"Alice, are you in there?" Jean pressed her ear to the Ladies' door. She detected faint breathing. "Let me in, please."
After a long minute, clacking heels approached and the lock clicked. Jean slowly opened the door.
Alice stood with her back to the doorway, a lit cigarette fiddling in her trembling fingers.
"I didn't know you smoked."
"Calms my nerves."
"i'll have one then."
It was Alice's turn to say, "I didn't know you smoked."
"Just calming my nerves." Jean took a careful puff and immediately coughed. It had been too long. She sat on the toilet and looked Alice over. Her silver satin suit, her smart hat with a high peak and bit of veil, and the white rose bouquet, abandoned in the sink. The next puff came easier. "What happened, Alice?"
"I changed my mind, that's all."
"Usually, when a bride changes her mind, she leaves her groom at the altar. She doesn't run off after the priest declares you man and wife."
Alice cleared her throat. "Wife. Mrs Lawson. I...can't."
"You will still be Dr Harvey."
"It's not just the name, it's being a wife— You wouldn't understand."
"No?"
"You love being a wife."
"I love being Lucien's wife."
"I do love Matthew, but to be a wife—" Alice repeated.
The two women fell into silence, finishing their cigarettes.
"I suppose you could get an annulment—"
Alice shifted her eyes.
"Oh," said Jean. She stood and smoothed her skirt, then took a risk. "You're stuck."
Alice looked around as though seeking escape. Jean held her breath. Then Alice picked up her bouquet. "Guess so."
In the corridor, Matthew had his hands shoved in his pockets. He didn't appear put out. "Right?" he asked, and Alice nodded. This is what it was to be Alice's husband.