‘Blake, who? Haven’t heard of him, either.’
‘Yes, you have! You’ll know him when you see him. He’s the main guy onOutlaws. The really fit cowboy.’
‘Nope. Never seen it.’
‘How can youstillhave not seenOutlaws?’ Phoebe said, exasperated. ‘You need to keep up, Abs, otherwise you’ll lose all track of cultural references.’
‘There’s too many must-see TV shows these days – how do people find the time?’
‘By getting their priorities right, Abi, that’s how! Trust me, you’ll miraculously find the time to watcheverythingBlake’s ever been in once you meet him. You can stare at him all day on set, and then zoom in on his face when you get home on Netflix. Or is that just me?’
‘Erm… I think that’s just you. I didn’t have you down as a star gazer. I’ll see if I can get you a signed photo if you like?’
‘I want a lot more than that,’ Phoebe said. ‘I should probably swing by the set tomorrow, in fact, and make sure you’re… OK.’
‘Nice try.’ I laughed. ‘I’m not sure agents are allowed to hang around, littering the set. Give me a few weeks and I’ll get you in.’
‘Thanks, darl, you’re a peach.’
‘Anyone we know in the wider make-up team?’ I asked, hopefully. It would be nice to see a few familiar faces on day one.
‘Not on the list I’ve been given. You know how cliquey the film lot are. Most of them flew in this weekend from New York, apparently. The newAvatarmovie has just wrapped, so they’ve come straight here from that. But there’s nothing to worry about – once you’re in, you’re in. You’ll make friends quickly enough – you always do.’
I hoped so. I had butterflies at the thought of a whole new gang to get to know. I loved meeting new people, but I wasn’t so keen on the part that came after that. Which was why first dates worked so well in my favour – I could just have fun and be whatever version of myself I felt like being on the night, then let it go. Sure, I’m into scuba diving. No way? I’ve been to Kilimanjaro! I LOVE horror films! They didn’t need to know too much about the real me because it wouldn’t go any further. Dipping my toe in the dating pool and then running scared before anything could get serious. It was easier that way – no complications, nobody’s feelings got hurt. But I always gave them my full attention while I was there, the VIP Abi experience – whether we went for drinks, dinner, or occasionally more.
My phone gave another ting.
Pete:Shame. Enjoy Ibiza and I’ll look you up next time I’m in town xx
Two
Sunday 28thJuly
There was nothing better than a Sunday lunch with my girls – apart from abirthdaySunday lunchwith my girls. And today was a big one. We were celebrating Kat’s 30thbirthday and her friends and family were meeting us at the pub to surprise her. Kat and Sara had rallied round to fill the Holly-shaped hole in my life when she moved abroad, and even though I’d only known them a couple of years, it felt like we’d been friends forever. The three of us had met at a local HIIT class, and it had been such a laugh that we’d managed to stick to it week after week, and were now so close, we pretty much shared a brain. I’d have been lost without them.
I arrived at the pub with three large helium balloons, a bouquet of roses and a massive rucksack full of party poppers, paper hats and table confetti. It would be easy enough to lay it all out once I got in the room, but I was feeling slightly panicked at the time ticking on. Sara was bringing Kat to the pub for 4 p.m. sharp and the other guests would be arriving any minute.
‘Hi! I’ve got the private dining room booked under Mason for 3.30 p.m.,’ I said, putting down my party paraphernalia and wrestling the balloons into line. The beer garden was rammed with groups of friends and happy couples enjoying sunny drinks. The bar staff busily running back and forth with trays of pints and jugs of Pimm’s, as a beardy man started strumming his guitar.
The waitress looked at her watch. ‘I’m not sure we’re quite ready for you yet...’ she said, then spotted the enormous bag on my back. ‘But looks like we might have to be.’
‘I wanted to decorate the room before people arrive. Any chance I can get in early?’ I pleaded. ‘If not, can I at least put these in there?’ I nodded at the balloons, bobbing overhead.
She eyed them with a smile.
‘Come on then,’ she whispered, glancing over her shoulder. ‘As long as the manager doesn’t catch me breaking the rules.’ We walked through the restaurant, where people were chatting happily over Caesar salads and salmon quiche, with large glasses of crisp, white wine, and she unlocked the door to the private dining room, where three large tables were beautifully laid. The sun streamed in from the patio doors, which opened out into the beer garden, and bunches of pink tulips smiled brightly from glass jugs. It was light and bright and airy. I dropped my bags on the floor and looked around in delight.
‘This is perfect, thank you so much!’ I said with a smile.
‘It’s a lovely room, isn’t it?’ she nodded, pleased. ‘I’ll send the others through at 3.30 p.m.’
‘The birthday girl is due at 4 p.m.’
‘Got it,’ she said, with a wink. ‘I’ll come and check you’re ready before I let her in.’
I dragged the balloons over to the middle chair on the middle table, the three of them boinging into each other as they floated across the room. A three and a zero in voluminous gold foil, with a third that said ‘Happy 30thBirthday’ in case it wasn’t entirely clear. I put the roses and my present next to them, beautifully wrapped in acid green tissue and silver ribbons. I’d spent hours designing a photobook stuffed full of our memories and it was so cute – I couldn’t wait for Kat to open it. The three of us having dinner at Exmouth Market, drinking cocktails on a Shoreditch rooftop, wearing matching dresses at Latitude Festival, and that fancy dress party where we’d gone as a rabbit and two carrots. I’d printed all our photos out, as well as a selection from her friends and family, and put a stack on each table. Thirty years of Kat. Then set out the paper hats and streamers, piled up the party poppers and sprinkled out the ‘Happy Birthday’ confetti. A super speedy set up.
A tall waiter with a tiny moustache popped his head in. ‘Everything OK in here? You’ve got some prosecco pre-ordered, haven’t you?’ he asked. ‘Is it a birthday?’
