Dear Future Edie,

I hope you’re having a sizzling summer, and generally feeling like a Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince ‘Summertime’ vibe: cocktails, barbecues and plenty of sunshine. All the things that the holidaymakers are having here when we’re sweating our bits off working hard.

I’ve been having a great time with the guys as per, but I have a secret. I’m actually a little relieved to have someone to tell as I can’t tell anyone here, but I’ve started to fancy Joel. Like really properly fancy him. Like I want to spend as much time as possible with him and I can’t concentrate on anything else when he’s around type fancying. I’m going out of my mind.

We spend so much time together and we have such a laugh, but I don’t know if he only sees me as a friend or as something more. I really want to find out but I’m scared that I’ll ruin our friendship.

I feel so much more for him than I ever did for Scott. We have this connection that’s really hard to explain. But if he doesn’t feel the same I don’t want to risk losing him from my life.

I know that it’s probably worth the risk and I know that I’m going to have to get brave, even though I’m terrified. Which leads me onto your note to self, which is to be you, just braver. Sometimes you’ve got to be brave and get something out in the open.

Much love,

Edie xx

Chapter 24

I’ve started to cling to the note-to-self lines like a talisman, chanting them over and over in my head when I need to hear them. Like now, as I will myself to be me only a little bit braver.

‘Hang on,’ I say, turning to the left. ‘You have to get this, it’s my best side.’

‘It’s your only side. That racoon took off the other side of your face,’ says Aaron, pretending to recoil in horror.

‘OK, OK,’ I say, trying to keep calm and remember the rules of improv. Agree with him and add something. ‘Unfortunately we couldn’t all die when we’d been made up on a movie set, like you.’

He runs a hand over his cheek.

‘You had to mention the movie, didn’t you?’ says Yas, shaking her head. ‘Here we go again with that damn story.’

‘It was a cold night, and I was getting ready for my big scene. My hair was coiffed to perfection. My make-up flawless, and then, and then …’

‘And then the rain fell and you tripped over the light and you got electrocuted, we’ve heard it plenty of times before,’ says Dave, pushing Aaron out the way. ‘Say cheese.’

He makes a flashing noise and we all pose for our imaginary photo booth picture.