A quick glance revealed nothing new – a few work emails that could wait until tomorrow. As Bette was replacing the device back into her clutch, she felt the vibration. Her pulse picked up.

Tina: Please wish Al a happy birthday – her Instagram posts look like she is having fun.

Bette stared. Surely Tina had wished Alice a happy birthday herself already? This was the thing about having this… arrangement. Innocent messages read differently when there was a story between the lines. Bette sighed, sipping her cocktail without choking this time. Recently, it was hard to tell with Tina. Maybe hard wasn’t the right word. Different? In their previous life, Bette felt like she could easily read Tina. But maybe that was another item to add to the list of things she was wrong about. Maybe the fact that Tina could always read her had made her feel the same way without it always being true. Bette decided on a cautious message that wouldn’t rouse suspicion.

Bette: Will do. Alice is definitely having fun. If I had to guess she is on her fourth or fifth cocktail, so she is celebrating in style.

Bette paused, re-read, and sent. She didn’t want the exchange to be over.

Bette: Working late?

She chastised herself. Acting like a damn teenager. Nicole and Alice glanced her way, now gathered with a few people that Bette didn’t recognise. Bette cursed herself and held her phone up apologetically, gaining a smile and a nod from Nicole, then walked over to the edge of the rooftop where the crowd was less dense. She watched the dots appear on the screen.

Tina: Sort of. Packing for my next work trip. Not sure what to wear for an important meeting on Saturday.

Okay so it’s this type of conversation. Bette looked over at her date, who was holding court with Alice and a crowd. Why can’t I just move on? Be normal? But like a sailor to a siren’s call, Tina drew her in again.

Bette: Well, I always say you can’t go wrong with black. But it depends on the audience.

Careful, careful. Everything still above board. To an uninformed eye, it was just an exchange between ex-wives about clothes. Or something. Bette locked her phone, and turned to face the sea of high-rise buildings. What are we doing… again? Their second affair. It was laughable really. She drained the last of her ghastly cocktail, making a note to ask for something else next time, when her phone vibrated in her hand. Looking down, Bette could see a thumbnail of an image from Tina. She froze, glancing around to make sure she was still alone. What the fuck is she thinking!?