Jemima turned. Through the frosted glass she could see Chance running his hands through his hair. He was frustrated? What about her, having some smarty pants half-doctor critiquing her book? He gets a couple of mentions in his brother’s autobiography and thinks he’s A.A. Gill. Jemima clumped down the stairs. Everything felt heavy; her limbs, her head, the air. She stepped out into the street now aware of the incessant ringing of her phone. She yanked it from her pocket and peered at the screen. With no fight left, she answered.

‘Hi Miles,’ she said as she walked off towards her flat.

Chapter 30

Meagan

Meagan stepped back to survey her half-painted office wall. DIY wasn’t her ideal way of spending a Friday afternoon but at least since she’d turned it into a painting party, it felt less like accepting help and more like just a messy get-together. And now she’d accepted six hands were better than two, the overhaul was finally close to completion and she was here for that. After many raised voices with Glenn, the door was hung, the fittings would be installed on Monday and once the paint work was finished she could bring in her new furniture. Soon things would start to feel normal. The office would be done along with the dating game and, fingers crossed, Todd’s temporary madness. Meagan poured two whiskies, handing one to Jemima and passing Simi a can of pre-mixed gin and tonic.

‘Thanks,’ said Simi tugging at the ring pull. ‘Do you guys realise, we’ve only got a week left of the game?’

‘Have we?’ said Meagan with blistering sarcasm.

‘Come on, Meag. It’s been good. I’ve learned loads and we’ve dated some really interesting men,’ said Simi.

Meagan scoffed. Bruno, her snuffling suitor had been many things but interesting was not one of them.

‘Thing is, now that we’re coming to the end I think we need to up the stakes,’ said Simi sipping her gin and tonic. ‘The guys have been nice but this game is about new possibilities.’

‘Good point. Maybe we should give it another week or two,’ said Jemima, pushing and pulling her roller across the wall.

Meagan wiped her hands on a cloth and tossed it aside. She didn’t need new possibilities. It was these two dolts that were all over the place. From across the office, Simi gave her most persuasive doe eyes and Meagan begrudgingly caved.

‘Okay, Sim-Simma,’ she sighed. ‘What did you have in mind?’

‘Really?! Right,’ Simi said gesticulating with her paint-stirring chopstick. ‘We’ve all talked about what the others need but I think it’s time we felt it. Some real, from-the-soul truths.’

‘I don’t get it,’ said Jemima.

‘We did it in an acting class once. Meag, sit,’ said Simi planting herself on the floor, cross-legged and beckoning Meagan to join her.

‘Why am I going first?’ Meagan squawked.

‘Just because. Now sit down and close your eyes,’ commanded Simi taking Meagan’s hands in hers.

Meagan reluctantly sat, closing her eyes. In front of her, she could hear Simi take several deep breaths before letting out a low moan. Great, thought Meagan. Instead of finishing her office, she was now in some bizarre love séance.