Jemima exhaled quietly as he squirmed.

‘It’s like old school Beverly from book one and then some. You’ve added this awesome layer to her. How did you do it?’ Chance asked.

Jemima hesitated.

‘I borrowed the stories – from my friends’ lives. The friends-with-benefits thing, that’s Meagan and the absent father moment, that’s Simi,’ Jemima said, surprised at the relief of saying it out loud.

‘And the sass, that’s pure Meagan,’ she continued, ‘and so is the fixation with a life plan. There’s more of that in the next chapter but you get the idea.’

‘And they’re good with this?’ Chance said in wonder.

‘How do you mean?’ Jemima asked, her breathy excitement fading at the question.

Chance looked away thoughtfully.

‘What? What is it?’ Jemima said sitting up.

‘I dunno. Just seems a bit… harsh. I mean, the bit where you say she’s using the, you know, fuck buddy, doesn’t seem like you. And won’t your mate be pissed when she reads it?’ he said sitting back.

Jemima’s lips tightened. ‘If you knew Meagan, you’d know she’s not much of a reader. And anyway, it’s a character. I’m saying it about Beverly, not her. Meagan’ll understand that.’

Jemima felt a pain in her hand as her nails dug in hard. Even she knew, just because Meagan hadn’t picked up a book since the Yellow Pages went online, this wasn’t really a defence.

‘So you haven’t asked her?’ Chance said.

Jemima stared back at him, not in the mood for twenty questions. It was time to leave.

‘I am going to tell them. It just hasn’t come up,’ she said, rising to her feet.

‘Look, I know it’s Cheeseville but honesty’s the best policy, then everyone knows where they stand, but what do I know. Look at me telling you how to do your job,’ Chance laughed awkwardly jumping up and pushing the chairs back to their place against the wall.

‘I think I know my friends a little better than you,’ said Jemima tugging her coat from its hook.

Chance looked at Jemima, her words seeming to broadside him.

‘You’re right. It’s none of my business,’ he said opening the door with one hand, rubbing his temple with the other.

‘Listen, Meagan said the dating drama from our game would be good for my book,’ said Jemima, her throat tightening.

‘Her dating drama – or yours?’

‘Her drama is my drama,’ Jemima said, irritation growing.

He was right. This was none of his business. When the time came, Jemima would tell Meagan and Simi and they would understand.

‘It’s your call,’ said Chance holding the door open wider.

Jemima’s lips went taut. ‘That’s right. It is.’

The moment the words left her mouth she regretted them.

Chance pushed his hands into his pocket.

‘Cool. Well, thanks for stopping by,’ he said, primed to close the door as soon as he could.

‘Right, bye then,’ said Jemima as she made her way down the stairs.

‘Yep, bye,’ said Chance, his hard, clipped words dropping like pebbles as the door closed.