‘I was thinking,’ said Simi surveying the party guests, ‘there are loads of quality guys. Like-minded, successful and hopefully single. We haven’t played the game for ages. Let’s do it here!’

Jemima’s breath caught. ‘But you said you wanted to take a break from guys,’ she stammered.

‘I can’t keep up with you, Sim.’ Meagan laughed.

‘After tonight, Jem, definitely,’ said Simi, her attention on the men in the room.

‘But it’s a works do,’ Jemima pleaded.

Just then, the music ramped up several decibels, the lights dipped and a huge neon sign saying ‘DISCO’, began to flash above a black-and-white dance floor.

‘Not anymore it’s not,’ said Meagan as she teased Jemima with a Saturday Night Fever pose.

‘Come on!’ said Simi tottering off in search of prey, with Meagan trailing behind.

Jemima’s feet felt nailed to the floor. Now the book was finished the pressing matter for her was not the game but confessing her actions.

‘Come on, Jeminator. If there’s one place we’ll find someone who matches you, it’s in a hall chocker with book dorks,’ prodded Meagan.

‘Yeah, plus we’ve got new intel now about what we feel you need,’ said Simi.

Jemima still couldn’t move.

‘I can sense it, Jem,’ Simi whispered. ‘The one that will make you stand still, is here.’

Simi grinned before shimmying towards the dance floor.

‘Chill, Jem. It’s a party!’ Meagan winked as she followed Simi, grabbing Jemima to complete their train.

Perhaps this was penance for all she’d done, Jemima sighed as she trailed behind them, a down payment on their forgiveness.

‘I know exactly who I want you to pick for me,’ said Simi swivelling playfully towards the girls.

Jemima tracked Simi’s gaze through the crowd and came to a grinding halt. She was looking directly at Chance.

‘You’re not allowed to choose your own date,’ Jemima flustered.

‘Maybe we should start trusting Simi to know her own mind. That’s what I just agreed, right, Sims?’ said Meagan flopping her arm around Simi.

‘Well it’s a work-in-progress but yeah. I’ve got a feeling about him and I need a good man to practise my boundaries with.’

‘You can’t,’ Jemima said stepping in front of Simi and blocking her view. ‘He’s married.’

‘How do you know?’ Simi asked looking past Jemima.

‘Because I… read his book,’ Jemima lied. ‘Hey, guess what they’ve got in the other room? Rocking horses!’

Simi skirted around Jemima to take a better look at Chance.

‘You said he was a medic,’ Meagan interjected.

Jemima opened and closed her mouth.

‘I know your game,’ Meagan said pointing an accusatory finger.

The back of Jemima’s neck went cold. How did Meagan know what she had only recently acknowledged for herself, that she had feelings for Chance?

‘You don’t want us showing you up in front of your fancy literary chums but look around you. You’re the most uptight person here,’ said Meagan waving in the general direction of the party goers. ‘Don’t worry, Sim. I’ll talk to him before this one comes up with another excuse.’