‘Todd, babes, I saw you this morning.’

‘Which was lovely. I just wanted to see how your day went?’ said Todd.

Meagan stared at her phone. Was this some kind of prank?

‘Has something happened?’ she asked.

‘No…’ said Todd.

‘So you’re just calling to, what, talk to me?’

‘Yeah.’

‘About what?’

‘Not about anything. Just to chat. All the kids are doing it. I really think it’s gonna catch on.’

Meagan frowned. Yes, she was aware some people liked chatting on the phone but Todd had failed to read the memo that stated she was not one of them. Meagan slowed as she arrived at Ripley’s. She looked through the bar’s large windows eyeing the fancy vintage decor. Jemima and Simi had nabbed a table and were studying the wine list. She stiffened. The wine at Ripley’s was supposed to be excellent. She had to end this bizarreness with Todd and get inside before the girls ordered something awful.

‘Sorry, Todd. Gotta go,’ Meagan said squinting through the glass. ‘I think Jemima’s about to order some Napa Valley swill and I’m not here for that. Bye. Text me. Bye!’

What was with him? she griped as she yanked the bar door open and strode over to the girls’ table. First snuggling and now phone calls? He’d obviously forgotten how good their deal was. No last names or sweet nothings. Just good sex and plenty of orgasms.

‘What’s up, bitches?’ She grinned, snatching the wine list from Jemima and turning to their waiter. ‘If she’s ordered Californian wine, scratch it.’

The waiter looked down at his pad and crossed out the order.

‘Hey!’ Jemima bleated. ‘That Chardonnay is delicious.’

‘It’s oaky muck,’ said Meagan as she scanned the wine list. ‘Okay let’s have the 2010 Sangiovese.’

Meagan snapped the weighty wine list closed and handed it back to the waiter who disappeared to fetch their order.

‘That’s really expensive,’ said Simi.

‘It’s on me.’

‘Oh well in that case, Chardonnay is disgusting!’ Jemima grinned.

‘It’s to celebrate your triumphant audition. Soooo, how was it?’ Meagan asked.

‘A nightmare. I’m never auditioning again,’ said Simi.

Meagan nodded with feigned empathy. Simi said this after every audition.

‘There’s something else,’ Simi said. ‘We’re doing your dating challenge thing – tonight.’

‘Wait. Back up a minute. What challenge?’ said Meagan.

‘The one where you find me a date. You’re right. I’m a disaster. I have no idea what’s best for me when it comes to men. But you do. You both do,’ said Simi.

Meagan turned to Jemima for an explanation.

‘She saw Oscar… with someone,’ said Jemima mouthing it like she was naming a venereal disease, ‘but let’s not be too hasty, Sim. I mean you don’t want to revenge date.’

‘It’s not revenge. It’s reinvention!’ Simi said flailing her arms.

Just then the waiter arrived, deftly dodging Simi’s flying hand. He set down their bottle of wine and three glasses, and popped the cork. With ceremonious flair, he presented the bottle to Meagan.