Page 40 of How To Not Need You

Page & Grounds after hours is never dull. Nor is the Rewrite Club time it seems.

The meeting officially starts the moment Harper places her notebook in the centre of the table. Not because anyone voted on it or called the room to order. Because apparently Harper putting down a notebook has the same effect as a judge banging a gavel.

Wren is already absorbed in what’s happening, sipping the triple flat white Luca made for her, occasionally glancing through the front window to where the rescue dogs wait. The easy warmth of the group settles over the room like a blanket. This is what we do. We show up. We eat. We talk. We turn whatever broken thing someone brought through the door into something that at least is more manageable.

Then the bell jingles again.

Luca immediately looks up. His face splits into a grin so wide I’m surprised his jaw doesn’t unhinge.

“There she is.”

I recognise the woman who steps through the door as she hesitates for just a moment. Late twenties, soft features, looking mildly terrified by the number of people staring at her. She scans the room, taking in the new and unfamiliar faces with the cautious curiosity of someone walking into a party they’re not entirely sure they were invited to.

Daniel's sister, Sophie. I haven’t seen her since her brother destroyed Elsie’s heart. I am wondering if I need to intervene, but as I debate what to do she spots Elsie, and she visibly relaxes.

Luca theatrically pulls out the empty chair beside him, arm extended like he’s welcoming royalty to the worst theatre production in history. “I figured anyone who has a brother as dense as yours deserved somewhere safe to drink coffee.”

Sophie laughs as she walks over. It’s a warm sound. “That feels like something I should be offended by.” She drops her handbag beside the chair.

“But honestly” She glances towards Elsie, and the look that passes between them carries years of understanding. “it’s definitely accurate.”

Before Sophie can even sit down, Elsie is already standing. She crosses the room without hesitation, and wraps her in a hug that says everything words would only complicate.

“It’s so good to see you,” Elsie says into Sophie’s shoulder.

“You too.” When they separate, Sophie’s smile is soft in a way that makes my chest ache.

“I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

Harper leans towards me, voice low enough that only I can hear it. “I swear Luca just keeps collecting people.”

“He absolutely does,” I reply whilst giving the man in question a heavy dose of side-eye.

Luca calls across the room without looking up from the coffee he’s pouring. “I heard that.”

Harper answers without missing a beat. “You were supposed to.”

Luca gives Sophie a coffee. Natalie extends her hand to introduce herself. Freya offers a gentle smile and the last cardamom scroll, which Sophie accepts with a quiet thank you.

Wren apologises in advance. “If Popcorn ever escapes the shelter, nobody take anything he says personally. He's got a vocabulary problem.”

By the time everyone has settled, Sophie looks less like someone who’s joined a group and more like someone who’s returned to one she didn’t realise she already belonged to.

Harper taps her pen against her notebook. Drawing all of our attention to her.

“So” She looks around the table. “Rebecca.” She glances towards Sophie and Wren.

"Before we start plotting, you two deserve the backstory."

Wren nods. "I was wondering who you were talking about.”

Harper gestures towards Natalie. "You want to explain?”

Natalie wraps both hands around her mug before speaking. "Matthew's been my best friend since we were kids." A small smile tugs at her lips. "I've been in love with him for years."

Sophie winces. "Did he know?"