Although her office was now in a different part of town, Marissa planned to continue her tradition of visiting Krystal's for lunch now Bianca was home from hospital.
She entered and walked up to the counter and ordered the soup of the day from Camilla. Then she notice Reese sitting in the corner with a laptop.
"She's been here all morning." Camilla explained.
Concerned Marissa walked over to say hi.
"Are you avoiding home?" Marissa asked.
She had meant it as a joke, but Reese gave her a look that showed it wasn't far from the truth.
"Something happen between you and Maggie?" Marissa asked.
"You know it did." said Reese sadly.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I thought you two were getting along."
Reese sighed.
"So did I."
"So what happened?"
"I don't know. It's just Maggie last night and Maggie this morning seemed like two different people…" she said. "I mean she started it!" Reese exclaimed childishly and she then looked embarrassed. "I shouldn't be talking to you about this."
Marissa however wasn't really listening anyway; she had noticed that Reese's laptop screen was showing apartments on a local property website. Reese was house shopping.
"You planning to stick around?" She asked and Reese's eyes were drawn to her computer screen.
"I was just looking." she said. "I feel like I'm imposing now Bianca's home."
"You're not imposing. The kids love having you about." said Marissa.
She couldn't help notice that the few apartments listed were two or three bedroom.
Reese saw her looking.
"It was just an idea…" she said quickly closing the down the screen.
"But Paris..?"
"I left my last contract in the hands of my assistant… I should have been back a month ago to finalise the drafts for our next project but... things happened. I don't know. I guess that's why I always hated the thought of coming back to Pine Valley. It sucks you in and then suddenly you don't want to leave…"
"So you are thinking staying?" Marissa asked, still surprised by the unexpected revelation.
"Like I said," said Reese quietly, "I was just looking."
…