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“Come on, spill it. What the fuck have I missed? You’re not yourself, and I want to know why.”

“I had a bad experience.” Her voice is low, and I’m grateful for our proximity so I can hear her. “I thought I’d try the unicorn thing like Pixie… Abby.”

“Okay, what happened?” I lay a hand on her knee in a show of support. There’s a sour taste in my mouth as worry gnaws at me. She’s been hurt, and I want to work out how I can fix it.

“I turned up, and the guy was really nice. He was friendly, and I thought it was going to be a fun night. But then his wife camein, and something felt a bit off. I thought it was just nerves, you know?” I nod, giving her space to continue. “The three of us started messing around, just kissing and touching and stuff, but she seemed really distant. Her husband suggested we play a game of strip poker to get more comfortable with each other. You know I’m rubbish at poker, don’t you?” I dip my head in agreement. “It turns out they play it all the time, and they were both really good. A couple of rounds in, I’m down to my undies, and they’re both fully clothed. I didn’t really think much of it, but it got more awkward. The wife was staring at me. And then she said she couldn’t do this anymore.”

“Do what?” I ask.

“She said that she couldn’t pretend to be attracted to a fat girl, and that there was no point carrying on. She got up and walked away.”

My hand tightens on her knee as I wince. “Shit, Saff.”

“The husband seemed really apologetic about it all. I really thought he was nice. But then he kinda grabbed me and suggested we should still do stuff even though the wife wasn’t going to participate. I said I wasn’t in the mood anymore and he got really shitty with me. Said he was only doing it to make me feel better because he felt sorry for me.”

“You’re fucking kidding me.” I stand up, fury coursing through my veins. “Who was it? Where do they live?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Saff stares up at me with tears welling.

“It does fucking matter. The pair of them need to answer for this. It’s despicable.” I blow out a breath of pure frustration, wondering what I can do to fix this. “Did you get out safely?”

She nods. “Yeah, I chucked my clothes on and left. Blocked them on the app I used for the hook-up. It just really knocked my confidence, you know.”

I take a calming breath, realising that my anger isn’t helping her feel any better. I settle back down beside her, wrappingmy arm around her shoulders. “Saff, you’re fucking amazing. Please don’t believe shitty, judgemental people like that. You’re stunning, and you deserve so much better than that.”

She draws in a shaky sob. “I’ve not really met up with anyone else since then. Just threw myself into work. But then, I decided a change of scenery might help, so I gave you a call.”

“And I’m so glad you did. When did it happen?” I ask.

“Not long after you left.”

“What do you need? What would make you feel better?”

“I just wanna have a nice weekend, explore a bit. I brought some of my equipment with me, and thought maybe I could shoot some photos of the building for you. And then come back again in a month or two and do some more.”

“That would be amazing. I’d love that.” I pause for a moment, trying to work out if I should ask or not. “Do you want to play with Abby and me while you’re here?”

Her head leans against my chest, and her hand comes up to pat my pec. “Maybe. Can I think about it? Maybe being with people that I know don’t judge me might help, but I’m not sure.”

“Of course, we can play it by ear. Whatever you’re ready for.”

Chapter twenty-one

Abby

My alarm wakes me the next morning. I roll over to switch it off before it wakes my bedfellow. Although she sleeps like the dead, and she had a later night than I did, so she probably won’t be conscious any time soon. I shuffle out of bed and over to the tiny bathroom that’s the second room in my bedsit.

I really could use more sleep. I hadn’t got in until 2 am myself, and I’d just been drifting off when my mother tried to wake the whole building by banging on the door.

“Where’s your key?” I’d hissed at her as I opened it.

“Dunno.” A shrug was all I got back before she slammed her way into the bathroom.

She huffed around for ages, and I knew there was no point trying to get any sense out of her, so I didn’t try. But it had been a while until I’d got to sleep.

I brush my teeth and towel dry my hair after a quick shower. And then creep back out to pull on some jeans and a t-shirt. Ilook around at my usually organised flat in dismay. My mother really is like a hurricane when she decides to blow through. I just hope it won’t be for long this time.

I’m surprised she’s not asked for a loan yet, having been here four days already. She must really need somewhere to stay. Or need a lot of money and is working her way up to asking me. I shake my head as she snores in my bed, splayed out like a starfish in the middle.