Alice observed the other woman closely as they sat down to drink their coffee. The dark haired woman was as well dressed as ever, but her handsome female features were sort of clouded by something. Lack of sleep and too much alcohol, Alice guessed. She smiled to herself as she remembered her first impression of the woman in front of her. Someone who was personally dressed by Yves Saint Laurent. She could still see it, but now she saw more than the expensive suit. Was it sadness? Alice did not doubt it after judging Helena’s behaviour a few nights ago.

“So Helena How’re you doing?” She asked casually, not really sure what else to say. Maybe this was a good way to start the conversation.

“I’m very well, thank you.” Helena answered politely. “And you?” The embarrassment and shyness the blonde had noticed before seemed to have vanished, replaced by a surface of good manners.

“Good. Yeah, good thanks.” Alice caught herself laughing a weird, nervous laugh that irritated her. Except for being curious to find out the real reason why Helena had drunken herself into a near state of coma in a very public place Alice also felt the urge to apologize for what she had said to her in the hospital. She had felt bad about it since it happened, and now was the time to try and make up for it. “Um Helena, I just wanted to say that I’m really sorry for what I said the other day.” Alice did not have the courage to look the heiress in the eyes as she spoke. She just lifted her glance when she finished the sentence.

“It’s quite all right.” Helena answered simply. Alice was not at all sure it was ‘quite all right’. Helena’s expression did not give anything away. She just seemed indifferent to the whole thing.

“I mean that was totally none of my business. I just wish I’d kept my big mouth shut.” The blonde got a bit nervous as the pale blue eyes rested upon her, not showing the least bit of emotion. “Sometimes I wish I had a zipper on my mouth” Alice murmured angrily, more to herself that to Helena. Suddenly the other woman’s features seemed to lighten up a little.