‘No, she wouldn’t. She keeps the obsession quiet. You won’t mention it to her, will you?’
‘No. Floppy could do with a strong female figure in her life. I’ll definitely pull Mimi for a chat. She’ll love hearing about the time Floppy got stuck in the blinds.’
‘She definitely will. Oh, and one more thing. Can you let Winston know that Amber is totally ready to make a commitment? Porscha asked me to tell him, but I forgot. He needs to pick her at the recoupling tonight.’
‘Sure thing. And should we choose each other?’ he asks politely.
‘I really think you and Mimi are a match made in heaven. You’ve got the same puppy vibe going on. Choose her.’
And the first of many seeds is sown.
Once we arrive, the crew get out and film us entering the villa not holding hands. I walk straight to the Beach Hut to deliver my pre-arranged speech that Cam wrote, before heading over to the outdoor kitchen to hang out with the girls who are huddled around the bar. It doesn’t take me long to slot right back into where I left off, except for pretending I’ve already met the new girls, and pretending not to know that Porscha has given both Amber and Mimi conflicting instructions. I’m enjoying reconnecting with them. My little escape has reinvigorated me. I’m ready to have some fun playing Porscha at her own game. It’s time to fight back against the bullies.
‘Bubbles?’ I ask the girls as I stand behind the kitchen bench busying myself with fake prosecco bottles and when I bend over to get some glasses, I sneakily reach down to my microphone pack and switch it off.
‘So, you really didn’t connect with Eugene, babes?’ asks Mimi in her silky voice.
‘No. Mainly because he is vibing off someone else in here. Vibing big time.’ I give her the eye.
Mimi looks interested. ‘Who me? He likes me?’
‘One hundred percent.’
‘Hey, Amber, Eugene told me that Winston told all the guys that he is ready to make a commitment and settle down with you. I guess you two have really hit it off. I knew you would.’
Amber looks surprised. ‘Really? Oh, okay then. I guess that changes things.’
‘Things were discussed,’ I say, trying to hint that we have a new set of instructions. ‘Ahead of tonight’s recoupling.’ I mouth the word ‘Porscha’ as I hand them a glass each.
Amber and Mimi are getting my drift and raise their eyebrows subtly to let me know they know that I know.
Job almost done. One more person to tackle. Right on cue, my phone pings.
‘Meet me in the PANTRY. NOW!’
I put the phone back in my pocket and switch my mic back on.
‘Is that a text?’ Amber asks.
‘Probably just confirming my top three picks before the firepit. Back soon.’
I make my way to the PANTRY just in time to see Porscha slide out from behind the secret door. She looks furious.
‘Your mic pack. Give it here! Have you fiddled with it?’
‘No,’ I say, handing it over. It’s all I can do not to smirk. ‘You look tired,’ I say. ‘Is everything okay?’
Her beady eyes bore holes into mine.
‘I guess it must be exhausting being on call 24/7. It’s bound to have an effect on your skin and hair.’
Porscha self-consciously pats her hair. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Anyway. Eugene is picking you tonight.’ She stands back expecting me to argue.
‘Fine. We really like each other. I think we can go all the way to win this. The public seem to adore me, and Eugene is your typical squeaky clean boy-next-door. We make the perfect couple. Besides, I am really into his vibe now. He’s going to steal a kiss from me later round the firepit in front of Destiny. What do you think?’
Porscha is looking stunned. ‘But I thought you hated… anyway. Whatever.’ I can see her mind whirring. She is despising this new development. ‘At least it will stop you obsessing over Cameron. He’s way out of your league.’
I pretend to look confused. ‘Honestly, there’s nothing going on there. He told me he was in a relationship anyway, so there’s no point fancying him.’
