Jemima laughed. Maybe she was starting to get the hang of this.

The girls looked on as Mo bantered with his friends, his bluey-white teeth giving him that dazzling smile you only ever saw in Hollywood… and Essex.

‘Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, this is AMAZING. He’s exactly what we talked about. He’s in the biz. He’s successful and he is hot as a mother monster!’ trilled Simi.

‘You bagged a good ’un, Jem,’ Meagan said winking at her.

‘And I’m gonna get you someone even better, Meag,’ said Simi leaning against the side scrutinising every skater that whizzed past.

‘Well, go on then,’ said Jemima tapping her watch. ‘They’re not going to come to you.’

‘Oh… yes… they… are… HEY!’ Simi yelled at a passing skater.

As she hollered, the helpful stranger from earlier skidded to a halt and Simi zigzagged over.

‘Well played, Simster. Well played,’ said Meagan with a conceding nod.

Jemima watched as Simi, after a brief chat with her target, beckoned Meagan over. Why was Meagan so drawn to tall men? Even when she was in heels they towered over her like the Shard. As Jemima pondered, a very excited Simi and less enthused Meagan made their way back over.

‘He’s a nerd,’ Meagan said.

‘He owns a tech company and his name’s AJ,’ enthused Simi.

‘He hasn’t even got a full name and he’s barely six foot,’ griped Meagan.

‘And you’re five four – in your heels,’ said Simi.

‘Plus he doesn’t drink. Where’s he gonna take me, a library?’

‘Well I think you’re going to have a lovely time,’ said Jemima poking Meagan.

‘With my teetotal midget. I’ll give it an hour,’ she said.

As the girls continued to rib Meagan, the ice rink speakers crackled to life.

‘Skaters – You have ten more minutes. I repeat, ten more minutes to GET YOUR SKATE ON!’ And with that the music ramped up several decibels.

‘I’ll get the job done in eight.’ Meagan grinned as she skated off at speed.

‘I’m gonna go for a victory lap,’ said Simi, attempting a twirl. ‘You’ll be okay?’

‘I’ll be right here, waiting for Meag to drag over my prey,’ smirked Jemima.

Simi gave her a stern look.

‘Sorry, my prize, my prince even!’

Satisfied, Simi wobbled off to re-join the stream of skaters.

As Jemima leaned against the sidings she felt her phone vibrate. She pulled it from her pocket and peered at her screen. It was an email from her LA pal, Rebecca. The title read: House Swap. Interested??? Jemima’s pulse quickened as she clicked open the message and read. Rebecca was relocating to London and, as the title suggested, was looking for a house swap. Jemima swiped through the attached photos. She was almost breathless at the images of Rebecca’s apartment which looked just as beautiful and bright as she remembered.

‘Watcha doin’?’ said Simi, clattering against the siding.

‘That was a fast lap,’ Jemima stuttered, quickly pocketing her phone. ‘It was just an email – from my friend Rebecca. It’s nothing.’