The Retreat by Stephanie Hazeltine

Author:Stephanie Hazeltine [Stephanie Hazeltine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

When I get back to my room, I’m furious. Molly just let them attack me. She’s the one to blame. This place has non-existent security.

I pace the room. I know what I need to do.

I dial Megan’s number and she answers straight away. Probably keen to hear how the Q&A went, and if I got any good content to forward onto her for marketing. She’s about to be thoroughly disappointed.

We exchange hellos and I cut to the chase.

‘Shit just hit the fan, Megan. Book me a flight home. Preferably tonight, otherwise first thing tomorrow.’

‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on a minute. What’s happened?’

I explain the latest turn of events, ending with the angry mob I just ran from.

‘I see.’

I can practically hear the wheels turning in her head, trying to work out how to spin this and make it a positive, make it profitable. I’m being accused of leaving threatening notes by people and they claim to have told no one except me about the things the notes reveal. It looks damming and I don’t know how it’s happening. I don’t know how to spin this.

‘Okay,’ she finally says. ‘I’ll come to you. You’ve signed a contract to host this retreat. You won’t get work again if you break it. But I can come there and do damage control. I’ll be there early tomorrow.’

‘But …’ I begin to protest, before she cuts me off.

‘No buts, Celia. You can’t just leave.’

I want to scream. It’s like I’m a prisoner.

‘Surely I can say one of the kids is unwell.’

‘That’ll look like an obvious lie, an easy excuse to run away from whatever’s going on there. The public will see right through it.’

I know I’m going to lose this argument. I sigh loudly. ‘I hope you have a solid plan by morning.’ Then I hang up on her.

Grabbing a bottle of wine, I throw open the front door, ready to find Kitty and get drunk. But as I open the door, Molly is standing there. Her expression is difficult to read. Her eyes are like ice, cold and staring into mine. I can’t tell if she’s angry or about to burst into tears or both. I also can’t tell if her anger is directed at me or if she shares my anger at the psycho mob out there.

‘Celia, can we talk?’ she asks, her voice shaky and it answers my question—she’s trying not to cry.

‘I’m on my way out. We’ll talk tomorrow when my manager arrives.’

Her shoulders sag. ‘Manager?’

‘Megan will be here first thing to discuss the rest of the retreat.’

Molly nods slowly. ‘Can I get you anything tonight?’

‘Have a bottle of Veuve delivered to Kitty’s room.’ I’m going to need a lot of alcohol tonight. ‘And keep that group of psychos away from me,’ I say, pointing in the direction of the room we were all in earlier.

‘Of course.’

‘Oh, and Molly,’ I add. ‘Cancel my morning therapy sessions. And I’ll take breakfast in my room.’

She nods, but says nothing before turning away and rushing back in the direction of the main building.

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