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My lips curled up apologetically "I know Sorry"

"It’s okay I’h he’d heard his name, Ellie’s cell lit up and his name flashed across the screen She answered it immediately, but without her usual cheer Seems my dead family was a ed to convince o out with them I stared down at Ellie and Braden’s friends in a dress I’d borrowed from her wardrobe They were seated on sofas around a low coffee table in a bar on George IV Bridge Braden had called two hours ago asking us to o Ellie had taken forever to get ready, and as she shot Adaan to understand why

"Everyone, this is my new flatmate Jocelyn" She turned to otten the run down in the cab down here Jenna, the cute blonde with the quirky glasses and dia was Ellie’s best friend and fellow PhD student Ed, the short blonde guy who eeky stylish, was Jenna’s fiancé

"And you’ve met Adam and Braden" Her s pressed up against Braden She had pale, al liirlfriend"

I remembered instantly that Ellie didn’t like her Fro was aze and ignoring the waynear hiirlfriend

No as I going to feel despondent about the fact that she re down next to Jenna as Ellie rushed off to get us drinks, I tried to look anywhere but at the couple toin then, Jocelyn?" Adaave him a wide smile "Good, thanks And it’s Joss"

"So you and Ellie are rubbing along well then?"

So in his voice told me it wasn’t a casual question He orried about ht be reciprocated "We’re getting along areat person"

My ansent over ith hi a book?"

"Oh lish accent I hated that her accent was so cool "Did I tell you, babe, that ot published?"

Braden shook his head, his eyes darting toto be fascinated by Holly’s news of this mysterious Cheri person

"Cheri is my best friend from home," Holly explained to the table just as Ellie came back with the drinks I shimmied over to let her in beside me "She writes the best books"

"What are they about?" Ed asked politely I glanced at Jenna and saw she and Ellie were exchanging ‘a look’ I was getting that Holly was not at all well-liked a They’re about this girl frouy who’s a businesslish title… like an earl or so She’s just a

"So it’s an historical novel?" Ed asked

"No" She shook her head in be not to s as a poorhouse anymore Are you sure it’s not an historical?"

"Well, Cheri didn’t say it was"

"Then I’enially Ellie’s shoulders shook next to uised sarcasm in his reply I tried to look anywhere but at Braden

"Jenna, when’s your first dress-fitting again?" Ellie asked, peering around es I’ve been banned fro into her wardrobe to stare at it"

"Oh?" I asked, trying to be friendly "When’s the wedding?"

"Five uy asn’t afraid to sho he really felt It was disar atit back down under allsound beside -"

"Oh, babe," Holly interrupted again "Did I tell you about Lisa getting married in October? I told her it was a dreadful tietHave you ever heard anything like it? Anyway, it’s some drafty castle in soe accommodation"

"Barcaldine Castle" Braden nodded "It’s a nice wee place"