And maybe I should coach Elinor. Because if she arrives and gives Luke that icy look and says, ‘You need a haircut,’ then we might as well not bother.

I consider for a moment, then type a reply:

Dear Elinor, I will be glad to meet you later today. Perhaps we could have tea together before seeing Luke in the evening. Shall we say 3 p.m.?

I’ve sent it before I realize that I have no idea where to have tea in LA. In London it’s easy. You can’t move for teapots and silver tiered plate stands and scones with cream slathered on them. But in LA?

I think for a second then text Aran:

Do you know the best place to have afternoon tea in LA?

Immediately his reply pings back:

Sure. The Purple Tea Room. Latest place. Always booked up. Shall I get you a reservation?

After a few more texts it’s all set up. I’m meeting Elinor at 3 p.m. and we’ll talk everything through. And then she’ll come here to see Luke at 7 p.m., and I guess we’ll take it from there.

The trouble with Luke is, he’s so stubborn. He’s decided he hates his mother and that’s it. But if he only knew. If he’d only give her a chance. Elinor may have done all kinds of terrible things when he was growing up, but while we were planning his birthday party I saw how much she regrets it. I saw how much she wants to make amends. I even saw how much she loves him, in her own chilly, Vulcan weirdo way. And the thing is, she won’t live for ever, will she? Does Luke really want to be estranged from his own flesh and blood?

As I’m gazing through the kitchen window, Suze’s car turns into the drive, and I watch her park carefully under a tree. Thank God. Suze will help me. I haven’t seen Suze properly for ages, I realize. I’ve missed her. What’s she been up to? Where was she last night?

I’m about to yell ‘Suze!’ out of the kitchen window when, to my surprise, the front passenger door opens and two long legs in capri leggings emerge, followed by a sinewy body and unmistakable blonde hair.

I stare, discomfited. It’s Alicia. What’s Suze doing with Alicia?

Suze is just in jeans and a black top, but as usual, Alicia is wearing an amazing yoga outfit. There are slits in the side of her orange top and I can see her tanned, lean torso. Urgh. She’s such a show-off. The two are talking earnestly. Then to my horror, Suze leans forward and gives Alicia a big hug. Alicia is patting her back and seems to be talking soothingly. I feel outraged at the sight. In fact, I almost feel sick. Suze and Alicia Bitch Long-legs? Hugging each other? How can she?

Suze turns and heads towards the house, and a moment later I hear her key in the lock.

‘Suze!’ I call, and I hear her turn her footsteps towards the kitchen.

‘Oh, hi.’ She stands in the doorway, but doesn’t rush up or smile, or anything normal. She looks strained. She’s clutching on to the door frame and I can see the tendons in her hand standing out.

‘How was the TV?’ she says, as though she really couldn’t care less. ‘Are you even more famous now?’

‘It was fine. Suze, where on earth have you been? Were you out last night with Alicia?’

‘Yes I was – but why do you care?’ she says, with a taut little smile. ‘If you’re lonely, why not hang out with Sage? Or you must have some celebrity event you should be at, surely?’

‘Don’t be like that!’ I say, feeling hurt. ‘I need you. Guess what’s happened. Elinor’s arrived, and I’ve got to stage my intervention, and I’m not nearly ready, and—’

‘Bex, I really don’t care.’ Suze cuts me off roughly. ‘I have other things to worry about. In fact, I’m just here to pick up a couple of things and then I have to go.’ She turns on her heel and I hurry after her.

‘Where are you going?’ I demand, following her up the stairs.

‘To Golden Peace.’

‘Is that why you’re with Alicia?’ I try not to let myself sound resentful, but I can’t help it. ‘I saw you with her. I saw her hugging you.’

‘I expect you did.’

‘You were hugging Alicia Bitch Long-legs? On purpose?’

‘That’s right.’ Again, Suze couldn’t sound less interested. She grabs a jacket and puts it in her tote bag, followed by a set of notes that look like they’re in Tarquin’s handwriting. ‘OK, I’m off.’ She pushes past me and strides out of the room.

I stare after her, mortified. She’s behaving as though I don’t exist. What’s wrong?

‘Suze!’ I run down the stairs behind her. ‘Listen. What time will you be back? Because I’d really like to talk. Things haven’t been great with Luke, and now Elinor’s here, and it’s going to be really tricky, and I’m just feeling a bit—’

‘Things haven’t been great with Luke?’ She wheels round, her blue eyes suddenly blazing with anger, and I take a step back in alarm. ‘You know what, Bex? Things haven’t been great with Tarquin, either! But you weren’t interested in that, were you? So why should I be interested in your stupid problems?’

