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?"

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

forced a smile, wishing the ground would

me? I'm so

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

smiles, chimed in, "Last time, I was here too. I got a bit loud with Mrs. Sherwood, you must

moment her

into

casting

suspicion, and

two... settled your differences? Made up?" one of

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

thought she had answered cleverly, even throwing in a proverb, unaware Beverley wanted nothing more than to

question itself was a trap! Answering

dispute? One could easily guess it involved Murray. It would confirm rumors of him getting someone

in their circle had

if ignored. But Maisie,

that's the story-" The lady, already not Beverley's biggest fan, smiled

little family reunion then. Let's

with the juicy gossip, the group