She made her way to Poppy’s Books and Coffee, an old favourite haunt of hers, for her first podcast brainstorm with Ben. Pushing open the front door, a familiar bell chimed, alerting the novels to her presence. She inhaled the intoxicating scent of paperbacks combined with coffee beans. Founded by socialite and soon-to-be Instagram influencer Poppy Pencil, Poppy’s was an institution. It exuded quirk, its walls splattered with colourful polka dots and velvet beanbags slouched in every corner. The staff were enthusiastic and often came dressed as their favourite book characters. Rounding the towering shelves, Evie spotted Ben. Seeing her, his face broke into a lovely smile.

‘Found anything that tickles your fancy?’ she asked after she’d ordered a latte and sat down in a beanbag across from him.

‘Still waiting for a spark.’ Ben shopped for films and books as if he were swiping through Tinder (not that Tinder existed yet). He was always seeking out that magical connection, that ever-evasive je ne sais quoi. ‘Have you heard from Hugo yet?’ Ben asked.

‘Not since almost killing my dad,’ Evie said, trying to sound blasé.

‘You must be equally worried and annoyed.’

She was, but Ben didn’t need to know that. She was determined not to be that pathetic, pining stereotype of a woman. She wouldn’t be defined by her intense, decade-long crush that defied all rhyme and reason.

‘I’m sure he’s just really busy. His book is going to be signed soon.’

‘Has someone made an offer?’ asked Ben, looking up from the silver-spined book he was flicking through.

‘Nope, but I have a feeling they will soon,’ she replied, before launching into her mental list of ‘Important Things to discuss with Ben about the Podcast’. ‘I’ve been brainstorming podcast guests for our show. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say Helena Bonham Carter?’

‘That you’re dreaming?’

Evie would have agreed with Ben when they’d started their podcast the first time around, but she knew they’d come to realise that quite a few high-profile actors were more than happy for any opportunity to talk about themselves.

‘Kids, no dream is ever too big,’ she replied in a deep, old man voice. It was a line that their teacher Lionel Dawson repeated multiple times each lecture, and Evie liked reciting it in his voice, for fun, whenever she had the chance.

Ben laughed. ‘You’re an idiot.’