Free Toxic by Alice Lingard

book on the bedside cabinet. “Thought you were off for a dirty weekend in France.”
    “Mum?”
    “Well? Why aren't you?”
    “Raw got called away.”
    “Work?”
    Lacey shrugged. “Not exactly.”
    “That brother of his?”
    “Yeah.” Lacey had made the mistake of telling her mum about Todd.
    “Is he still with that crazy flatmate of yours?”
    “Suzy's not crazy.”
    Her mum gave her a look.
    “Well okay. She's a bit crazy, but she's harmless.”
    “I thought she already had a boyfriend.”
    “She's got a few.”
    “Is she a bit of a floozy?”
    “No one says floozy any more, mum.”
    “I do. And from what you've told me, it sounds like this Suzy is one. Are they still together?”
    “Your guess is as good as mine. No one has heard from them for weeks. They've just disappeared. Probably drunk somewhere.”
    “What about you and whatshisname? Raw?” Her mum shook her head. “I still can't get used to calling him that.”
    “It takes a while.”
    “Are you two still okay?”
    “We're great—honestly. I've never been happier. I just wish this Todd thing was sorted.”
    “As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Now go and make us both a cup of tea. And bring me my Hobnobs. Tom won't let me have them. Reckons they're bad for me. Stupid old bugger.”
    “Where is he?”
    “I sent him into town shopping.”
    “If there was something you needed, you should have given me a call.”
    “I didn't need anything. I just wanted him out from under my feet. I love his bones, but he's a bit of a nag. Besides, I wanted to finish my book.”
     
    “There you go.” Lacey put the cup of tea on the bedside cabinet, and passed a plate with two Hobnobs on it to her mum.
    “Two? Is that all I get? I thought you'd bring me the packet.”
    “And have Tom on my case? No chance.”
    Lacey couldn't help a smile when her mum dunked the biscuit in her tea. That was one habit which definitely ran in the family.
    “Are you still enjoying the job?” her mum asked.
    “Yeah. I really am. And I'm good at it.”
    “Modest too.”
    “The work isn't that difficult. Most of it's just common-sense. There's only one slight downside.”
    “What's that?”
    “Everyone knows I only got the job because I'm with Raw.”
    “What does it matter so long as you can do it?”
    “Most of the time it doesn't, but there's this one woman: Karen Montgomery—head of HR. She takes every opportunity to take a shot at me. She's got a thing about Raw. She actually told me they'd had a fling.”
    “Had they?”
    “No. Raw went ballistic when I told him what she'd said. He wanted to fire her, but I managed to talk him out of it.”
    “That was clever of you.”
    “I couldn't let him do that. She might be a bitch, but she doesn't deserve to lose her job.”
    “You're too nice, Lacey.”
    “I guess.”
    “It's not a bad fault to have.”
     
    One hour later, they were still chatting.
    “Hello! I'm back!”
    “Bloody hell,” Lacey's mum said. “I thought he'd be gone all morning. I'll never get my book read now.”
    Tom walked into the bedroom. “Hi, Lacey. I thought that was your car. Aren't you meant to be in Can?”
    “It's Cannes.” Lacey's mum affected a French accent.
    “That's what I said. Can.”
    “We had to cancel,” Lacey said.
    “Tea anyone?” Tom asked.
    “We've only just had one. Why don't you make yourself a cuppa while we talk?”
    “Okay. I know when I'm not wanted.” Tom smiled.
     
    On her way out, Lacey popped her head around the lounge door. “I'm off, Tom.”
    “Just a second.” Tom beckoned her inside. “Push the door to.”
    “What's the matter?” Lacey said.
    “I was going to call you on Monday when you got back from France.”
    “What's wrong?”
    “Nothing to worry about. Your mum went for a check up last week.”
    “She never told me.”
    “I know. I said she should, but—well, you know your mum. They say she needs a bypass.”
    “Oh god.” Lacey slumped down onto the