When Evie arrived at the quaint Italian restaurant tucked in an unassuming side street in Shoreditch, she spotted Sami and Ben at a table in the corner. Ben had his back to her, but she immediately recognised the square of his shoulders and the pattern of his shirt—navy and covered in hotdogs with tiny faces—which she found a confusing mix of ridiculous and sweet.

In front of him sat Sami, who was every bit as striking as she’d appeared in all the photos Ben had shown Evie. With sun-kissed skin and long brown hair that cascaded down her back, she was petite with a slender frame but a broad smile. She looked at Ben with such adoration that it made Evie take a step back, afraid she might ruin the moment. Sami lightly touched Ben’s face as he said something, then she tilted her head back and laughed uproariously.

Evie walked towards them slowly, passing candlelit tables laden with plates of pizza and bowls of steaming pasta.

‘Hey there, old pals!’ she exclaimed, punching Ben on the arm. She had never done that before in her life.

Ben turned around, raising his eyebrows. ‘Hi there, old chap.’ He hit her arm back, mocking her. ‘Sami.’ He turned to face his beautiful girlfriend. ‘I’d like you to meet my best friend, Evie Berry.’

Evie put out her hand for Sami to shake, grinning with what felt like an exaggerated smile, but Sami leaped from her chair—she must be six foot!—and wrapped her arms around Evie’s stiff body.

‘I’ve heard so much about you. It’s so good to finally meet you!’ Sami said with a Northern lilt.

‘Only good things, I hope.’ Evie laughed awkwardly, taking a seat beside Ben.

‘The good, the bad, the everything! Ben has told me all about your crazy antics together.’

Evie gave Ben a look and he shook his head, smiling.

‘So, where’s that famous boyfriend of yours?’ Sami asked, taking a sip of her water.

‘Oh, he should be here any minute. He’s coming straight from the airport. He’s mostly in LA at the moment,’ Evie said, trying to sound equally proud and modest.

‘That must be so exciting!’ said Sami, her eyes alight with interest.

She’s so warm and friendly and unpretentious. They seem a good fit, thought Evie.

The door of the restaurant opened and Hugo walked in wearing a trench coat, wheeling his carry-on Louis Vuitton suitcase. The whole restaurant seemed to hush as people turned to see the Hugo Hearst.

‘Evie,’ he said as he reached the table. ‘God I’ve missed you.’ He bent down to kiss Evie on the lips, and embraced her passionately.

Self-conscious with Ben sitting right beside her, Evie pulled away quickly, introducing him to Sami.