Rachel watched Emily closely from then on, but apart from a tendency to look over her shoulder, there was nothing definite. Rachel would have liked to have called her out on this, but of course Emily would deny that she was looking out for anything and she would be on her guard against her. So Rachel simmered.

'Are you all right, Rachel?' Emily asked, breaking into her reverie. It was a nasty, unwelcome jolt to be addressed by Emily, but Rachel did her best to hide her distaste and said, with some surprise,

'I'm fine.'

'You don't look well,' Monica said with a frown. Rachel couldn't help giving her a resentful glance for agreeing with Emily on anything.

'Have you got a headache?' Emily asked. They were quite near her apartment – Ross's apartment – and Emily added, 'Why don't you come up and have something for it. Tea – or whatever you like and a paracetamol.'

'A what?' Monica asked, while Rachel weighed this up.

'I know it has a different name here – just a headache tablet. Rachel can read the packet and decide if she wants to take it or not.' Rachel found them both looking at her. She was supposed to be sticking near Emily, on the chance that she'd spot something suspicious. She'd already had some success and it would be foolish to pass up an opportunity to continue her success.

'Er yes, yes I do have a headache. The crowds, all of those clothes – ' She'd better not overdo it. Monica's eyebrows had shot up at this, so Rachel added, 'I guess I didn't feel all that well before I went out.'

'You go up and get something,' Monica said.

'You're welcome to come too,' Emily said.

'I've got to get back to my apartment,' Monica said, 'But if it doesn't take too long, I'll come over.' Emily smiled.

'That would be nice.'

So Rachel followed Emily into the apartment. They went into the kitchen and Emily gave Rachel a glass of water and the packet of tablets.

'See if you feel like taking one of those,' Emily said. Suddenly the phone rang, and Emily went over to answer it, saying

'I won't be long.' Be as long as you like, Rachel thought as she held the packet of pills. She supposed that to make it look authentic, she'd have to take a pill out, but of course she didn't have to take it. With the pill in hand she tiptoed closer to the door where she could hear Emily in conversation.

'Oh Ross, how could you,' Emily laughed. Rachel grimaced. It was Ross, so she'd be taking her time. 'Oh you're so funny!' Emily said, as Rachel moved away from the door. So she'd have to wait around, and then hope Monica was able to come. If Monica didn't come, she'd talk to Emily for as long as she could stand, and then she'd leave…

She went to the bin to ditch her pill when she noticed a white corner with a stamp. It was a stamp that didn't have the name of the country on it, and Rachel frowned, wondering what kind of stamp it could be? A novelty stamp? She pulled the envelope and discovered that it was only a quarter of an envelope. The fragment she held included the letters 'ltham.' It must have been addressed to Emily. By someone who didn't want to use her proper name 'Waltham Geller' but only 'Waltham.' Well it was true, Rachel thought, 'Waltham' was all she deserved, but people should be using both of those names. People.

Who had written this letter? And what had they written in it? Looking over her shoulder and listening carefully, she thought that Emily might be occupied for a little while longer. Unfortunately, the bin was quite full, and the fragment she had got was the only one she had been able to get without touching the other stuff. On her knees, she began to dig around in the rubbish. Oh, why had they had to have fish last night? Rachel lamented as she pulled another fragment out. It was another corner of the envelope. She turned the bits to see if there was any return address, but there wasn't. I can guess who this is from, Rachel thought, determined.

She shuddered as she saw a pregnancy test, thankfully negative. She had to do something about Emily before she got pregnant – she had no right to get pregnant, Rachel thought, because she's not "the one" – and, horrible thought, what if she tried to push someone else's baby onto Ross.

She dug deeper – obviously the letter, if it was here, had been thrown away first and then the envelope. Of course, Rachel realised, when she was up to her elbow in waste, Emily might have kept the letter…

Rachel's questing hand found another fragment. She pulled it out. It was two pieces together, from the bottom of the letter. They were sodden with coffee grounds, tea bags, fish, and other garbage that made it stink so much that Rachel was afraid that the smell would make Emily come in and find out what was going on.

'…back together, the way it should be. You want it just as much as I do. Until Friday,

Colin'

If only there was more – there must be – but as Rachel was about to plunge her hand once more, she heard Emily's voice say, '

'I really must go, Rachel's here.' In fright, Rachel pushed her finds back in the waistband of her pants, closed the lid of the bin and started washing her hands in the kitchen sink.

'I hope that will work,' Emily said, making Rachel jump. 'I didn't mean to startle you,' she added.

'Er, it's okay – just sudden noises.'

'Oh dear, would you like to lie down?' Emily asked. 'We've got a spare room.' Rachel realised that she must smell quite bad and stepped away as Emily approached. It wasn't just the smell on her skin but it was the smell from the papers, hidden in her clothes.

'No, I'd better go home, I think I've got a virus, you'd better not come near me or you might catch it.'

'Oh dear,' Emily said. 'Do you want to take some food?' Rachel stepped away as Emily went to the fridge, because this brought them closer together. She could see Emily's nose twitch. She had to go, or Emily would realise that the smell was Rachel.

'No, no, thanks,' Rachel edged away, circling around Emily, 'I'll go, thanks.' She raced for the door.

Free at last, she thought, as she headed towards home. She'd need a full shower of course, but she had her evidence. Friday was the day.