And once the truth is out, I’ll have to face the rest.
I’ll need to sort out my living situation. The lease is still in both our names, and there’s no way I can afford the full rent on my own. Whether Maddie stays in New York or comes back to London, one thing’s clear: I’ll need to find a new place.
I’m not too stressed about it, to be honest. After all those years crammed into a literal shoebox with Francis, I know how to adapt. I’ve lived with worse.
Speaking of Francis…
I hit record and fire off a voice note to Maddie, keeping my tone steady and calm. I suggest we talk tomorrow.
Then I finally shoot Francis a message:
REMI
HEY FRAN, HOW ARE YOU, MATE?
DID YOU GUYS MANAGE TO ESCAPE UNSCATHED FROM THE CLUTCHES OF MISS MORRIS LAST NIGHT?
SERIOUSLY, YOUR GIRLFRIEND’S A GENIUS. IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR HER, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW WE WOULD’VE PULLED IT OFF!
Francis is online and replies immediately. As I read his message, I can practically hear his smug voice in my head.
FRANCIS
ANNEISA GENIUS, YES. DON’T WORRY, I MADE SURE SHE WAS PROPERLY REWARDED…
REMI
SPARE ME THE DETAILS, THANKS…
FRANCIS
AS FOR MISS MORRIS, I DON’T THINK YOU NEED TO WORRY TOO MUCH.
SHE WAS SO HYSTERICAL ABOUT HER RUINED DRESS THAT YOUR PIANIST’S GREAT ESCAPE ENDED UP BEING THE LEAST OF HER CONCERNS, JUST AS MY LITTLE EVIL GENIUS PREDICTED…
I freeze instinctively in the middle of the street.
Your pianist? Hmm… Has Francis already figured it out?
No, he can’t have… right?
Still, it’s definitely time to talk to him. I don’t think I can keep pretending much longer, not in front of my best friend.
REMI
HOW ABOUT NOAH AND JAMIE? I HOPE THEY WEREN’T TOO UPSET BY OUR VANISHING ACT.
FRANCIS
ARE YOU KIDDING? THEY WERE BUZZING. BETWEEN THE CONCERT AND THE POST-SHOW CHAOS, THEY HAD THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES.
ACTUALLY… I’M PRETTY SURE THEY WENT HOME TOCELEBRATETHE SUCCESS OF THE PLAN.
LAST I SAW THEM, THEY WERE PRACTICALLY FUSED TOGETHER.
REMI
FRANCIS!! SERIOUSLY. I DONOTNEED UPDATES ON MY FRIENDS’ SEX LIVES.
