‘And I reckon talking about our demons is helping her come to terms with hers so she can meet someone decent.’

‘Hmmm, she is asking us a lot of questions about our love lives,’ said Simi sinking back.

‘Exactly.’

It was the only sane explanation for Jemima’s behaviour of late, Meagan deduced. She was wrestling with all kinds of demons including the belief that being part of a couple weakens her. That was what being with Miles had done and was one of the many reasons Meagan wanted to punch him in the throat.

‘You know what, Sim, we need to up our game,’ Meagan said setting her glass down. ‘Jem needs us to find her someone who’ll show her two is more than one, not less.’

‘Ooooh I like it. Poetic. But two is more… How do you mean?’ Simi asked, confused.

‘I mean, Jem thinks being with someone takes something from her, like she’s only strong alone. We have to find someone that makes her go weak at the knees but in a good way,’ said Meagan.

‘Yes!’ yelped Simi. ‘Someone so great she’ll fall over herself to be with him.’

‘Totes. That’s what this is all about. I guarantee it,’ Meagan said. ‘Come, Simderella. Let’s make a list. What does Jemima really, truly need?’

Chapter 23

Simi

Simi looked up as the door at the end of the familiar, white corridor swished open. She was back at Antonia De Silva’s office a week after her previous audition. For some inexplicable reason, she had been invited in for something called a ‘chemistry read’. From what she could gather, this casting was to see if she had an on-screen rapport with the leading lady herself, Cameron Christiansen. Simi dry-gulped as an actor she vaguely knew tiptoed over to the signing-in sheet and scribbled her name. She gave her a polite smile then returned to her script. Antonia’s office was much quieter today. Before, there’d been at least eight actors lined up in the corridor. Today there were just two and somehow, Simi was one of them.

‘Have you ever done a chemistry read?’ she whispered to the other actress.

‘A few,’ she replied.

‘How are they?’

‘Largely terrifying,’ the actress said with a sweet laugh. ‘Just do your best and don’t think about the fact you’re auditioning with Cameron Christiansen and this might change your life.’

Simi gawped at her until she realised – she was joking.

‘Don’t worry. You’ve proved you can act or you wouldn’t be here. You can’t get this wrong.’