Kiki Archer - When You Know

Chapter One

Theres a fine line between perception and paranoia.

Susan frowned. Who said that?

Jenna nodded. I did.

No, I mean, wheres the quote from?

Jenna puffed up proudly and smiled. Actually, its mine. I inventedit and I even googled it once to make sure no ones said it before.

Susan laughed. Im sure someones said it before.

No, they havent. Its mine and Im claiming it, and I think itperfectly sums up what were about to go through.

Susan lifted her head and looked around the busy airport terminal.Departures?

No! said Jenna. Im talking about your perception versusyour paranoia. Youre paranoid that Im going to run off with some skigirl, or barmaid, or chairlift operator

Or Amber, added Susan, only half joking.

Jenna shook her head and shunted her holdall forwards with herfeet, moving fractionally closer to the busy check-in desk, aware that theirqueue had to snake around another four corners before they got anywhere nearthe front. See, youre paranoid Im going to start something with Amber again.She paused. And I understand why. Your paranoias based on your perception thatI sleep around.

Its not a perception Jenna, its a fact, and Im not trying tobe mean here, and Im actually not worried youll sleep around, but you twohave history. Im worried youll sleep with her. Amber wants you, and not solong ago you wanted her too. Susan took a sharp intake of breath. Against thebar, on the bar, between her legs

Jenna pressed her finger onto Susans lips. Shhh. Susan, please,just shhh. Youre the one I love. Youre the one I want. Youre the one I cantstop thinking about. Youre the one whos given me the most memorable weekever. She smiled. Im one hundred percent sure of everything.

Susan looked into Jennas deep brown eyes and sighed. I want tobelieve you, trust me I do The finger was back, but Susan continued to talk.Im just a realist

Sorry, no, youre muffled, I cant hear you. Jenna raised hereyebrows. If I remove this finger will you listen? Just listen?

Susan noticed the gap in the queue that had appeared in front of them.Fine, she said, sucking her lips and bringing them back to life. We need tomove forwards anyway.

Jenna stayed still. Youre the love of my life, and Im not goinganywhere.

Susan bent down and took hold of the bag, pushing it forwards.Yes you are. Youre going to Morzine, for the next three months.

Jenna stepped in front of Susan and took hold of her shoulders.Yes, to finish the season. My last season. She shook her gently. Imchoosing you, Susan. Im choosing us.

Susan pulled her left arm free and checked her watch. She exhaledheavily and looked around at the crowded queue of holiday makers. Most werealready wearing their big ski jackets and padded Moon Boots, eagerlyanticipating their time in the snow. Youll be gone for three months. Shellbe there, as will all of your other lady-loving ski reps. I wont.

Paranoia, paranoia, paranoia

Maybe youre right. But its not paranoia. Im just worried. Itsa tiny niggling doubt in the back of my mind based on the things Ive seen andthe things youve told me.

Theres a fine line between perception and paranoia.

Yes, I get it, great quote.

Jenna grinned. Im teasing you, Susan. Ive changed. Youvechanged me. Theres no way Id ever jeopardise what weve got.

Susan took another small step forwards and waited for the latest loudechoing airport announcement to stop. She checked her watch once more. Andwhat have we got?

Jenna frowned. Weve got a blossoming relationship. Weve got ashared desire to make this work. She paused. Weve got love havent we?

Susan sighed. Its been two weeks in total. Maybe thiswhirlwinds blinded us. Maybe we should just use this time to step back fromthe whole situation and try and figure out whats going on. Maybe

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Jenna shook her head. Stop. Wheres thiscoming from?

Susan was about to reply when she felt a sharp bang on the back ofher heel. Oww, she gasped, looking down and realising the noisy family frombehind had once again slid their skis too far forwards in the queue.

Sorry, said the man, stepping over his familys mound of luggageand bending down to retrieve the long bag. He stood back up, totally hot andbothered, all trussed up in his ski suit and hat. Bloody check-in always takestoo long. The wife told me to travel in my ski gear. She said there wasnt enoughroom in the suitcase for all this padded stuff. He looked down at Jennassmall piece of hand luggage. Morzine? he asked with a frown.

Jenna nodded. Im a ski rep. Ive had a week off. Im flying backout to finish the season.

The man stepped in closer, desperate for a break from his overexcitable children and constantly complaining wife. Sisters?

Yes, said Susan.

No, said Jenna, at exactly the same time.

Jenna looked at Susan and frowned. Youre my girlfriend.

Susan blushed. Sorry, I wasnt thinking. She coughed and loweredher voice. But we dont really need to announce it over the Tannoy, do we?

Girlfriends, eh? Youre brave, love, said the man, directing hisattention to Susan, letting her loose on the slopes. Havent you seen thatprogramme, Snow, Sex, and Suspicious Parents? Its always the ski reps whoend up getting off with those young kids. He grinned at Jenna. But hey, what happenson the slopes stays on the slopes, right? He nodded his head backwards. I usedto have a real life before my wife came along and put a dampener on things.

Jenna couldnt avoid focusing on his perspiring red cheeks. Itsmy last season. Im moving back in April and Im re-training as a teacher.

If you get accepted, added Susan.

What? What is this? asked Jenna, completely confused.

CARL! The shout was loud. Would you PLEASE get the passportsout? We are NEARLY at the FRONT of the queue.

The man looked at Susan and Jenna and rolled his eyes. She alwaysdoes this. Makes me stand in this bloody queue, with my bloody ski stuff on,holding all of the bloody documents, well before we even reach the bloodycheck-in desk.

CARL! Its moving! Would you PLEASE get the documents out? ANDthe passports. AND we reserved our seats so youll need that evidence too.Jackies having a meal on the plane, and shes asked for the vegetarian dish sowell need to show them the paperwork for that as well.

The man lifted his woolly hat and wiped his forehead. Yes,darling, he said, forcing his smile as he flared his nostrils.

Jenna watched him clamber back over the piles of luggage beforeturning to Susan and shaking her head. Sisters?

We dont need to tell strangers our business.

Were a couple, Susan. Im proud to call you mine.

Susan pushed Jennas bag with the inside of her foot, rounding thefinal corner. I dont want to force you into anything.

Hey! I flew over here, of my own accord, to give you thatridiculously expensive thimble for your really rather cute thimble collection,because I love you.

Susan shrugged. Its been two weeks.