‘Of course.’ Callum nods. ‘I’ve numbered them. The first one, where you had a meltdown because there was no 31B and then told me you’d come dressed for my funeral, I’m calling real-time Monday.’
I clear my throat. ‘Sorry about that?’
He smirks. ‘I’m not. The more ruffled you get, the cuter you are.’
I cross my arms. ‘Do you want another falling out?’
He holds his hands up in surrender.
‘If it helps, you’re also extremely cute when you’re happy.’
‘Yes, I am,’ I pout. ‘Now please continue.’
‘Right, so after real-time Monday where we weren’t looping, I had Monday Two. The first loop but the second Monday, if that makes sense?’
‘That’s the exact same system as mine,’ I say, looking at him approvingly.
‘So much in common, Nina.’
‘Who’d have thought it?’
‘So right now we’re in …’ he says.
‘Monday Eight,’ we both say at the same time.
‘And by “recreating Monday Five”, you’re talking about the time you got us both into trouble by drinking smuggled champagne out in the foyer.’
‘I did do that,’ I say, eyes twinkling at the memories. Sitting next to Callum is like being seated next to a powerful magnet, every single fibre of my being is crashing up against the side ofme, trying to get as close to him as possible. It’s dizzying and memories of how he made me feel that day are not helping.
‘Hot towel?’ offers a member of the cabin crew.
I gratefully accept, pressing it against my wrists and neck.
Callum watches me. Swallows hard.
‘Nina, I …’ He trails off. It is now crystal clear that Callum and I are going to have to get naked as soon as physically possible. I cannot cope with this sexual tension much longer. My body feels like it could pop. But when? Where?
‘What if we don’t get out of here?’ I whisper. What if even the layover isn’t an option? Not that I’ve got a one-track mind or anything. ‘I got electrocuted at Singapore airport yesterday while wearing a T-shirt that read “Eric can kiss my ass”,’ I add, dismayed.
Callum presses his lips together.
‘You’re trying not to laugh!’
‘I’m sorry,’ he says. ‘That does sound painful.’
‘It actually made a nice change from death by luggage buggy.’ I grin as my food arrives.
‘Can we please discuss how ridiculous that is?’ Callum says, pulling the lid off his main meal.
‘At least we’re finding the funny side of it all.’
‘I think we have to. I’ve had days where I’ve felt so confused by everything that it’s made me really grumpy.’
‘That explains a lot,’ I tease.
‘Says the woman who turned up to Monday Five wearing love-heart trousers and a Fontaines DC T-shirt – one of my favourite bands by the way.’
‘Same,’ I say. ‘And I stand by my sartorial choices. I was getting so fed up of wearing the same thing day after day.’
