‘What?’
‘Jesus, it’s adorable. Whenever there’s a quiet moment, you startgently humming this tune. It’s the sweetest sound and it drives me crazy.’
‘Crazy?’
‘In a good way,’ he explains. ‘I’ve been going mad trying to figure out what song it is.’
‘Do I actually?’
‘Yes.’ He’s laughing too.
‘Please tell me it’s not “Mambo No. 5”.’
‘Definitely not. It’s something like this,’ he says, recreating the sound. I try not to get too distracted by the movement of his Adam’s apple.
‘It’s “Over and Over”!’ I instantly recognize it. ‘You know the Hot Chip song?’
I start singing the lyrics out loud, Callum watching me like he’s never seen anything cuter.
‘That’s notquitehow it goes,’ he counters.
‘Yes, it is! I should know, it’s been waking me up every day.’
He bites his lip. ‘I’m guessing you don’t play any instruments?’
‘Are you telling me I’m out of tune?!’
‘A little bit. No wonder I couldn’t figure out what it was.’
‘Well, that’s very rude. And no, I do not play any instruments. But I’ll have you know that a music teacher at my secondary school said I had “potential”.’
Callum appears delighted by this.
‘Although, now that I think about it, I’m sure that’s what teachers say to kids who aren’t naturals at something,’ I add, slightly crestfallen. ‘Do I seriously hum that “all the time” or are you exaggerating?’
‘All the time,’ he says confidently.
‘I guess it’s a subliminal thing. It’s been my morning alarm clock for years, now.’
Callum presses his finger to his lips.
‘A song called “Over and Over” is your alarm sound? Is that what’s been waking you up every Monday?’
‘Yes. Do you reckon I should change it?’
‘I mean, it can’t hurt.’ He grins at me.
‘Could passengers Callum Bang and Nina Moss please proceed to their departure gate immediately. Your flight to Singapore Changi Airport is now boarding. That’s passengers Bang and Moss, please proceed to departure gate.’
‘Crap,’ I mutter, hastily grabbing my bag. ‘How long did we spend kissing?’
‘Not long enough,’ grumbles Callum, holding out his hand. ‘Well then, Moss. It looks like we’ve got a flight to catch.’
The passengers all look the same, the flight attendants too, and yet there’s a distinctly different vibe as Callum and I board the flight. This time we’re the late ones and not one person is booing us.
Instinctively, Callum offers to help me put my bag in the overhead locker. I hand it to him and watch as Jennifer and Rachel lose their shit over how chivalrous he is.
‘Age before beauty,’ I say, gesturing for him to grab his seat first. ‘Actually, how old are you? We really do have a lot to learn this flight.’
