‘Wait, but why did you think Bridget was coming to you about that?’
Then my mind finally clears. ‘Lina told me to be careful with her, but didn’t tell me why.’
‘Do you think she also knew what was going on between you and Carys?’
I think back to our conversation in the warehouse, when I thought Lina was trying to hint to me that she clocked me. ‘Yeah, now you say it. But I don’t think that was just it.’
I look at my phone. ‘Is it too early to call someone?’
‘I don’t think you have to worry about being rude on your wedding day,’ Warren says.
I open Instagram and see the little green circle that tells me she’s online, and in a rush of daring, I video call Lina.
‘Hey! Hello!’
‘Sorry it’s so early,’ I say. ‘I just needed to talk to you.’
‘No, don’t worry.’ She and Cobey crowd into frame and I realise they are in an airport.
‘Where are you two off to?’ Warren says, wriggling his seat closer.
‘Home to Scotland,’ Lina says. ‘We’re going to see my mum, and go to the registry office today.’
‘Wow, congratulations, guys!’ Warren and I chorus in delight.
‘We figured the show couldn’t get too angry with us if we got legally married and offered them an exclusive on-camera interview,’ Lina explains. ‘And, well, this is the man I am going to spend the rest of my life with.’
Cobey kisses her on the cheek. ‘Thanks for the bathroom assist. What did you want to ask?’
‘Lina,’ I say. ‘You told me to beware Bridget?’
Her face pales. ‘What’s she done?’
I explain.
‘Oh, that arsehole,’ she growls. ‘I’ll kill her.’
‘So, you also knew about Carys and I?’
‘Well, I knew she was having a gay panic over you, yeah. I’m familiar with the signs. Is she alright?’
I shake my head. ‘No. I’m scared for her.’
‘Well, don’t be. It’s time to play Bridget at her own game. Look, I can text you the evidence after we get off the call, but she’s a liar too.’
‘What do you mean?’ I say, my heart leaping with hope.
‘It’s a sham! She and Jackson were together on the outside before they came here. They faked it.’
‘Holy fuck,’ I gasp.
‘Oh shit,’ echoes Warren.
‘The whole act of finding their soulmate or whatever – they knew each other and applied together and went no contact for months. She got a little cocky and told me after her proposal, after having too much show wine. I thought I needed a bit of leverage, just in case she remembered I knew and tried to get back at me. I went through her phone at the dinner party when Jackson and Zack were kicking off. Air dropped myself some of their texts.’
I am agog. ‘Lina, you fucking genius.’
‘Not just an airhead yogi,’ she laughs, and I feel bad for pigeonholing her in my mind from the off.
