Page 55 of Shout Out To My Ex

‘Can we bring you anything?’ Poppy asks and I look between them, gobsmacked.

‘I’ll take a coffee, thanks,’ says Leo. ‘An Americano – just black, no sugar.’

‘Elle?’ Cassie asks.

This is like an episode ofBlack Mirror– I’m the only person who’s horrified by the situation while everyone around me is acting like the train carriage isn’t on fire.

‘Coke,’ I manage, not even bothering to add ‘no sugar’ – Cassie knows. And then she and Poppy are gone and it’s just me and Leo.

Poppy

‘Wowser, youaregood,’ Cassie says over her shoulder as we enter the vestibule between carriages.

‘If you’re talking about Leo showing up, that wasn’t my doing.’ She stops abruptly and I nearly crash into her.

She turns, her eyes questioning. ‘Are you serious?’

‘Well, yes. I mean, I seeded the idea at the party last night, but I had no idea if he’d follow through.’

‘How do mean you seeded the idea?’

‘Remember, I asked him where he was off to next and he said London and I mentioned we were heading back this morning on the Eurostar…’

‘Oh, that’s right! I thought it was odd, you mentioning that we’d be travelling first class.’

‘Odd, but it appeared to work.’

‘Then youarethat good,’ she says, her dimples making an appearance.

I shrug. ‘A lot of this job is seeing opportunities and taking them – like us checking out the café car.’

‘You’re being modest.’

‘I’m being honest.’

‘Well,Ididn’t think of it. I’m really glad you came to Paris with us, Poppy.’ I accept her gratitude with a smile and am about to suggest we move on when she asks, ‘So, how do you think Elle will view it – Leo showing up like this? As a coincidence or…’

‘Kismet?’

She nods.

‘From her expression, especially when we left them together just now, I’d say that we’re still quite far from that. Kismet evokes romance and fate… Elle isn’t there yet.’

‘Right.’ Cassie’s enthusiasm is wilting faster than flowers in the Aussie midday sun.

‘But it doesn’t mean I’m notthrilledthat Leo has landed in our laps.’

‘Quite literally,’ she replies, perking up slightly.

‘Exactly.’ We exchange smiles. ‘And it’s an excellent sign that he followed through – more evidence that his relationship with Franzia is a sham. But we still need proof. I’ll call Marie – check if she has an update.’

‘Can I be on the call?’ Cassie asks.

‘Sure, but let’s not do it here.’

We’re outside the toilets where a queue is forming and we’ve already been jostled several times. We find an empty berth in the next train carriage and slip into the seats. I dig out my earbuds and offer one to Cassie. Nothing worse than being the person on the train who takes a call on speakerphone. If I had my way, those people would be ejected at the next stop.

Seconds later, a close-up of Marie appears onscreen.

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