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“Go for it.” Freddie backed up and lifted the strap of his messenger bag over his head. “I’m gonna help them pack up.”
“For you, Si.” Alex smiled and gave him his autographed book.
“Cheers! Won’t be long, Freds.” Simon flicked through Strangely Gifted and walked towards the stairs. Freddie watched him slowly disappear upwards, step by step.
“Si goes to a few cons and now look at him?” he whispered, doing nothing to help Alex and Lucy pack up. “Bandwagon-jumping git.”
Mark laughed and grabbed the bag containing his book and the last unsold copy. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Well, yeah, but he’s taking cosplay creation to an insane level. I’m talking designer sketches, expensive fabrics, freeze-framing Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, and Lairds over and over. Every single freakin’ detail has to be…” He pinched his fingers together. “…precise.”
“His twelfth Doctor costume for Halloween was incredible,” said Harry, scooping up the Sharpies. “The bespoke red lining in his jacket—looked like he stole it off Capaldi.”
“Before it was all Balenciaga this, Tom Ford that…now I get that, plus this.” Freddie shook his hair from his eyes. “I can’t escape into my fandoms because Si’s already there—and now he’s setting up a website to sell bespoke cosplay outfits. He says it will be a nice little earner.” He elbowed Mark. “He’s going to ask for the Lairds costume designer’s deets—to pick her brain.”
Mark buttoned up his coat, smiling at Alex. “Better hers than mine.”
“Ah, shaddup.” Lucy stood up and swatted at Freddie. “You love it.”
“Joke all you want, missy,” said Freddie. “He’s whipping something up for you. I’ve seen sketches. He’s thinking Daenerys Targaryen.”
Lucy’s eyes widened.
“Yeah, with dragons and everything.”
Alex shrugged on her coat and collected Mark’s Vespa helmets from under the table. “Lucy, is it okay that Robbie gets the last copy?”
“Sure! Our first international sale! That will teach Tom not to show up.”
“Where is Tom?” asked Mark.
“Naomi had a late audition…” Harry helped Lucy with her coat. “…and they’ve got Rex for the night. Tom’s looking after him—solo.”
“Ergh, I hope he packed away the sex toys.” Freddie cringed. “Rex might confuse a penis ring for a teething ring.”
Lucy burst out laughing, leading her friends to the stairs. “Freddie! He’s almost four! He’s done teething.”
“Whatever.” Freddie played with this camera. “So, what’s everyone doing now?”
“I have a presentation tomorrow.” Lucy held hands and shared a smile with her boyfriend. “Harry’s prepping with me tonight.”
Freddie smirked. “Prepping? I’ve never heard it called that before…” He followed Lucy and Harry up the stairs and glanced over his shoulder. “Keegs?”
“Lines to learn—pick-up scenes for Lairds next week. Sorry, Freds. Another time?”
“Sparkly Girl?” Freddie turned to Alex.
She shook her head. “I have edits…for this guy.” Hands full with Vespa helmets, she bumped Mark with her elbow.
“January can’t come soon enough.” Freddie smiled. “Shockwave is gonna be epic.”
“I hope so,” said Alex. “The Dorfman run is almost sold out.”
“It’s only the National. No pressure, then.” Harry chuckled.
“I think they’re coming for Mark, not my words.”
“Ahh, stop being so modest!” Mark kissed his girlfriend’s cheek as they continued up the stairs. A playful smile crept across his face. “Did Lex spill about Thirteen?”
