712 Do You Understand

‘I am trusting you, Ashleigh… you understand how significant that is, don’t you?’

Ashleigh’s eyes widened with understanding as Alice’s voice called out from the past. Now she realized her mistake.

“I think maybe we all need to calm down a bit, yea?” Maeve said, carefully beginning to move to separate them if needed.

“Maeve,” Ashleigh said, keeping her eyes on Alice, “we’re fine. Stay where you are.”

“No offense, but Alice doesn’t seem all that fine,” Maeve replied softly.

Alice did not respond, no quip, no smile. Which only unsettled Maeve even more.

“That’s because Alice is misunderstanding the situation,” Ashleigh said.

“Am I?” Alice replied flatly. “Please, enlighten me.”

Ashleigh took a slow breath and moved toward Alice.

“I know what you are worried about,” she said softly, “this is not that, I promise.”

Alice gave a gentle scoff.

“Should I just take your word for it?” Alice asked.