‘I could get used to being carried around,’ I announce as he sets me down next to Clio and a drunk Brody.
‘We would certainly arrive at places quicker,’ Callum replies.
‘You two are adorable,’ Clio announces. ‘The last time Brody tried to pick me up he injured his neck.’
‘It’s because you’re so hench, babe,’ Brody calls up, eyes glued to his phone.
‘I’m surprised you noticed.’ Clio tuts, looking pointedly at Brody as his stares at his mobile. ‘My darling fiancé has spent at least half of the journey so far watching some bloke surfing on YouTube.’
‘The Scottish Surfer.’ Brody’s eyes light up. ‘Have you seen him? Mad skills.’
He holds his phone up and we all lean in to see a man perform tricks on his surfboard. I stare at his sandy hair and solid build as he cuts through the waves, recognition igniting. He’s far out on the water but something about the way he moves is so familiar to me. Hamish.
‘Dude’s impressive. He gets hundreds of thousands of likes every time he posts. Look,’ he says, scrolling to show us the stats under Hamish’s latest video. I feel a sense of pride swell up in me. I know that Hamish was, in reality, a bit of an idiot, but then he was only a kid when we met. And it’s not like I’ve covered myself in glory these past few days, either. So I have to say, I feel nothing but happy for him now as I watch this little slice of the life he is living. Looks like he took my advice, and I’m chuffed that he’s making a success of things.
‘Good for Hamish,’ I say softly.
‘You know him?’ Brody hiccups.
‘An old friend from way back when.’
‘Could you get me an intro?’ asks Brody.
‘I’m going to say no. Sorry, Brody, but he’s from my past and I am very much focusing on my future right now,’ I say, furtive glance in Callum’s direction.
‘No worries,’ Brody replies. ‘Should we get married on surfboards, Clio? Do you think we can do that? We could have the wedding on the ocean.’
‘You’re drunk,’ says Clio.
‘I have my best ideas when I’m drunk,’ Brody replies, a dog with a bone.
Oh heck. A wedding on the ocean? I look to Clio, who rolls her eyes good-naturedly at her partner.
‘Matching white surf suits, maybe?’ Brody’s eyes are sparkling.
‘I do love that,’ Clio says. ‘What do you reckon, Nina? Is it doable?’
‘Nina can make anything happen,’ Callum says. ‘That’s why she’s the best in the business.’
I give him an incredulous look, to say thanks for the compliment and also cheers for signing me up to planning this massive task. He just beams back at me and I know, deep in my bones, that Callum Bang will always be trouble.
‘Right, absolutely,’ I rally. ‘A wedding on the waves. I’ll get on it as soon as we land.’
‘Maybe not as soon as we land,’ Callum interjects, eyes twinkling suggestively at me.
‘Oh yeah,’ Clio chips in. ‘Tonight’s dinner, can you both come too?’
Callum pulls up his phone calendar. ‘There’s been a change of plan. I’ve moved dinner with the family to tomorrow night because Brody’s brother isn’t getting into town until then, and I know you wanted all the family to be there for it.’
I stare at Callum, surprised by this update.
‘Good thinking, man, we can’t party without Jordy,’ yawns Brody, phone now abandoned as he struggles with the opening of his snack. ‘Plus we’ll be knackered tonight, Clio. Let’s just get home and get some sleep.’
‘Fine by me,’ says Clio as they’re called to board. She turns back to us with a wave. ‘See you both in Perth!’
‘See you there,’ I reply, turning to Callum. ‘You didn’t fancy the dinner tonight?’
‘Wanted to leave it clear.’ He looks at me. ‘Just in case.’
