Hecate couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had taken a risk by attempting to date someone so out of her comfort zone for the last few months and now Lynne Lamplighter was acting thoroughly conventional.

'I don't reeeeeeally want to go on a holiday together.'

Lynne whisked her straw around in her drink and sipped it with a whimsical head tilt. Hecate frowned at her, the happy cosy feeling she was daring to feel, dissipating like mist.

'I was hoping to go on a weekend away.' She said in a deceptively calm tone, willing the surge of distress to stay locked in her heart.

'Wellllllll, I've never had good experiences going away with girlfriends. We'd start off with the best of intentions and always end up arguing and come home sulking. I've been there done that' said Lynne carelessly, slurping through her straw. Hecate hated that. It made her twitch. She could feel the corner of her eye fluttering at the sound.

'I haven't' said Hecate softly but firmly. She had had enough of tiptoeing. 'I've never been on holiday with anyone. I don't think I'm being unreasonable in expecting that would be on the cards at some point.'

Lynne leaned forward and placed a hand over Hecate's.

'I wouldn't like to break up with you over this, Hecate. We're muddling along really well.'

Hecate could feel resentment rise.

'I don't want to muddle along with someone, I expect to be in a relationship with them' she hissed. 'I don't appreciate being messed around like this.' She wrenched her hand back angrily.

'I'm not. Don't be so sensitive' chided Lynne.

Hecate sat back and glared at her. She knew that this was the end of whatever this was and she didn't have the energy to fight it.

The woman opposite them drained her mug and got up to gather her handbag, scoffing under her breath. They looked over at her. She looked at Lynne.

'You really are so self-centred. You've spent the past hour talking about yourself and your job. You've dismissed her feelings on something she's obviously wanted and not let her get a word in edgeways.'

She turned to Hecate.

'If she won't take you on holiday, I would.'

Hecate felt a stirring in her heart as the implication of the words rang in her ears. The woman walked off scornfully. Her pink handbag had a cat face on it. Hecate suddenly felt drained.

'Fine. Maybe you should let her. Take you on holiday' said Lynne peevishly.

'Maybe I should' retorted Hecate as she got up to leave. 'At least someone thinks I'm worth it.'