When Sacha got back to her flat there was a message on her answering machine. It was Rona again. "Fuck it, then" Sacha sighed. She picked up the 'phone and dialled Rona's number - if she woke her up, too bad.

Rona answered, sounding a little sleepy. "Hello?"

"It's Sacha."

Rona yawned down the 'phone line. "Oh, hi Sacha."

Rona sleepily agreed to meet Sacha a couple of days later for coffee. When Sacha got to the café at the appointed time Rona was already there, writing in a notepad. Sacha asked her what she was writing.

"Oh -" Rona held up the notepad for Sacha to see. "Just writing a gig review. I write for this street mag." She waved her hand dismissively.

"Really? What does it pay?"

"Not a fucking thing. It's free."

"Oh, bugger. Thought I might've been able to squeeze you for work."

Rona rested her chin on her hand and looked at Sacha with concern. "Things a bit tight?"

"Well, I could do with a job, yeah. I've joined up with some temp agencies, lot of bloody good that's done me."

"You on the dole?"

"Nah, hoping I wouldn't have to."

Rona shrugged. "It's not so bad." She put her pen down. "You okay?" Sacha was about to her mouth when Rona interrupted. "Oh fuck it, let's stop pussyfooting around. Look, I gave Alain your 'phone number, so I'm really sorry about that. I made him promise he wouldn't be an arsehole, but I guess he didn't listen."

Sacha sat back in her chair cautiously. "What've you heard about it?"

"Only his side, of course. He rang me up right afterwards to have a whinge. But knowing him I can guess who's fault it really was."

"Well . . . Look, I know you two are friends. Sort of. So don't be too hard on him. Yeah, he was a arsehole, but he started off okay. I think he kind of got flustered. I have a habit of blocking people out when I'm not interested."

Rona laughed. "Yeah, I remember that. Christ, it must have taken five minutes when I met you just to get your name!"

Sacha laughed as well. "Yeah, but come to think of it didn't you only come over 'cause you all thought I was checking Alain out or something?"

"Yeah, well that's what Mal reckoned." Sacha pursed her lips in a guilty little smile. Rona covered her mouth and laughed. "Oh, no way! No fucking way!"

Sacha's smile broke into a grin. "I was wondering what the hell he was thinking with that hairstyle. I couldn't tear my eyes away! I mean, I don't care how 'ironic' it is, a mullet is a mullet is a mullet."

Rona threw her head back and laughed loudly. "I've been telling him that for years!"