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“Well…I tried my best. It wasn’t always easy.”

“Or pretty.” Sunita faux-coughed into her hand. “Raisins!”

Wincing, Evie claimed the two remaining photo strips from the tray and handed one to her friend.

“But despite everything, you nailed it. Your mum will be ecstatic.”

“I’ll find out soon enough. They’re back in two weeks.” Traipsing past the lead actors snogging each other’s faces off, Evie elbowed Sunita and shared a smile. They veered toward the party’s soft play area where the production’s peedie extras, including Ava and Poppy, enjoyed clootie dumpling and ice cream.

“Just watch, she’ll go on holiday a lot more now,” said Sunita.

Evie laughed. “Yeah! With my luck, I’ve rebooted her pre-kids love of travel—”

“OH!” Sunita’s eyes popped wide. “Speaking of reboots, you must be thrilled about Dalston Grove coming back, eh?”

Evie’s train of thought derailed. “Dalston?” She slowed to a stop. “Where’d you hear that?”

“My mate at The Mail caught wind of it,” said Sunita. “Why? Hasn’t Nick told you?”

“No. He said his London meetings were film-related.”

“Maybe the reboot’s a movie? My friend did say Nick’s involved, though. Someone close to the showrunner confirmed it.”

Why’s he keeping secrets?

Evie rubbed her pinchy stomach. “I’m all for it if he wants to act again, but at least tell me. He used to tell me everything when we were younger, before—” Her gaze strayed beyond Sunita, catching Nick in his silky black shirt with the white polka dots bopping past a pocket of dancing extras that included Fiona. “He’s coming,” she whispered, straightening up and dropping her hand from her abdomen. “If we want a future together, we can’t be hiding things.”

Sunita nodded reassuringly as Nick danced around her, his palms full with two small paper boats piled high with beer-battered fish and chunky chips.

“I thought you both might like some appetizers.”

“Ooh, yes please!” Accepting Nick’s offer, Sunita dove into her tray and promptly munched a golden chip. “Mmm! Now to score one of those beer slushies.” She winked at Evie and set off. “See ya in a bit.”

Evie waved.

Nick waited a beat. “Why are you hanging back here by the kids’ party?”

“The music isn’t as loud. And you know…ice cream.”

Grinning, he held out the chips again. “Hungry?”

Yeah, for the truth. Troubled by Sunita’s news and the growing discomfort in her abdomen, Evie’s appetite had frittered away. “Not really, but that looks yummy.”

“So do you.” He leaned closer so little ears couldn’t hear. “Not kissing you right now is fucking killing me.” With a brief but lustful stare, he popped a chip in his mouth then straightened up, resuming their ‘we’re only work colleagues’ ruse. “I can’t wait for tomorrow when everything’s done and dusted. We should take a wee holiday, get away…just you and me?”

“Maybe.” Evie licked her lips. “Nick, can I ask you something?”

He nodded mid-chew.

“Your meetings in London, were they about a Dalston reboot?”

Swallowing quickly, he laughed. “Wow. Where’d you hear that?”

“Sunita. A friend at The Mail told her.”

His light-hearted smile faltered, giving way to a terse exhale. “Of course. The bloody Mail.” A server strolled past, and Nick discarded his barely touched fish ’n’ chips on her empty tray.

“So it’s true then?”