‘Hey,’ Callum says softly, dropping his bag and pulling me close again. He runs a soothing hand through my hair, murmurs sweet sounds into my ear. ‘It’s going to be okay,’ he whispers.
‘Is it? How can you be so sure? I just don’t want this day to end. Not like this. I … hate … that … buggy,’ I stutter through hiccupy sobs.
‘I know.’
‘What if we just stayed here forever? Camp up right by the baggage carousel and instigate squatters rights or something? Just me and you, standing still, forever.’
‘I don’t think that’s an option.’ He shakes his head sadly.
‘Why?’
‘Because I already tried it. This morning, when my alarm went off, I tried everything in my power not to get to the airport. I’d decided that if you weren’t even going to be there, then what was the point. But that’s when stuff started to get really weird. My taxi driver somehow got inside my block of flats and came to knock directly on my door, which I thought was a gross intrusion.’
‘You’ve been getting a cab to the airport each day?’ I sniff. ‘Bougie.’
‘That’s what you took from that?’ He smiles down at me.
‘Please continue.’
‘Then when I got to Heathrow, I turned and tried walking away from the airport, but angry-looking travellers with those luggage trolleys kept blocking my way. There must have been about six of them. It was so disturbing I turned and went right back into the airport.’
‘I experienced something similar,’ I say.
Callum nods. ‘I reckon we’ve got to do this. And today, we’re doing it together. That has to count for something.’
‘Okay,’ I say shakily, eyeing up the scene of our future death. ‘I’m going to think of all the things I’m looking forward to in the future. A shower. Sleeping in a bed. Eating things that don’t come in tiny plastic trays. Fresh vegetables. Another shower. Washing my hair. Apple-scented shampoo. A moisturizing mask. Swimming in the sea. Going for a run. Coconut water. Fresh air. The sun on my skin.’
I turn to Callum and see that he’s watching me intently.
‘How about you?’ I ask.
‘I’m going to think about you.’
Butterflies take flight at this, and I find myself smiling broadly in spite of the huge waves of fear and emotion crashing through me.
‘Are you ready?’ he asks, taking my hand.
‘As I’ll ever be.’
Side by side, we walk towards the exit.
TWENTY-FOUR
‘Nina? You can breathe now,’ Callum’s voice says nearby.
I open my eyes only to snap them shut again, blinded by the bright light.
‘Are we dead?’ I wince.
‘So dramatic, babes! The turbulence wasn’t that bad!’
I chance one eye open to see Clio standing next to me, hands on hips. Callum is next to her, scanning me for signs that I’m okay. I can hear Brody in the distance talking into his phone.
‘Yes, mate, we’re here. Just landed. Heading to my parents’ to get some sleep tonight. Engagement party’s on Saturday, cannot wait to see you there, mate. It’s going to be a ripper!’
His words stick in my mind like flies in a trap. They’re totally unfamiliar. I haven’t lived this conversation before. I haven’t seen Clio, either, telling me I’m being dramatic.
‘Nina? Do you need to sit down?’ asks Clio. ‘Cal, why’s she got her eyes shut?’
