‘Exactly. I’m looking into flights right now. I’ve told the school we’re taking the children on an educational sabbatical. LA is educational, right?’

‘Definitely! So how long are you coming for?’

‘I don’t know,’ says Suze. ‘At least a month, maybe more. Tarkie needs some serious time off. A week won’t do it. Oh, what was your news?’ she adds as an afterthought.

‘Nothing much,’ I say casually. ‘Just that I met Sage Seymour and we really got on and we’re going to have coffee at Golden Peace.’

Ha!

‘Oh my God!’ Suze’s voice blasts me away. ‘Come on, spill! What was she like? What was she wearing? What did— Hang on,’ she interrupts herself. ‘Did you say Golden Peace?’

‘Yes.’ I try to sound nonchalant.

‘The rehab place?’

‘Yes.’

‘Started by Alicia Bitch Long-legs’ husband?’

‘Yes.’

‘Bex, are you insane? Why are you going there?’

‘To … um … to go on the spending-addiction programme.’

‘What?’ She actually splutters down the phone.

‘I want to work on my issues.’ I clear my throat. ‘I have some big stuff to sort out.’

Somehow when I say it to Suze it doesn’t sound as convincing as it did before.

‘No you don’t!’ she says in derision. ‘You just want to hang out with Sage Seymour and all the celebrities!’

‘Well, so what if I do?’ I say defensively.

‘But they’re all weird,’ she says, sounding unhappy. ‘Bex, don’t get weird on me, please.’

I’m momentarily silenced. She’s right. They are a bit weird. Alicia’s totally weird. But then, if I don’t go to Golden Peace, how will I get to have coffee with Sage?

‘I’ll be fine. I’ll only listen with one ear.’

‘Well … all right.’ Suze sighs. ‘But don’t get sucked in. Please.’

‘I promise.’ I cross my fingers.

I’m not going to admit the truth: I quite want to get sucked in. Because it’s occurred to me that if Sage goes to Golden Peace, who else might go? What career opportunities might there be? What if I meet some famous director and we get talking about the costumes for his next film over herbal tea, or whatever they drink. (Probably coconut water or yam water. Or banana water. Something gross like that.)

‘Bex?’

‘Oh.’ I come to. ‘Sorry, Suze.’

‘So, come on,’ she demands. ‘What was Sage wearing? And don’t leave anything out.’

‘Well …’ I sit back happily, settling in for a proper long chat. LA is fab and exciting and everything … but I do miss my best friend.

From: Kovitz, Danny

To: Kovitz, Danny

Subject: I’m alive!!!!!!

dearest friends

i write this from training camp on the island of kulusuk. i have been here one day and already i know this will be a transformating experience for me. i’ve never felt so alive. i have taken shots of the snow ice and the cute inuit people with their darling clothes. i am ready for the challenge. i am ready to push myself. i am ready to be at one with the soaring powerful nature that is around me. it is a mystical experience. i feel proud and humbled and enlivened and excited. i will see landscapes few people have ever seen. i will push myself to the brink. my new collection will be based on the experience.