As per Eddie’s request, the guest list is mainly people under thirty-five. Not only do they make up the largest share of the online dating audience but they’re also more active on social media. However, after our little speed dating encounter, he’s also aware that those with a little more mileage need love too, as well as those who want a partner with a tad more life experience.
I spot Eesha pointing out the app’s QR code to a captivated group of men in their twenties, who without doubt understand the mechanisms of a QR code. She’s absolutely killing it. While Junior Events Coordinator (and part-time receptionist) was the only promotion Rupert would agree to, a few more events and she’ll be in a better position to negotiate a more substantial role.
I squeeze past the crowd, doing my best to avoid walking directly in front of those who are live streaming, or taking photos. It’s hectic. We’re only one hour into the launch and I’m already considering breaking my ‘no more than one glass of wine at a work event’ rule. Unsurprisingly Shelley and Rupert have also rocked up, dressed to the nines and not a genuine smile between them.
I wave over at Eva Anderson, last-minute helper and Kieran’s nineteen-year-old sister. She’s been hired to schmooze and booze. Pass out T-shirts and hats. Get people talking, signing up and blasting it all over social media #flirtfirst. She waves back and bounds over.
‘Is Kieran not here?’ I ask, spotting some wall art that’s two seconds away from dropping off. ‘I haven’t seen him yet.’
‘He’s here,’ she replies. ‘He went to meet Charlotte off the tube.’
Her eyes and nose look exactly like Kieran’s. If I glued a beard onto her, they’d look like twins.
‘Great,’ I say. ‘If you see him first, let him know I’m looking for him.’
‘Will do.’
‘Oh, and can you also get someone to reattach that poster? It’s about to land on that guy’s head.’
Twenty minutes later, Anwar Khan performs three songs. His audition piece, ‘Crazy’ by Gnarls Barkley (‘Anwar, you made that song your own’– Simon Cowell, 2022), his upcoming single, ‘Feel’, and finally crowd-pleaser ‘Body’ by Loud Luxury. Afterwards, people remain on the dance floor. Always a good sign that your party doesn’t suck.
As I start to automatically bop along, I feel a hand on my shoulder. It’s a flush-faced Kieran. Outside of work, he rarely looks any different than he does inside. Tonight, however, he’s wearing a shirt that has actually been ironed.
‘How many pints have you had?’ I ask him. ‘You’ve got quite the glow on you.’
‘Two actually, but I ran back from the tube. It’s freezing outside. It’s called blood flow.’
‘Is Charlotte defrosting somewhere?’ I ask, looking around for her. She’s only five foot one, I may have to climb on a chair.
‘Nah,’ he replies, ‘she’s at a hen weekend in Barcelona.’
‘But Eva said you were just meeting her at the tube.’
Kieran clears his throat. ‘So. . . I should probably let you know something,’ he begins. ‘And don’t get mad.’
‘Why would I get mad?’
‘Because I might have overstepped the mark, but just know it came from a place of love.’
My eyes narrow. A place of love? ‘Kieran, what did you do?’
I hear Eesha behind me, her soft voice struggling over the music as she tries to get my attention.
‘So yesterday, I might have taken a call for you,’ Kieran mutters sheepishly.
‘You’re allowed to answer the phone.’
‘And this caller was very keen to get in touch with you.’
‘Sophie,’ Eesha yells. ‘There’s a guy at the entrance for you.’
‘Can you deal with it?’ I ask. ‘It’s probably press.’
She shakes her head. ‘He’s not press. He says he knows you. He’s not on the guest list, he just wanted to say hi.’
‘Did he give you a name?’ I ask, trying to deal with two conversations at once while a Charli XCX track blares in the background.
‘Ellis!’ Eesha yells as she goes back towards the photobooth area. ‘Ellis something.’
