Jemima smiled noncommittally as they hugged their goodbyes and Meagan went off to dome, teabag and spider with Todd or whatever they did that left her waddling the next day.

Moments later, an Uber arrived and Jemima and Simi clambered in.

On the way home, as Simi snored in the crook of her arm, Jemima mulled over Meagan’s parting words. This dating drama will be good for your book… It hadn’t occurred to Jemima that this experience might actually be of use. Though Beverly would never play a game like this, by Jemima playing it with the girls, it did give her a window into their love lives and their attitude towards relationships. Coupling these insights with their stories might give her the material she needed to finish her book. But how should she broach this without getting consigned to the naughty step with Troy – forever. She wound down her window to let the breeze sober her up. Simi stirred, repositioning herself onto her lap as Jemima stroked her hair.

‘Thanks for tonight, Jem. I already feel better,’ said Simi and she nodded off again as their 4.9-rated driver whisked them home.

Chapter 14

Simi

Simi gawped at Meagan from across the kitchen. Tonight was supposed to be about dropping dating knowledge not major league bombshells.

‘But if Bradley Tyson has been fired from Clash of the Crown, who’s going to replace him?’ Simi asked, her mind somersaulting at the possibilities.

Perhaps the producers had realised they need someone with more cachet, perhaps even, BAFTA-winning cachet. Simi grinned as she speculated over potential replacements. Would they go for Darius Wallington, an African American acting titan? They’d be lucky to get him though. He hadn’t done television in years. Maybe they’d entice Rhys Goswell who’d just won a Golden Globe for playing a neuro-diverse superhero. Or perhaps they’d go the other way, plucking some unknown from obscurity, giving them the break they’d long dreamed of.

‘Don’t worry, babes. The replacement is even better than Bradley. Now, let’s talk about the game,’ said Meagan waving a tub of ice cream at Simi. ‘I brought your favourite.’

Simi’s eyes widened, ‘Wait, you know who it is? Spill!’

Meagan set down the tub and took a breath, looking back and forth between Simi and Jemima.

‘So… they’re rewriting Cameron Christiansen’s part. She’s replacing Bradley – which is great.’

Simi blinked at Meagan as her brain tried to process this new information. ‘But… so… there’ll be scenes of a sexual nature… as a prostitute… with a lady… woman?’

‘On some level, yes, exactly but apart from that, everything’s the same,’ Meagan said popping the lid on the ice cream. ‘This is that fancy stuff you have to leave out for—’

‘The SAME?!’ screeched Simi.

‘Can you pass me the mixed herbs?’ Jemima asked.

Momentarily distracted, Simi rooted in the cupboard. She handed a jar to Jemima who stirred her Bolognese sauce, clearly electing to sit this conversation out.

‘Honestly, Sim. It’s not a big deal,’ said Meagan, hands on hips.