Trying to hide my delight, I hurry over to the table and sink down in the chair next to Sage.

Oh God, my thighs are about twice the size of hers. Never mind. I’ll just keep my gaze away from the general thigh direction.

‘What happened?’ Sage is demanding eagerly. ‘Where were you?’

‘She was in a sports shop on Rodeo Drive. She pinched three pairs of socks. I mean, she gave them back,’ I add hurriedly. ‘I think it was just … you know. A moment of madness.’

‘And you caught her?’

‘I chased her down the street,’ I admit. ‘I didn’t know who she was at first.’

‘You’re a hero!’ Sage lifts a hand and high-fives me with her tiny, beringed hand. ‘Go Becky!’

‘I had no idea.’ Luke looks gobsmacked.

‘Well, I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone.’

‘But you’ve just told us.’ Luke raises his eyebrows at me and I feel an uneasy pang, which I squash down. Come on. It’s no big deal. It’s not like I’ve blabbed to the whole world.

‘Don’t tell anyone else, will you?’ I look around the table. ‘It was only three pairs of socks.’

‘Sure.’ Sage pats my hand. ‘Your secret’s safe with us.’

‘She was lucky it was you that caught her and not store security,’ says Aran dryly.

‘Typical. That witch always lands on her feet.’ Sage rolls her eyes. ‘Now, if it had been me who caught her …’

‘Don’t even go there.’ Aran gives a short laugh.

‘What happened between you two?’ I venture timidly. ‘I know there was some kind of … argument?’

‘Argument?’ Sage gives a snort. ‘More like a completely unprovoked attack. She’s, like, a total psycho. She has a screw loose, if you ask me.’

‘Sage.’ Aran sighs. ‘This is old ground.’ He glances at Luke. ‘Maybe we could move on.’

‘Absolutely.’ Luke nods. ‘Let’s—’

‘No! Becky wants to hear about it!’ Sage turns to me, ignoring both Aran and Luke. ‘It started at the SAG Awards. She said she should have won Best Actress because she looked better than me in her movie. Hello? I was playing a cancer victim.’

‘No way,’ I stare at her, shocked. ‘That’s awful.’

‘You know what she said? “You don’t get any acting awards for shaving off your hair.”’ Sage’s eyes open wide. ‘D’you know how much research I put into that role?’

‘Anyway—’

‘Well, she’s getting what she deserves now.’ Sage’s eyes narrow. ‘D’you hear about this athletics film she’s doing? Nightmare. Ten million over budget and the director just walked out. Everyone hates her. She’s gonna go down.’ Her phone bleeps and she squints at it. ‘Oh. I gotta go. You guys finish up without me.’

‘You have to go?’ Luke stares at her. ‘We’ve only just started!’

‘Sage, hon.’ Aran sighs again. ‘We cleared your schedule for this. We want to hear what Luke has to say.’

‘I have to go,’ she repeats, shrugging. ‘I forgot I have a class at Golden Peace.’