Page 97 of Shout Out To My Ex

When she joins me a few minutes later, I have a plan – or at least half a plan.

‘Sit,’ I say, and she does. ‘Are you ready for this? The engagement is fake.’

‘We already knew that.’

‘We alreadysuspectedthat but now we have proof.’

‘Okay,’ she says, a slow smile breaking across her face. ‘So, what is it, the proof?’

‘Leo confessed to Elle.’

‘No. Way,’ she says, folding her arms across her chest. ‘I did not think that would happen.’

‘I know. I thought Marie would come through before Leo spilled.’

‘And this came from Cassie?’

‘She walked in on Elle and Leo at Bliss Designs. Elle appeared to be mid-swoon, Cassie said.’

‘Oh, I love a good swoon,’ she says. ‘So, what’s next? Are we meeting with Cassie?’

‘One better. I’m going over there.’

‘To Bliss Designs?’ I nod. ‘How?’

‘I’ll probably take the Tube.’

‘I’m not talking about your mode of transportation. I mean, for what reason, under what guise?’

‘I was?—’

‘Please tell me you’re not just going to pop over and ask, “Hey, what’s up?”.’

‘I’m Poppy Dean, fashion journalist, don’t forget.’

‘Only you’re not and it will seem odd.’

‘I’ve already figured it out. It’s a welfare check. I show up becauseNouveauis worried about them and?—’

‘Arethey worried about Elle and Leo?’

‘How would I know? Possibly.’

Nas snorts out a laugh.

‘Anyway, Cassie called’ – I check my phone – ‘seven minutes ago and if I leave now, I should catch them before they leave for the day.’

‘Not via the Tube, you won’t.’ She signals for me to hand her my phone, which I do. ‘There you are,’ she says, handing it back to me. ‘A car will be waiting for you downstairs in five.’

‘Oh, thank you.’

‘Don’t thank me – it’s on your Uber account.’

I swallow the acerbic retort that’s on the tip of my tongue.

‘Better get your arse in gear,’ she says. ‘Don’t want to mess with your rating.’

I task Nasrin with updating Saskia and Paloma, then rush out of the office, making it to the kerb seconds before the Uber arrives.

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