Darcy wants to cry as she sidesteps an elderly man walking his dog, her mind bombarded with thoughts of Zoe Eggins. ‘Yes! She messaged me on Facebook, asking for all the details. It’s not like I could lie.’ Even though she’d considered it. Darcy had hoped Zoe would forget about the little university reunion, but she’d tracked Darcy down through social media to say she’d definitely be there tonight. She’d even used a smile emoji, which had made Darcy want to reply with a gun to the head emoji.

Her relationship with Drew is surviving through text messages and the occasional phone call. He seems fine, which only leaves her frustrated that she’s not coping. It’s been a massive week of work and all she really feels like doing tonight is bitching about how crappy her boss is to all her other university mates who would reply with equally sucky stories about their own lives. But having Zoe Eggins there will change the whole vibe—it’ll be a night of fake smiles and pretending everyone is over-the-top happy with their lives.

‘I wonder how many people will be sucking up her arse trying to land a job on Smith Street?’

Darcy screws up her face. She can’t think of anything worse. ‘Surely not?’ Her mind quickly starts scanning through the guest list. ‘I don’t think anyone could be that desperate.’

An hour or so later, Darcy finds herself glaring across the pub courtyard. The surrounds are gorgeous, with greenery covering all the walls, long wooden tables and funky-coloured stools. Fairy lights hang overhead and music from a live band hums from inside the pub. Despite this, Darcy’s eyes are fixed on Ed and Zoe. Most of their friends are milling around together, but Ed and Zoe are off to the side by themselves at a small bar table. Ed’s hand is clutched around his beer as he listens to Zoe speak. She’s using her hands, flamboyantly throwing them around, her mouth moving at an annoyingly fast speed.

Ed looks captivated rather than repulsed. It makes Darcy want to throw up. Instead she just rolls her eyes and fights the urge to spit.

Zoe leans forward, touching Ed on his shoulder. Darcy waits for Ed to shrug her hand away, but he just laughs, like he’s actually enjoying himself.

Ed starts talking now, a smile on his face.

A real smile.

Zoe laughs, tossing her hair.

Pathetic.

Ed keeps talking, as though the rest of the room doesn’t exist.

Darcy can’t quite figure it out. Is he flirting or trying to get a job? God, Darcy doesn’t know what’s worse.

Darcy tries to involve herself in other conversations. There’s plenty to talk about. Friends ask her about work and her engagement, but Darcy keeps finding herself tuning out, her eyes drawn back to Ed and Zoe.