I groan. ‘Everyone’s going to be asking me where Rich is, and I can’t face having to tell them.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that. Mum’s already posted your break-up on Facebook.’
I stare at him. ‘Please tell me you’re joking.’
‘The Greek Gossip Grapevine couldn’t sit on a story likethat.’
In panic, I grab my phone. Mum is obsessed with Facebook and ‘The 3G’ is what we call her page (500 friends and counting). A couple of quick clicks reassure me that I’m safe – for now.
‘Thanks for the heart attack.’
‘After tonight, she’ll plaster her feed with pics of Tig and Theo, and you’ll be old news.’
‘As much as I appreciate our sister thoughtfully pushing my misery off the front page, isn’t anyone else weirded out they’reengaged? They’ve only known each other for five minutes. What if he turns out to be some sort of creep?’
‘You’ve met him enough times to know he wouldn’t hurt a fly.’
‘Appearances can be deceptive. As I’ve just found out.’
Yan takes a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry about what you’re going through, but don’t let that colour things. Tig has to make her own mistakes.’
‘I can’t sit back and watch her get hurt.’
‘Hopefully you won’t. But you might have to, and that’s okay. Besides, when has anyone ever been able to change Tig’s mind?’
‘But she’s so young.’
‘If it helps, Mark Marino vouches for him. They did medicine together in Leeds.’
Mark’s name makes me flinch, but I keep my face neutral. ‘I didn’t know you were still in touch with him.’
I wait for him to tell me he’s not, but he’s distracted by an old bottle of Shalimar on my dressing table.
‘Ooh, I love this perfume. You can’t beat the classics.’
‘Be careful,’ I say, as he reaches for it. ‘The glass is—’
Yan drops the bottle with a yelp.
‘… broken,’ I finish.
‘Shit,’ he mutters, rubbing his thumb.
‘Did you cut yourself?’
‘No, I’m okay.’ His phone pings and when he checks it, he frowns.
‘Don’t tell me, your Grindr date has cancelled?’
‘Dates are for straights, darling.’
The doorbell chimes.
‘Oh shit, it’s started.’ I groan and pull the duvet over my head.
He peels back the covers and tries to drag me to my feet. ‘Come on, we can go down together.’
‘No way. I need time to get ready. I need to put make-up on and find something flattering to wear. Not all of us are as naturally fabulous as you.’
