[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

This time, Jess gave a genuine smile. [color=teal]"Hey... Nothing to apologise for."[/color] It hadn't been Roxy's fault, far from it. Roxy had been doing her utmost to keep her out of it, but there had been no getting around what Reginald wanted. 

She wanted to apologise again herself, for the information she'd let slip that had made the situation worse, but she bit back the urge. [color=teal]"I just wanted to say, thank you,"[/color] she said instead. [color=teal]"For helping. For caring, even with everything you were dealing with yourself... You were going through so much more. If there's anything I can do to help you..."[/color] She paused. Sounding doubtful certainly wasn't a way to help. [color=teal]"I mean, I know we can. We can help each other. We'll figure out a way."[/color]

At Roxy's suggestion of relaxing, she nodded, dragging her suitcase upstairs. Relaxing wouldn't be easy, but at least they had a short while before they'd have to deal with this again.

...

As slowly as the hours had dragged by at Reginald's place, they passed too quickly now. Evening gave way to night, then to morning.

Jess hadn't slept well, but was up bright and early for work as usual. Slouched over the dining table, she stared blankly at her phone before sighing and typing the message to her mother. Such an innocent sounding one, even if Reginald's ploy to gain her trust was anything but.

[color=teal]"That's that done with..."[/color] she muttered, gripping the phone and trying not to think of the inevitable family meetings.