For a moment I’m too shocked to reply. She looks livid. In fact, she looks in a terrible state. Her eyes are bloodshot, I now notice. Has something happened that I don’t know about?

‘What are you talking about?’ I say anxiously.

‘I’m talking about the fact that he’s been taken away from me by that evil man,’ she says, trembling. ‘I’m talking about the fact that he’s been brainwashed.’

She’s not still on about that, is she?

‘Suze,’ I say as patiently as I can. ‘Bryce’s not evil—’

‘You don’t get it, Bex!’ Suze explodes. ‘They’ve fired him!’

‘What?’ I gape at her.

‘The wellbeing committee think he’s introduced unhealthy practices into Golden Peace. They’re really worried. They want Tarkie to come into Golden Peace and tell them what’s been going on in all those one-to-one sessions. I’m going to see an expert on cults today. He’s going to advise me. I’m on my way there right now with Alicia. She’s been totally supportive and brilliant,’ she adds tremulously. ‘In fact, it was Alicia who alerted her husband and pushed for Bryce to get fired.’

I’m speechless with shock. My head’s spinning with all this new information. Bryce fired? Alicia brilliant? Tarquin brainwashed?

‘Suze,’ I falter at last. ‘Suze, I had no idea—’

‘Of course you didn’t,’ she says with an edge which makes me flinch. ‘You were too busy choosing clutch bags.’

‘That was for work,’ I say defensively. ‘It wasn’t fun!’

‘Oh, yes, work. I forgot.’ She sounds even more scathing. ‘Your super new career which we all have to tiptoe around because you’re famous. Well, I hope you’re enjoying your dream, Becky. I’ll just get on with sorting out my nightmare.’ She reaches for her car keys, her hands shaking.

‘Suze!’ I say in horror. ‘Wait! Look, let’s have a cup of tea …’

‘It’s beyond a cup of tea!’ she almost shrieks. ‘Don’t you get that? No, of course you don’t. Luckily I had Alicia. She’s been amazing. So helpful and so kind …’ Suze’s voice gives a sudden wobble. ‘I knew something was wrong, I knew it …’

I gaze at Suze, stricken. I’ve never felt so bad in all my life. This is all my fault. I introduced Tarquin to Golden Peace, I didn’t listen when Suze was worried …

‘I’m so sorry …’ I swallow. ‘I didn’t realize … Suze, whatever I can do to help I’ll do …’ I move forward to give her a hug, but she bats me off.

‘I have to go. Alicia’s waiting.’

‘Where’s Tarkie?’

‘I don’t know. With Bryce, I should think. Being told a load of vile rubbish.’ She opens the front door but I jam a foot across it.

‘Suze, please,’ I say desperately. ‘Tell me. What can I do?’

Suze surveys me silently, and for one hopeful moment I think she’s going to relent and treat me like her oldest, best friend again. But then, with a weary sigh, she shakes her head.

‘No, Bex. You deal with your problems. I’ll deal with mine.’

She’s gone. I peep through the little side window, staying out of sight. I can see her hurrying to the car. I can see her face relaxing as she calls something to Alicia. My throat is tight and there’s a hotness in my chest.

The car moves off down the drive and I press my head against the window, breathing a cloud on to the glass. What’s happening to my life? Ever since that awards evening when everything kicked off, I’ve felt like I’m living in a kaleidoscope. It’s whizzing around, making different patterns every moment, and as soon I get used to one, it shifts again. Why can’t things stay the same for just one second?

The electric gates are slowly shutting. The car’s gone. My heart feels full to bursting, except I’m not sure what it’s most full of: stress about Luke, worry for Tarkie, longing for Suze to come back, or hatred for Alicia. Because I don’t care what Suze says – I don’t believe Alicia’s changed. She plays games. If she’s being nice and supportive to Suze now, it’s only because she wants to damage her in some way later. She’s got some poisonous plan up her sleeve, I know it. And Suze trusts her more than me … Suze likes her more than me …

Tears are welling up in my eyes and one suddenly trickles down my nose. Another is following it as my phone rings, and I hastily wipe them both away as I answer.

‘Aran! Hi! How are you?’

‘Hey, babe,’ comes his easy voice. ‘I hear you’re styling Sage for the Big Top premiere. Congratulations, that’s pretty big!’

‘Thanks!’ I try to sound as bright as I can. ‘I’m so excited!’

‘Did you tell Luke? Is he psyched?’

‘Kind of,’ I say after a pause.

Not only is he not psyched, I want to say miserably, he isn’t even a tiny bit proud. He thinks I should fire the bodyguards. He won’t eat grain soup. He doesn’t want to be an A-lister. I mean, if you don’t want to be an A-lister, why come to Hollywood in the first place?