Yes, she’d pick her up. Yes, she’d drive at night to lessen the chances of being seen. Yes, Nicole could stay with Milly. Yes, she’d find a way to hide her.

Which was why she was now, against her better judgment, sitting in the middle of nowhere waiting for a train that was late and a friend she wasn’t sure she wanted to see.

The assertiveness course clearly hadn’t worked. If she was more assertive, she’d demand a refund.

A sound cut through her thoughts, and she saw the train approaching. Finally.

She felt a slight stirring of dread. The fabric of their friendship had been stretched by their diversifying paths and was now torn in so many places it was barely holding together. Their relationship hadn’t just changed, it was unrecognizable.

Usually the only emotion she felt before seeing Nicole was excitement, but tonight her stomach churned with an uncomfortable mix of hurt and resentment.

Where had Nicole been when Milly had needed her?

She was upset and a little bit angry but, most of all, deeply disappointed that their friendship had fallen short of what she’d believed it to be. Never before had she felt the need to protect herself in the friendship, but she did now. And it made her feel lonely.

Not lonely for company, because she had plenty of that, but lonely for that one person she could say anything to in the knowledge she’d be understood and not judged. Someone who knew what she was feeling without Milly having to spell it out.

The train slowed down and stopped, and Milly peered into the dimly lit station, but there were only two people visible. One was a man in his fifties, who immediately strode toward the parked car that Milly had noticed earlier, and the other was a woman of significantly advanced years wearing a coat that had seen better days and a hat that concealed most of her white hair. She was dragging a small suitcase and stooping badly, so bent over she was struggling to walk even with the help of a walking stick.

There was no sign of Nicole, which was confusing because it had been Nicole who had insisted Milly be poised for a quick getaway.

A quick getaway. Was that even possible in a small family hatchback? Milly hadn’t been in the mood for drama. We’re not in a movie now, Nicole.

And Nicole’s response to her. You have no idea what my life is like.

Milly couldn’t argue with that.

She had no idea what it was like to be one of the most in-demand actors of her generation, commanding millions for each movie. And as if acting talent and looks (voted Most Beautiful Woman two years running) wasn’t enough, Nicole’s last blockbuster had required her to sing, and she’d stunned the world with her voice.

Milly sighed.