Nine Perfect Strangers

‘Awesome,’ said Zoe. The book looked terrible.

It was called Nathaniel’s Kiss and the picture on the front showed a girl with long, curly, fair hair staring wistfully out to sea. At least it didn’t look erotic.

‘Anyway, my last book got rejected,’ said Frances. ‘So I might be looking for a new career soon.’

‘Oh,’ said Zoe. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Well,’ said Frances, and she shrugged, gave her a half-smile, her palm up, and Zoe knew what she was trying to say. Zoe’s friend Erin thought she wasn’t allowed to complain about her life anymore without first prefacing it, ‘I know this is nothing compared to what you’ve been through,’ with this solemn, wide-eyed look, and Zoe always said, ‘Erin, it’s been three years, you’re allowed to complain about your life!’ And then she nodded along sympathetically while thinking, You’re right, your car needing three new tyres is nothing to complain about.

‘I guess I should go back downstairs,’ said Zoe. ‘My parents get paranoid if they can’t pinpoint my location. I think they’d like to put a tracking device on me.’

Frances sighed. ‘I guess I should too.’ But she didn’t move. She gave Zoe a quizzical look. ‘Do you think we’re all going to be “transformed” by the end of this thing?’

‘Not really,’ said Zoe. ‘What do you think?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Frances. ‘I feel like Masha could do anything. She scares the life out of me.’

Zoe laughed and then they both startled at the clamorous sound of a gong being struck repetitively and aggressively from somewhere within the house.

They jumped to their feet and Frances grabbed Zoe’s arm. ‘Oh God, it’s just like boarding school! Do you think we’re in trouble? Or maybe there’s a fire and we’re all evacuating?’

‘I think it probably just means the silence is starting again.’

‘Yes, you’re right. Okay, we’ll go back together. I’ll go first; I’m older, I’m not scared of her.’

‘Yes you are!’

‘I know, I am, terrified! Quick, let’s go! I’ll see you on the other side of the silence.’

‘I’ll read your book.’ Zoe held up the paperback as they left the Lavender Room and headed back downstairs. It was a crazy thing to say, she had no interest in reading a romance book, but whatever, she liked Frances.

‘You’re not meant to read in the silence.’

‘I’m a rebel,’ said Zoe. She shoved the book under her top and into the waist of her bike pants. ‘I’ll be in an alliance with you.’

She was just making a weak joke in reference to Frances’s comment earlier about Survivor, but Frances stopped in her tracks and turned around with a radiant smile. ‘Oh, Zoe, I would love to be in alliance with you.’

And all of a sudden it felt like they were.

chapter thirteen

Masha

Two guests, Zoe Marconi and Frances Welty, had excused themselves from the meditation room and not yet come back. The silence had been broken and one guest, Tony Hogburn, was now demanding his money back and threatening to report Tranquillum House to the Department of Consumer Affairs, blah, blah, blah, Masha had heard it all before, while the remaining guests looked on with curiosity or concern.

Masha saw poor Yao shoot her an anxious look. He was a worrier. There was no need for stress. She could handle the childlike tantrums of one unhappy, unhealthy man. Solving unexpected problems energised her. It was one of her strengths.

‘I am very happy to give you a full refund.’ She fixed Tony with her eyes like a pin through a butterfly. ‘You are free to pack your bags and leave immediately. May I suggest you drive yourself to the nearest village, where you will find a fine pub called the Lion’s Heart? Their menu includes something called a “Mega Monster Burger” with unlimited fries and soft drink. Does that sound delicious?’

‘Sure does,’ said Tony truculently.

And yet he didn’t get to his feet. Oh, my sweetie pie, you need me. You know you need me. You don’t want to be you anymore. Of course you don’t. Who would?

He tried to wriggle free of her gaze but she wouldn’t let him. ‘I understand that you are not happy that we searched your bags, but the terms and conditions of your wellness contract clearly state that we have the right to search luggage and confiscate all contraband.’

‘Seriously? Did anyone read that?’ Tony looked around the room.

Napoleon raised his hand. His wife, Heather, lifted her eyes to the ceiling.