‘She’s just adjusting,’ I hear him say. ‘It’s been a long, long haul.’
‘Our taxi’s here, but we can wait, make sure she’s okay?’ Clio adds.
‘You go,’ Callum says. ‘Honestly, I’m here to look after her. Our taxi will be here any minute. Get some rest, and we’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.’
‘Maybe get her a stiff drink,’ suggests Clio.
‘Good idea.’ Callum laughs.
I’ve still got my eyes shut when I feel his arms wrap around me again.
‘You’re safe. I’ve got you.’
My heart is hammering.
‘Nina, we made it. Look, see for yourself.’
I finally pluck up the courage to open my eyes. See the dazzling blue sky above my head. A few tiny puffs of cloud skittering by. The breeze on my skin. The airport behind me. Callum by my side.
‘See?’ He’s smiling down at me, his whole face lit up. ‘We made it.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Well, we’re a good way into Tuesday, for a start.’
Tuesday never sounded so good.
‘Oh my God, Tuesday!’ I laugh. ‘I LOVE YOU, TUESDAY!’
‘Crazy bloody poms,’ mutters a passer-by.
‘It’s been a strange few days!’ I call cheerily after him. To be sure, I check my phone and see that we are indeed now experiencing a Tuesday. What with the time difference and the jetlag and also the whole looping madness, I’ve not managed to keep a good grip on what particular time it is meant to be in each time zone we’ve travelled through. But I sure as shit haven’t seen this date and time on my phone, ever. And now I know why. Because finally, Callum and I are stepping into the future.
Our future.
‘About that stiff drink …’ I look up at him.
‘Yes. But first …’ His eyes twinkle at me and my pupils immediately dilate.
‘Let’s go find our hotel.’
‘Are you threatening me with a good time, Moss?’
‘Can you handle it?’
As our taxi pulls up, Callum shoots me a broad smile. ‘I guess we’re about to find out.’
EPILOGUE
The sound of my blaring alarm pulls me unceremoniously from my sleep.
‘Over and over and over and over and over,’ sing Hot Chip.
My heart skitters up a notch as I try to assemble my thoughts.
I’m flying to Australia today, I just know it.
A calming hand settles on my shoulder, accompanied by a grumble.
