“Uh-huh.” Dove reached over and took a sip of my milkshake. A really long one. “Gotta hope she’s not leaving it too late. Thanks for the shake, by the way.”

In a normal situation, I’d make an excuse and leave, but as I was sitting in a cubicle, I was a bit stuck.

“Ermmm…no problem?” I was being as upbeat as I could. “Anyway, I won’t stop you, but thought I’d say hi.” I waved up at her. “And fingers crossed Elle wins, right?”

I’d gone for killing her with kindness.

“Sure.” Dove pushed her lips together. “Time will tell, huh?” And that was that, off she went to the counter.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it as I sat on my own in the cinema. All this time I’d been hoping Elle won #FestiveFifteen—I mean, I’d literally swapped lives to make it happen—but now that I’d met Dove, unless there was something I was seriously missing, I wasn’t sure I wanted her to.

Chapter Twelve

Elle

Five Days till Christmas

“Tell me they’re your panto pants?” I pointed at Fred’s jeans. He immediately doubled over and started patting himself like he was on fire.

“Oh God…” He was actually panting as he stood back up. “Pants? I thought you meant I’d forgotten my trousers… Again.” He was too funny. “Anyway.” He thrust his hands out. “I brought these.” Twiglets? Did he expect me to eat tree bits? “Ten out of ten brilliant. And a can of this.”

Vimto? I said thanks but looked at it suspiciously.

Still, what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger, right?

After Hol had messaged the night before last to say she was watching Die Hard on her own, I’d bitten the bullet and asked Fred if he wanted to come with me after all. When he said yes, it made me happier than I realized it was going to. And now we were outside, the hall all lit up in the dark night. It felt all Christmassy and twinkly and magical.

“Great minds think alike. For you…” I handed over the massive bag of Mis Shape chocolate I’d gotten him from Cadbury World. “Ten out of ten sweater, by the way.” I’d only just made it back in time—but I’d had the best day. And even better, I’d jumped up to 8,329 new followers. Not just second place, but less than three hundred behind Clara. The announcement about #OneElleOfAChristmasDayInLondon, and all the suggestions coming in, had turned things around, and if London went well tomorrow, I really could be in with a chance of overtaking Clara. Not just keeping my account. But actually winning.