Page 52 of We Used To Be Magic

‘I love it. What a crazy coincidence.’

I glance up at her, smiling. She looks slightly stricken, though, eyes glassy – I’m about to ask her what’s wrong when she quickly turns her head, reaching into her bag.

‘I got you something else,’ she announces. ‘Something you need. Here.’

And then she hands me a wallet. A small, plasticky black wallet withIHEARTNYprinted on it.

‘Wow,’ I say solemnly. ‘It’s stunning.’

‘Better than a cigarette carton, at least.’

‘Don’t downplay it. I’m going to cherish this fine piece of craftmanship for ever.’

‘A future heirloom, maybe?’

‘Oh yeah. My progeny are going to fight viciously over this one – there’ll probably be a brawl at the will-reading.’

Audrey laughs, just as my phone buzzes in my pocket. I tense slightly, knowing it must be Edie this time. But I can’t bring myself to reach for it while I’m here with Audrey. It feels like a betrayal, somehow. But of who, I don’t know.

I don’t think I want to, actually.

AUDREY

‘GOD,MY FOLDERSARE AMESS,’IMOGENE MURMURS,FROWNINGas she swipes at her tablet. ‘I swear they’re here somewhere. And they’re stunning, of course. Your hair looks amazing.’

‘Thank you,’ I reply, wiping my clammy hands on my jeans as I shift in one of the shell-shaped chairs opposite her desk. She asked me to come by her office this morning to look over the photos from the shoot with Julian, which she’s clearly already seen and doesn’t have a problem with. I guess that means there isn’t one.

‘Ah! Got them!’ she suddenly exclaims. ‘Here you go.’

She hands me the tablet and I take it from her with both hands, forcing myself to breathe evenly.

‘We could probably use one as your new headshot.’

‘Uh-huh,’ I say, swiping through them. I can’t tell if they’re any good. I don’t really care. I just want to see the last ones, to prove to myself that they’re nowhere near as awful as I’ve built them up to be in my head. But then I reach a point where it won’t let me swipe any more, and …

‘Is this all of them?’ I ask.

‘All the ones Julian sent over. Why?’

Because I’m wearing a top in all of these.

‘No reason,’ I say quickly.

Imogene laughs. ‘You’re your own harshest critic. Julian said that you were a joy to work with. A total star.’

‘He did?’

‘Of course! You and Marika, both.And…’ She pauses for emphasis, tapping her long, beautifully painted nails against her desk in an approximation of a drumroll.

‘The campaign shoots tomorrow!’ she concludes brightly. ‘Isn’t that exciting?’

‘Oh – wow!’ I manage. ‘So soon?’

‘ “So soon?” ’ She laughs. ‘I would have thought you’d be dying to get started.’

‘I am! I am. I just …’ I trail off, grasping for an excuse to justify my hesitation.

Imogene leans forward, meets my eye. ‘I get it. But, Audrey, there isnoneed to be nervous,’ she says seriously. ‘I promise.’

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