Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Two days later, just as Beverley was beginning to think she was off the hook, Maisie's call came through, and it wasn't about borrowing money. "...What did you just say?!"

Maisie's voice was as casual as if she were discussing the weather. "Why don't you take me and my boy for that fancy afternoon tea at the hotel you went to with those high-society ladies last time? Is there a problem?" Beverley struggled to resist the temptation to throw her phone across the room. Clenching her teeth, she articulated each word with barely contained fury. "That hotel is members-only!"

"And your point is?"

"If you're not a member, you can't get in!"

"So, make me a member, easy peasy."

Beverley felt her teeth grinding against each other.

Make her a member? As if it were that simple!

You had to rack up spending of over two million just to qualify for a lifetime membership. And Maisie thought she was entitled to that?

"I don't care, I want to go there for tea today. You figure it out!"

In the end, Beverley used her own membership to sneak the duo in.

Just their luck, they bumped into a group of Beverley's acquaintances, the very same society ladies.

"Mrs. Sherwood? Is that you?"

calling you, but you didn't respond. We thought we

forced a smile, wishing the ground would swallow

call me? I'm so

Farley. "They look familiar. Have we seen them somewhere before?" The

got a bit loud

moment her words

into

casting glances

suspicion, and something indefinably

Made up?" one of the ladies

could say anything, Maisie cut in, "Of course! All sorted out! You know the saying, 'better to

throwing in a proverb, unaware Beverley wanted nothing more than to

trap! Answering would imply there had been a

it involved Murray. It would confirm rumors of him getting someone

whispers in their

Maisie, bless her, had to jump out and

The lady, already not Beverley's biggest fan, smiled

your little family reunion then. Let's

the juicy gossip, the group