Simi had chosen tonight’s location and Meagan had known it was going to be something bizarre. She looked over at the other two who were still lacing up their boots.

‘Isn’t ice skating more of a coupley thing?’ she asked.

Simi shrugged as she tightened her scarf around her neck.

‘What’s up, Simi, you getting cold feet?’ Jemima laughed, nudging her.

‘Blimey, were you someone’s granddad in a former life?’ said Meagan rolling her eyes. ‘What’s the matter, Simster? Me and Jem are gonna find you another quality fella.’

‘Yeah…’ said Simi looking towards the rink.

Jemima scanned the crowd. ‘Looks like we might reel in a catch here.’

Meagan tried not to laugh as she watched Jemima do a seated shimmy to the loud dance music spilling from the rink outside. It usually took so much alcohol to get Jemima dancing it wasn’t cost effective. Simi continued to tie her laces, barely having spoken since they’d arrived.

‘Come on, Sim. Spit it out,’ Meagan said, folding her arms.

Simi looked back out at the rink. ‘I don’t want to play the game anymore.’

Thank God! thought Meagan who was becoming convinced the gains were not worth the pains for any of them. She threw a ‘finally’ roll of her eyes to Jemima who would probably be even more delighted about this than she was. The whole experience seemed to be causing her actual physical pain.

‘Well, if you’re sure!’ said Meagan as she clomped towards the rink. ‘They’re serving free glühwein. Let’s get a glass or ten before they run out!’

‘Wait a minute. It’s only been a couple of weeks,’ said Jemima wobbling to her feet.

‘What?’ snapped Meagan.

Even if Jemima was opening up to meeting someone, no way was this her preferred method.

‘Thing is, I only broke up with Oscar two weeks ago,’ reasoned Simi, ‘and plus, if I’m going to meet someone I should speak to him myself – start believing in my choices.’

‘And who told you to do that?’ asked Meagan.

Simi opened and closed her mouth. ‘I… just… me.’

Meagan’s eyes narrowed. This had Oprah written all over it. Listening to your inner she-wolf and thinking for yourself was fine for everyone else but when Simi did it, it always led to trouble. And guess who had to come to the rescue: Meagan.

‘I trust your decisions! I’d never have met these guys without you,’ Jemima implored.

‘But you hated Lance,’ said Simi.

‘But I loved what I learned.’

‘Really?’ said Simi.

‘Definitely. They say the thinking that got you into a problem can’t get you out of it so that’s why I need you guys. New thinking. Your thinking. You and Meag,’ said Jemima, taking Simi’s hand.

‘But, I – don’t we need to trust our instincts, make our own choices?’

‘No, Sim, we need each other,’ Jemima said shuffling closer to her. ‘Have you noticed how a three-legged stool never wobbles?’

‘I suppose.’ Simi nodded. ‘Yeah… I’d never thought of that.’