‘Itwillblow over quickly,’ she continues with strength in her voice. ‘You know what TikTok is like, it’ll be onto the next viral thing within twenty-four hours. You’ll be forgotten so fast.’
‘I hope so.’ I swallow hard, then feel anger rising in my chest. ‘Why would someone share this though?’ I ask. ‘What kind of person would do that? What kind of horrible sad excuse would film it in the first place and put it on the internet?’
‘I think we both know who posted this,’ she replies sombrely, ‘I mean, it’s obvious. Who would want to hurt you like this? Who’s already been torturing you for weeks and whose whole purpose is solely driven by tormenting and destroying you?’ She pauses dramatically. ‘It was the daddy long-legs.’
Despite myself, I laugh at this.
Everything always feels so much better when I’ve spoken to Sam.
And maybe she’s right and things will be okay. Sam still loves me, I’ve still got my job, and all this drama will die down really fast. I just have to hang on in there.
The bathroom door opens and someone at the sinks calls my name. I recognise Jools’ voice and say a quick goodbye to Sam, slowly standing up. ‘I’m here,’ I call out.
‘Oh, sweetheart!’ she says, throwing her arms out as I exit the cubicle. She pulls me close and I breathe in her familiar shampoo smell. ‘I’m really sorry I didn’t say anything! I was so surprised to see you turn up this morning and didn’t know whether to mention it. I assumed you knew and were trying to be as normal as possible. I’m so sorry, my darling.’
I shake my head into her shoulder. ‘Don’t be silly, Jools, it’s not your fault. I just can’t believe it’s happened. I’m so embarrassed.’
‘You must be a wreck.’ She shakes her head, her glasses sliding down her nose as she regards me with concern. Then she frowns. ‘I can’t believe that little knob Spencer wouldn’t let me finish your eyebrows. He hasn’t sacked you, has he? Tell me he hasn’t? We’ll riot.’
I shake my head, then straighten up. ‘No, and I’m okay, honestly. Thanks for being so lovely, Jools, you’re the best. But you don’t need to worry, I’m all right, I think. I’m just going to ignore all the comments and wait for this to blow over. It was just one silly video where I made a fool of myself. There will be another idiot on the internet tomorrow,stealing focus from my temporary insanity. I just need to keep my head down for a couple of days.’
She nods slowly, looking worried and avoiding my eyes. ‘Um, well… yeah, maybe.’
I narrow my eyes at her. ‘What?’ She says nothing and I move closer, forcing her to look straight at me. I give her my sternest expression, which is effective even without eyebrows. ‘Jools,what?’
She swallows dryly and removes her glasses, cleaning the glass with the corner of her cardigan. ‘Oh, love. I’m so sorry. There’s another video of you from last night. Someone just shared another one.’
From out in the hallway, I hear Spencer roaring. He’s yelling my name.
[LIVE] EXPLORE FOLLOWING FRIENDS FOR YOU
ViralVideosTranscribed
one hour ago
LIV CARPENTER’S HILAR MELTDOWN PART TWO – NEW FOOTAGE TRANSCRIBED!!!
Waiter 2:Oh god, she’s coming back.
Waiter 1:Erm, madam—
LC:I would like another piece of cheesecake, please.
Justin:What are you doing, Liv? Come back to insult more of my mum’s soft furnishings?
LC:[still speaking to the waiter] I REALLY LIKED THAT CHEESECAKE, PLEASE BRING ME ANOTHER SLICE. I JUST GOT DUMPED AND I WOULD LIKE SOME MORE PUDDING PLEASE.
Waiter 1:Coming right up, madam.
LC:PLEASE STOP CALLING ME MADAM, I’M ONLY JUST 31.
Waiter 1:Sorry… miss? I’ll get you some cheesecake.
LC:Unless you found some tiramisu?
Waiter 2:No.
LC:I really like cream. It doesn’t sit well with me, but I love it.
