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‘Early days. I know, I know. And I am happy for you, Soph. You’re smiling a lot more these days. And your wardrobe really has taken a massive turn for the better.’
‘Oh, thanks.’ I beam. ‘I’ve stepped into my colourful era. Do you fancy staying over tonight? We could get a takeaway and watch The OC like we did when we were kids.’
‘Can we do makeovers too?’
‘Only if I get to be Marissa?’
‘Yes! I’ll bring the shimmery lip gloss and the hip-hugging denim.’
‘It’s a date.’
Naturally Lila wanted in on the makeover action and she’s now gone to bed wearing a vintage Juicy Couture hoodie that Paris Hilton would have been proud of. I’m still wearing a silk scarf masquerading as a top and an extremely low-slung denim miniskirt while Poppy is tottering around in a floaty dress over jeans. Combine that with our bright pink eyeshadow, shiny lips and big hair and we look very early Noughties.
‘This is nice,’ I say as Poppy tips the remnants of a bottle of white wine into our glasses. ‘Hanging out, just the two of us. You not pestering me about my love life.’
‘You should invite Joe to Sunday lunch with Mum and Dad. Royal Oak?’
‘Crikey Pop, give us a minute, will you?’
‘What? It’ll be a nice way to get to know him.’
‘Well, yes, I agree. I’ll, er, think about it,’ I say, not wanting to be pinned down to a date. We’re only a month into the plan and I’d hate to do a big family meal before we felt ready. I’m also starting to feel a bit guilty about lying to Poppy about this whole thing, though I keep reminding myself it’s for the best, and it won’t last forever.
‘Speaking of The Royal Oak, did I tell you that Mum has found me a new client? She went there for dinner a while back, met the new owner, you know the rugby star?’
‘Mum did mention something.’
‘Turns out he’s looking for business advice so I’m doing some work for him.’
‘Nice,’ Poppy says before conversation turns to more pressing matters of the day. Like how Seth’s dad is conflictingly hot now that we’re watching The OC twenty-plus years on. We’re interrupted when my phone rings. It’s Joe on video call.
‘Everything okay?’ I ask, accepting the call before my face pops up on screen and I’m reminded that I look like a teenager from 2002.
‘Sophie?’ He peers at his phone. ‘You look … different. Very shiny.’
‘Hello, Joe!’ Poppy butts in, practically knocking me out of shot. ‘I’m Sophie’s sister Poppy. We’ve met a few times at school.’
‘Nice to see you again, Poppy.’ He squints at his phone and clears his throat. ‘Are you wearing any clothes, Soph?’
I realise it’s just collar bones in shot. ‘We’re doing makeovers,’ I explain. Joe’s eyebrow twitches in delight. I lean back to prove I am actually clothed. ‘Look, a scarf-top.’
‘She looks fit, right?’ Poppy says. ‘Still got it, my sister.’
‘Very fit,’ Joe agrees and as Poppy prods me in the ribs, out of shot, my cheeks go pink again. ‘Sorry to interrupt. I forgot to check earlier if you’re going to the parents meeting next week?’
Poppy jerks her head back in my direction, her heavily sprayed quiff nearly knocking me out. ‘What’s this now? I thought you thought the school parents were a like the cast of Mean Girls?’
‘I did, but Joe and I joined together and they’re less mean when he’s around. It’s a nice chance for me to get to know them better. Joe’s officially a Barnaby’s Babe,’ I tease.
‘Oh I love how you call your boyfriend a babe,’ Poppy says.
I go pink and Joe barks a laugh.
‘The least said about the Barnaby’s Babes the better,’ he growls. ‘So you’re coming, Soph?’
‘Of course!’
‘Great. Mum’s babysitting Sid and can take Lila too?’
