Page 79 of Someone Like You

She laughs freely at that, which is fair. It may be the most vague non-advice advice I’ve ever given. ‘Thanks, Poppy. I’ll do my best.’

We say our goodbyes and I return to the lounge.

‘Everything all right?’ asks Tristan.

‘Yeah, how’s Gaby?’ Shaz adds.

‘Oh, no biggie – she’s only gone and invited Raff to go to Seattle with her over Christmas –andto be her date at her cousin’s wedding.’

‘Oh, that’s…’ says Lauren with a grimace.

‘That’s amove,’ adds Shaz. ‘What could possibly go wrong there?’

‘I know. Argh, this case!’ I drop onto the sofa next to Tristan and lean my head on his shoulder. He lifts his hand to cup my cheek, patting it gently. ‘I’ve also agreed to play agony aunt for the duration.’

‘Shouldn’t Freya be on the hook for that?’ asks Shaz. ‘They’re her friends.’

‘Oh,’ I say sitting up. ‘You’ve reminded me – I should message her.’

‘About?’ Shaz asks as I start typing.

‘Hang on…’ I hit send, then answer Shaz. ‘Freya’s feeling it too. She’s really upset.’

‘Because she thought she was doing a good thing?’ Lauren asks, getting it instantly.

‘Yep,’ I reply.

‘What is it they say about the road to hell being paved with good intentions?’ asks Shaz.

‘That,’ I tell her. ‘That’s the whole saying.’

Tristan sniggers, then draws me gently towards him and I nestle in the crook of his arm.

‘Meanwhile,’ I say, ‘Raff’s living in ignorant bliss and about to go on his first date with Julia Mendelssohn.’

‘Wait –that’swho he matched with?’ asks Lauren.

‘You know who she is?’ I ask.

‘Doesn’t everyone?’ she asks with a laugh. Lauren lovescelebrity gossip and reads all the society pages, poring over who went where with whom. She’s a walkingWho’s Who?guide.

‘Well,Ido, of course. I vetted her as a potential but?—’

‘I have no idea who she is, babe,’ says Shaz.

‘Well, she’s an artist and she’sgorgeous– total bombshell.’

‘Don’t you love how my girlfriend is always talking about how gorgeous other women are?’ Shaz asks me and Tristan.

‘But I choseyou. It’s only to establish how high my standards are, so you know how gorgeousyouare in comparison.’

‘Nice save, babe,’ says Shaz.

Their banter does the trick and I’m able to set Gaby and Raff and the whole messy palaver aside – at least for tonight, or until the next disastrous turn in this case.

Whichever comes first.

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