Page 153 of Joker in the Pack

“Quit? Just like that?”

“Apparently, she left the area in a hurry. Something about being caught cheating with her tax credits. I heard a whisper that somebody reported her to HMRC.”

“Any idea who?”

“Nope. But if I ever meet them, I’ll buy them a drink. Heck, I’ll even fork out for the good stuff.”

Nye was sitting across the room with Warren, and he glanced up at her words. What was that look on his face? Satisfaction?

And yes, you did hear that right: Warren. Despite their rocky start, he and Nye had cleared the air and bonded over a shared hatred of hospital food, needles, and MRI scans. Which meant Warren was going to watch rugby with Nye while us girls headed for something slightly less muddy.

At least, I hoped so. Janelle had offered to organise, and she’d been a little hazy on the details.

“Where are we going?” Maddie asked when Janelle arrived with her posse in tow.

She made a sad face. “The river cruise-slash-strip show idea fell through because the dancers complained it was too cold, so we’re going to Black’s.”

Maddie let out a whoop. “Really? As inBlack’s, the best nightclub in the city? I thought you had to have at least six zeroes on your bank balance to get on the guest list?”

“I’ve got six zeroes.”

“Jannie, they’re supposed to be at the end, not the beginning,” one of the other Blackwood girls said.

“Not my fault the sales are on.”

Janelle headed straight to the kitchen to find the chocolate supply. Nye had bought me so many boxes I’d begun to suspect he had shares in Cadbury. And he’d need to invest in a vineyard next if Maddie didn’t stop raiding his wine rack.

An hour later, I clutched at Maddie, trying not to fall out of my stilettos as we followed Janelle past the queue for Black’s. When I’d suggested joining it, she’d just laughed.

“We don’t need to wait.”

“But—”

“Trust me.”

So I did, but before we got to the front, Maddie dug her nails into my arm.

“Do you see who I see?”

“What? Who? Where?” I followed her gaze, and the truffles I ate before I left nearly came back up. “Oh, hell.”

Edward and Becki were waiting halfway along the block. Edward was bald, and unless my eyes deceived me, Becki’s blonde tresses were a wig.

“Quick—keep walking,” I whispered, but Maddie slowed down and veered in their direction.

“Edward, I haven’t seen you for ages. Not since Liv came to her senses and decided you were pond life.”

“Madonna, you’re as charming as ever.”

“What’s this? A new look?” She waved a hand at his head. “You decided to go for something younger? Or did you just want to look a little less dull?”

“If you must know, I’ve been suffering from alopecia. My trichologist blames stress. We’ve already had to move because of the smell from the drains without you adding to the problem.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that.”

I bet she was. Now Edward had moved out before summer, it meant he wouldn’t see the hail of glitter when he switched on his ceiling fan.

He turned his sights on me. “How are you, Olivia? Enjoying the single life?”

---