“Postponed.” Ruby put her hands in her front jean pockets. “I thought seeing as we weren’t seeing you till after Christmas, this came first.”

“Oh, Rubes?!” Holly sat back on my bed. Well, more of a collapse really. “I’m so sorry. SO sorry. You should be there! And you know I didn’t mean what I said?! And, ahhh.” She dropped her head in her free hand. “And Fred. I mean…it all makes sense now. I couldn’t understand why you were going on about that list…” Fred was looking at the floor, even more awkward than normal. “You sounded worse than me!” But no one laughed.

At least I knew now Fred was with Eve, so I didn’t have to humiliate myself by thinking me and him could be anything more.

How had I been so stupid as to let myself like him? This was exactly the reason I didn’t let people in anymore.

“But, Elle?” Holly finally made eye contact with me. “I don’t understand. Why would you do all this for me if you were getting together with Woody?”

I totally got why she was so angry—I would be too. But she had me so wrong.

“I can explain… It’s not exactly how he said.”

“Well, it looks very much like it.” She held up her phone. “According to this…”

I leaned in to take a look—he was such a slimeball for sending her that.

“But that’s because he’s a total creep…” I got mine out to show her the whole thing. “I didn’t send him one message, I sent him two.”

I held up the second one I sent, straight after, when I’d realized how someone like him might take the first one. I knew he might say no, but I’d rather that than him not realize I was 100 percent team Holly.

Holly read it out.

“Sorry—full disclosure, all I need is a selfie with you, for a challenge. My US friend is into British boys, and while I personally much prefer personality, and, y’know, boys who don’t cheat on their girlfriends, I thought someone like you wouldn’t say no to more attention.”

At least I had the proof to clear that up—I didn’t want Fred thinking it either. But when I looked around, he’d gone. I didn’t even hear him slip out.

“We were going to tell you.” Ruby looked sullen. “Before the film…so you knew what was going on.” She laughed through her nose. “I even thought you might find it funny. Woody’s got a track record with trying to ruin movies, after all…”

Holly shook her head. “But he got in there first. He is just…”

“THE WORST,” we all said together. Finally—something we agreed on.