Page 118 of Shout Out To My Ex

‘Fair warning,’ she adds, ‘thiscouldbe brutal. Oh, sorry, I’m Mia. I work here. I do socials and stuff.’

I lift my hand, giving her a limp wave.

‘Ready?’ she asks, and I nod, even though I am far from ready. I feel the squeeze of Leo’s hand and Mia unfreezes the playback onscreen.

It’s a short interview – maybe five minutes – but by the end of it, I feel nauseous. And not the vaguely queasy, lightheaded kind, but the I-am-properly-going-to-vomit-right-now kind. I pop out of my seat, my hand clapped over my mouth. Poppy seems to grasp what’s happening, because she stands and says, ‘This way.’ She flings open the door and quickly ushers me across the office to the loo.

Ijustmake it, retching bile into the bowl, as I’ve yet to eat anything since lunchtime yesterday. Poppy waits discreetly outside the cubicle – I didn’t even have time to close the door.

Eventually, the stomach spasms subside. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, flush the toilet, and stand slowly, my hands planted on the cubicle walls either side of me to steady myself.

When I exit the cubicle, Poppy is waiting for me, holding out a wad of paper towels. ‘You okay?’ she asks.

Not trusting my voice, I shake my head. How can I be okay when I have just been eviscerated on national television? Franzia did all but call me a whore and I’d bet there are a fair whack of people across Britain who now share that belief.

And why? For falling back in love with a man I never really stopped loving in the first place.

There was also the photograph. Somewhere in the middle of the interview, Franzia held up an A4-sized picture of me and Leo, half-dressed and enveloped in each other’s arms, his mouth – lips parted – a millimetre from my cheek. It was from theNouveaushoot with Tally.

Leaked or stolen?I wondered in the moment. No matter. It had the desired impact – more evidence for Franzia’s brutal attack on my character, all in the name of furthering her own bloody career!

As if being uber wealthy, featured on every fashion magazine cover, and walking for all the major designers weren’t enough… Nope. Franzia appearing onHello Britain, spouting her sob story, was simply to curry favour with Eternity Bride, the world’s most exclusive bridal fashion house. According to Leo, she’s ‘this close’ to being named their brand ambassador in a lucrative five-year contract.

Eternity Bride. Hah! Eternity Bridezilla, more like.

And there’s no wayNouveauis going to run that feature now, not after the bad press and certainly not after their photograph has been leaked six months ahead of publication.

At the sink, I rinse my mouth and dab my face with the paper towel. Looking at myself in the mirror, I’m shocked at how translucent my skin is. I look like I’ve seen a ghost. I look like Iama ghost.

There’s a soft tap at the bathroom door.

‘Elle?’

Oh god, it’s Leo.

‘I’ll leave you two alone,’ says Poppy, making her way to the door.

‘Wait.’

She does, regarding me thoughtfully.

‘I just…’

Her expression softens. ‘It’s a lot to take in, especially all at once,’ she says, understanding completely.

‘Yes.’

‘I can stay if you like?’

I’d love to take her up on it, but this is something I need to do on my own. In the fucking loo of all places.

‘That’s okay. But thank you.’

She reaches out and gives my arm a squeeze. ‘I’ll be right outside if you need me.’

‘Okay. And Poppy? Could you please call Cassie for me? I think I’m going to need my sister.’

‘I texted her earlier,’ she replies with a kind smile. ‘She’s on her way.’ It bolsters me somewhat, knowing that Cass is coming, especially as my heart is about to be shredded into a zillion pieces.Again.

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