‘Do you have that effect on people a lot, Moss?’
I let out a loud humph. ‘You’re impossible.’
Callum takes a long, deep breath. ‘Okay, I’m sorry,’ he says after a while. ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’
‘Really? Seems to me that upsetting me is one of your great missions in life.’
‘I could say the same for you.’
‘God forbid we actually make our way through a conversation like two civilized human beings.’
Callum pauses, turning his piercing gaze directly on me.
‘Is that why you’ve been on edge all flight? Because of him?’ He says this almost tenderly, and I have the strangest sensation of being briefly wrapped up in a hug. Callum is scanning my face for clues.
‘I … I … have I been on edge?’ I stutter.
The intensity of his gaze strengthens as he nods.
‘I guess I have felt a bit discombobulated. What with you and my ex turning up in the space of a few hours.’
‘Where is he?’ Callum asks, his voice low.
‘You really want to know?’
‘Right now, Nina, I’m all you’ve got.’
‘What a thought,’ I say, unable to keep the smile out of my voice. ‘He’s in economy.’
‘I hear there’s much more of a sense of community back there,’ Callum beams, delivering anotherBridesmaidsquote that makes me choke out a laugh. ‘Not to take the focus off Humphrey—’
‘Hamish,’ I correct.
‘Sounds like a silly name to me.’
‘People in glass houses.’
Callum looks at me in surprise.
‘Oh come on!’ I say with a smile. ‘CallumBang?! I don’t think you get to critique other people’s names.’
‘Offending all of my Danish forebears now, are we? That’s impressive, even for you.’
I try to look suitably chastised but I cannot.
‘You were going to say something,’ I point out.
‘You mean before you were rude about my heritage?’
‘Not rude! Just, er, lightly mocking.’
‘Oh, well that’s okay then. I was going to suggest that we play a game to pass the time. Doesn’t look like either of us is getting any sleep any time soon and your one-that-got-away story made Jennifer run off to the toilet.’
I weigh this up.
‘Unless, of course, you have another pressing engagement?’ he pushes.
‘Bloody hell, patience isn’t a virtue for you, is it?’
