Page 49 of Shout Out To My Ex

‘No, that’s okay. It was just something dreamt up by our— I mean, his publicist,’ she replies, clearly wanting to change the subject. ‘So, what did you think of his show?’

Publicly, every comment I make about another designer’s work is positive, even if I think otherwise. And the times I’ve experienced everything from indifference to revulsion have been kept within the confines of Cassie’s and my flat. I’m even careful about what I say in front of my team.

But my reply to Brandy’s question comes easily because it’s true. ‘I loved it. It was so fresh – and that callback to the late-nineties and early-noughties! So playful. Oh, and the shoes!’

She laughs. ‘I know, right! And what about those green heels that Franzia was wearing?’

‘Yes! They were my absolutely fave,’ I gush.

‘Mine too! And they’re made ofcactusleather. Can you believe it?’

‘I had no idea that was even a thing until recently.’

‘Yeah, he’s gotten really into vegan leathers – ironic considering the family business.’

I cannot, for the life of me, recall what the family business is but rather than ask, I want to know who Leo collaborated with on the show.

‘So, who was the other designer?’ I ask. ‘Would I know them or are they just breaking out?’

Confusion mars her pretty features. ‘Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean.’

‘Leo’s show. I know he designed the shoes, but what about the garments?’

This obviously confuses her even more. ‘Leo did. He designed everything – jeans, tees, tops,belts. He even designed the hat.’

It’s a lot to take in – that my ex is not just a brilliant shoe designer, but he designed his entire collection (literally) head to toe.

Brandy casts her eyes over her shoulder towards Leo and smiles, then turns back to me. ‘I am just so proud of him, especially after everything he sacrificed for me.’

‘Sacrificed?’ This conversation is certainly keeping me on my toes.

‘Yeah, how he stepped up when?—’

Only Brandy doesn’t have a chance to finish before we’re interrupted by Ser, Leo’s publicist. Tonight, she’s dressed as a children’s birthday party entertainer, the kind that induces nightmares and leads to a lifetime of therapy.

‘Lorenzo, honey, weneedyou,’ she says, tugging on his arm.

He throws the rest of us an uncomfortable smile, then turns to Ser. ‘Can you hold on a sec? I’m just catching up with some old friends.’

‘Honey,’ she says with a condescending tilt of her head. ‘Now.’

She drags him away and Brandy, Poppy, Cassie, and I huddle together.

‘What was all that about?’ asks Poppy. ‘Do you know?’ she directs at Brandy. ‘And hi, I’m Poppy by the way.’

‘Hi, Poppy, and to answer your question, I haven’t a clue.’

I like Brandy. And in a single conversation, she’s helped me gain a multitude of insights into the Leo of today. Insights that negate the impression he left when we met up in London a few weeks ago. Between what she’s told me and how he’s behaved tonight, he seems a lot more like the Leo I remember than the persona I’m guessing Ser conjured up for him.

This realisation sends another jolt of remorse rocketing through me. I was a little curt with him earlier, regarding his comment about our aspirations when we were younger. He was being lovely, and I need to apologise. I stand on tiptoes, wondering where Ser has taken him, but I can’t see over the crowd – a disadvantage of being five-foot-two.

‘Scuse me. Scuse me, everyone.’ Someone taps loudly on a microphone, then blows into it – abigno-no. I imagine all the sound techs are shuddering. ‘Hey! I’m over here.’

A lighting tech must have worked out this is a moment of some kind, because suddenly there’s a spotlight on a small platform – a stage of sorts – and on it, Franzia is waving one arm over her head as though she’s hailing a bus.

Beside her stands a very confused-looking Leo. He squints in our direction, but it’s unclear if he can make us out through the glare of the spotlight.

‘’Ello, everyone. Scuse me!’ Franzia again and, holy shit, she has an awful voice – a high-pitched scratchy whine. She also sounds like an extra fromEmily in Pariswho has wandered onto the set ofEmmerdale, which is odd. I thought she was European, though I’d be hard-pressed to name a specific country from her bizarre accent.

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