‘I hadn’t considered that,’ I admit.
‘OK. What are your most antisocial habits?’
‘I don’t think I’ve got any, have I?’
There’s an uncomfortable silence. Rosie and Priya are looking at each other and my skin is starting to prickle uncomfortably.
‘You tell her,’ Priya says.
‘I can’t. You do it,’ Rosie replies.
‘What?’ I’m now in full-on paranoia mode. ‘Tell me.’
To my surprise, they both burst out laughing again. ‘You’re fine,’ Priya assures me. ‘We were just winding you up.’
‘Apart from your terrible taste in boyfriends, anyway,’ Rosie adds.
‘I wish I could say you were wrong,’ I tell her, joining in with their laughter.
‘There’s nothing to worry about,’ I tell Rosie later that night. ‘Fliss is absolutely lovely and we got on like a house on fire.’
‘Oh, great. So does that mean you’re going?’
‘It does. I’ve just texted Lily to let her know.’
‘What happens now?’
‘I guess Robert has to call the holiday company and get his booking changed into my name. Once I receive the confirmation from them, I’ll send him the money.’
‘Did you find out any more about the breakup?’
‘No. Fliss only mentioned his name once, but the way she said it left me in no doubt that she absolutely hates his guts. It must be something bad though, because she comes across as very chilled generally.’
Rosie gets up from the sofa and comes over to envelop me in a hug. ‘I’m so pleased for you,’ she says. ‘You’re going to have a blast. You don’t think Fliss would sell me her place, do you?’
‘Although it would be lovely to be there with you, I think Fliss is pretty determined to go,’ I tell her.
‘I’m teasing. There is one thing you have to take both Priya and me along to though.’
‘Which is?’
‘Shopping for your holiday wardrobe.’
‘Nuh-uh. This is costing enough as it is. I’ve already got summer clothes. I don’t need a new wardrobe.’
‘Are you sure?’ Rosie asks dubiously. ‘You want to be looking your best in case there’s a billionaire oil tycoon there.’
‘Why would he be there?’
‘You should always be prepared for the possibility of a billionaire oil tycoon,’ she says, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
‘Does he have to be an oil tycoon?’ I ask. ‘It’s not a great look when we’re all talking about climate change.’
‘Fine. He’s a billionaire eco-warrior guy.’
‘Nope. Don’t like the sound of him much either. I prefer my steak medium, without a side order of guilt trip.’
‘Stick with the oil guy then. He’s rich, but troubled by the source of his wealth, so he’s incredibly philanthropic. That’s attractive, right?’
