Page 4 of We Used To Be Magic

‘Sure,’ I say impulsively, taking a drag of my long-neglected cigarette. ‘Why not?’

‘All right. I’ll talk to Romy tonight and let you know.’

‘How is Romy?’ I ask. ‘Like – in general?’

Caroline’s eyes narrow. Maybe she can tell I’m thinking about the fact that Caroline and Romy are approaching a one-year anniversary, outstripping all of Caroline’s previous relationships by a good six months.

‘She’s good,’ Caroline says. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Just making small talk.’ I shrug. ‘I’m told it’s the done thing.’

‘Allegedly. You ready to head back in?’

‘In a minute. Go on without me.’

‘Ezra. Come on.’

‘What?’

‘You’re so obviously planning on waiting until I’m back inside to sneak off.’

‘Yeah, all right,’ I admit, laughing. ‘But I can guarantee that nobody else will notice.’

‘Maggie will.’

‘Nobody willcare, then.’

‘Come on, Ezzy,’ Caroline says lightly. ‘Put your quarter-life crisis on hold for one night. You might even have fun.’

‘You’re not even trying to sound convincing.’

‘You can watchmehave fun, then. And for the record, I like your nose.’

‘What?’

‘That thing you said earlier about Dad staring at your nose,’ she says. ‘Personally, I think it looks good a little bit wonky. Suits you.’

I open my mouth only to close it again, failing to conjure a witty retort. Caroline sees this and smiles, and there’s something about the way it colours her whole face that reminds me of Mum. It’s like a blow to the chest.

Fuck it. Promise or no promise, I need another drink.

AUDREY

‘WE’RE DOING A FRESH,VERY DEWY LOOK TODAY. HIGHLIGHTER, gloss, fluffy brows … sound good?’

‘And concealer?’ I say hopefully. The make-up artist laughs – her name is Nicole, and despite having met her approximately thirty seconds ago, I’m obsessed. She doesn’t look any older than me but she’s devastatingly cool, gravelly-voiced with salt-white hair, ornate tattoos and a dramatic hourglass figure.

‘That’s a given,’ she confirms, silver rings flashing on her fingers as she squeezes foundation on to the back of her hand. ‘No offence.’

‘None taken,’ I murmur, lowering my gaze as she starts to sweep a brush across my face. ‘I didn’t sleep so well last night.’

I also didn’t realise how bad my dark circles were until I was plonked down in front of a painfully well-lit mirror to have my hair done. I really,reallydon’t want to walk this runway looking like a Halloween decoration.

‘Nothing a little colour correction can’t fix,’ Nicole says lightly, dabbing the offending areas with an orange-y cream. ‘This your first Fashion Week in New York?’

‘Um – first Fashion Week, actually.’

‘Wow. Who are you signed with?’

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