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lunch,’ I say. ‘Marc and I are meeting her, and there’s something she wants to discuss. And—’
    ‘Sophia. You need to calm down. There’s nothing to be nervous about. As soon as she meets you she’ll love you.’
    ‘But she hasn’t met me yet and—’
    ‘She’s seen Beauty and the Beast , right?’
    ‘I think so.’
    ‘Well that’s what Leo told me. He said Nadia saw you both on stage and thought you’d be perfect for Rapunzel. So it’s in the bag.’
    We reach the bedroom, and Marc stands to greet Jen.
    ‘No, don’t get up,’ says Jen. ‘It’s fine. Honestly.’
    ‘You’re a guest in this house. I’m not going to stay seated.’ Marc kisses Jen on both cheeks. ‘Sophia is having something of a crisis.’ A little smile plays on his lips. ‘I’m failing to help her get things into perspective. So we thought perhaps you’d have better luck.’
    Jen winks at me. ‘Men never understand real emergencies do they? It’s lucky I came.’

12
    In the end, Jen convinces me to wear grey jeans, black riding boots and a navy v-neck cashmere jumper.
    ‘You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard,’ she says.
    ‘You’re sure I look okay?’ I say, examining myself in the mirror. ‘Not too informal? I don’t want to look like I don’t care …’
    ‘Maybe you could do with a little extra something. Just to make you stand out. What about jewellery? What do you have?’
    I glance at Marc, thinking of the pearl necklace he bought me. ‘Um … just the stuff you and I bought with my student allowance,’ I say, feeling a blush spread up my cheeks.
    ‘In here?’ Jen goes to the jewellery drawers in the walk-in wardrobe. She drapes a silver pendant around my neck. ‘Mmm. Bit too casual. Shame you don’t have a diamond one. Oh well. Your engagement ring will just have to do, as far as bling is concerned.’
    I turn in front of the mirror. ‘Thanks Jen. You’re a life saver.’
    ‘Actors! Always so dramatic.’
    I laugh. ‘Okay. Maybe not a life saver but you’ve definitely helped me out. Speaking of actors, Leo must be pretty pleased about this movie too. How are things?’
    Jen’s eyes glow. ‘He’s decided to buy a place in London. And …’ She looks at the floor.
    ‘Jen? And what?’
     
    A huge smile grows on Jen’s face. ‘And he’s asked me to live with him!’
    We both shriek and hug each other.
    ‘I knew he would!’ I say.
    ‘I never knew I could be so happy. Leo is just … he’s such fun , you know? I’ve never been with anyone I’ve had so much fun with. Of course, he is staggeringly good looking too. And in the bedroom—’
    I hear the crisp rustle of Marc’s newspaper.
    ‘I think that’s my cue to leave,’ he says.
    Jen laughs. ‘I never had you down as a prude, Marc Blackwell.’
    ‘I have my limits.’
    Marc strides out, dropping a kiss on my cheek as he leaves.
    ‘So things are still going great for the newlyweds?’ Jen asks.
    ‘Better than great,’ I say. ‘Amazing. Truly, truly amazing. Except …’ I think of Annabel on our wedding day. And the family drama. ‘Oh nothing.’
    ‘Good luck with this lunch today,’ says Jen. ‘Come see me afterwards. I’ll be round at Leo’s apartment. Making space in his wardrobe.’
    ‘What’s the time?’
    ‘Just gone twelve.’
    I chew a fingernail. ‘Gone twelve? Marc and I should get going.’
    ‘Relax,’ says Jen. ‘You’ve got ages.’
    ‘I know. But … I don’t want to be late.’

13
    ‘Where’s the restaurant?’ I ask Marc, as the limo drives across London.
    ‘I’ve already told you. Soho.’
    ‘But which part of Soho?’
    ‘Very near here.’
    ‘ How near?’
    ‘Sophia—’
    ‘Sorry.’
    ‘Stop twiddling your hair.’
    I give a nervous laugh and drop my fingers.
    The limo pulls to a stop.
    ‘See?’ says Marc, checking his watch. ‘We’re here already. And we are exactly forty minutes early. Happy now Mrs Blackwell?’
    ‘I know, I know. It’s silly to be so