Page 19 of We Used To Be Magic

And as if on cue, the girl in the stall retches again.

‘Adrink, then,’ Marika deadpans. ‘Singular.’

The ballroom seems a little darker when we return, bodies tangling together under the low light of the chandeliers. I notice eyes swivel to track our path – specifically Marika’s. She’s literally glowing in a white silk gown that dips low in the back, its long skirt fluttering behind her. My own dress is more restrictive, a shimmering column of midnight-blue sequins with a high neck and a slit up the leg. An especially lovely sales assistant found it for me in the clearance section after I breathlessly explained my situation, along with shoes and a bag and someone in the beauty department to do my make-up. And – it’s weird, but even though Mum and I have never bonded over dresses and make-up, there was something about the warmth of attention that made me miss her so badly that I got all choked up about it in the fitting room.

Anyway.

‘Could I get two glasses of Prosecco?’ Marika says, leaning against the glossy surface of the bar. The bartender nods, giving her this huge, goofy smile before turning away to fetch our drinks.

‘He’s cute,’ I offer. I think that Marika and I might be friends now, and this is what friends do. But she glances back at him as if she hadn’t even noticed, her expression perfectly blank. I guess it tracks that romance wouldn’t so much as resemble a priority in her eyes.

‘Hey – Marika!’

We both turn to see a girl in a floaty black dress with a shaved head and huge eyes approaching us. I’ve seen her at castings and shows but never met her – her name is Lola, I think. Or Lily?

‘Lila.’ Marika smiles. ‘Hi. I didn’t know you were here tonight.’

‘Same!’ she enthuses, her voice a soft Scottish burr. ‘How are you?’

‘Good, yeah. This is my roommate, Audrey. Audrey, Lila. We know each other from London.’

‘It’s nice to meet you.’ I smile.

‘Oh, you’re the other girl they chose! Congratulations, both of you!’

‘For what?’ I ask without thinking, wondering if she’s confused me for someone else. Her smile falters.

‘The campaign?’ she says hesitantly.

‘Oh, the campaign,’ Marika echoes. ‘Of course.’

‘So you do know!’ She laughs. ‘Phew!For a second I thought I’d totally put my foot in it!’

‘No, of course not. But nothing’s official yet, so …’ Marika raises a finger to her lips and Lila laughs, mirrors the gesture. I just stand there, utterly lost.

‘How did you find out?’ Marika continues, lowering her voice conspiratorially. ‘If you don’t mind me asking, that is?’

‘Oh, a friend of mine interns at Miranda Browning. She’s seen the concepts and it soundsamazing.I’d be too jealous to function if I hadn’t just booked an editorial that shoots in Bali.’

‘Bali, wow. Can’t wait to see it.’

‘Thank you! I’ll be seeing you guys around, then?’

‘Definitely,’ I manage. ‘Have a great night!’

‘You too!’ she says, winking at Marika before bouncing away. I turn to her, incredulous.

‘What just happened?’

‘What happened is I’m excellent at bluffing,’ she says quietly. ‘Holy shit.’

‘She said campaign. Like anadvertisingcampaign?’

‘Yep,’ Marika says, handing me my glass – they apparently materialised while we were distracted. ‘She also said Miranda Browning.’

I take it from her with both hands, feeling dizzy. Even Marika looks a little stunned, eyes wide and glassy.

Deep down, a part of me was really scared that I might fizzle out after Fashion Week. That I wouldn’t book any jobs, and everyone would slowly realise what a waste of time and money it was to take me on. But an advertising campaign with MirandaBrowning– God, I could literally throw my arms out and twirl across this ballroom like Julie Andrews. I’m that sincerely, stupidly thrilled. But all I can think to say is:

---