr B

       cld fuck u til you beg for mercy …

       hmmm that’ll do nicely!

       seriously, Alice – u serious?

       v serious – will research & fone/txt u 2moro

       xxxxxxxxxxxx

       xxxxxxxxxxxx

      ‘How did it go?’

      ‘That was delicious.’

      ‘How did it go? The work – all done?’

      ‘Oh. Yes. It’s fine. I just wanted to try to sort something out. Mark – have you any trips booked in the near future?’

      ‘I’m not sure. Why?’

      ‘Oh, nothing. It doesn’t matter.’

      ‘I know what you’re after – a holiday! Good call, Alice – we haven’t been away for ages. Tell you what, I’ll mention it tomorrow. What a great idea. How about the Maldives – ultra luxury.’

      ‘But are you going away on business at all? Soon?’

      ‘I don’t think so – no plans to. Anyway, you know what – sod it! I’d cancel!’

       u there? X

      When Alice’s phone buzzed a message through two hours later, her heart skipped but then slumped at not seeing Paul’s name flash up. Her heart then picked up its pace a little when she saw it was from Thea. Alice read it and then deleted it.

      I am here, Thea. But I’m not quite ready yet, lady.

Thea?

      ‘Hi, babe – just me. I’ll leave a message on your land line. Call me when you get this. Bye!’

       lunch 2day? Film 2nite? Sx

      ‘Oh, hi hon – it’s just me – I’m wondering if you’ve lost your mobile? Anyway, give me a call as soon as you can. Bye.’

       earth 2 Thea, earth 2 Thea … Wheres u???? Fone me!! Sxxxx

      ‘Hullo, babe – have you been abducted by aliens? Fallen down a well? Run away? I’m slightly worried now – give us a call. OK. Bye.’

       r my txts arriving – is your fone on the blink?? Sxx

      ‘Er. It’s just me – Saul – I think you’ve probably lost your mobile but I’m leaving this message anyway and I’ll call your land line again. If you pick up this message, can you phone me, babe? Speak to you soon, bye.’

      ‘Thea, it’s gone lunchtime now – can you please phone me as soon as you get this message? Love you.’

      ‘Alice? It’s Saul. Yes – I’ll be in around three-ish. Listen, I don’t suppose you’ve heard from Thea, have you? No? No – no reason – I think she may have lost her mobile, that’s all – daft thing. OK, I’ll see you later – yes, I’ll bring them in with me.’

      ‘Thea, it’s Saul – if you’re there can you pick up, please. I popped into the Being Well but you’re not there and they don’t know where you are either. Can you phone me as soon as you get this? Or text. I’m at home – but the mobile is on, too. Speak soon. Love you.’

      ‘Hi, Alice – it’s Saul again. Listen, do you mind if I cancel the meeting – Thea’s

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