‘The last time I saw you,’ I say fondly, like a mad aunt greeting a long-lost relative, ‘you were, wait, let’s think … That’s right, you were giving Arsey Alan a look.’
Mel looks at me with wide eyes.
‘How do you know my name?’ she asks.
‘It’s a real long story, Mel,’ I sigh. ‘Just think of me as your fairy godmother.’
Mel takes this surprisingly well.
‘Okay.’ She claps. ‘I love this!’
‘That’s the spirit!’ I reply excitedly as she attaches a heavy bag sticker to my luggage. ‘So, Mel, how long have you been in love with Alan?’
‘I’m sorry, what?!’
I try to look full of knowledge, like an oracle.
Mel casts another longing glance in Alan’s direction.
‘You’re right,’ she sighs. ‘And it’s been ages. But he’s awful to me.’
‘The yoghurt stealing thing?’
‘Yes!’
‘I get that. But for reasons I cannot explain, I’ve had a long time to ponder what’s going on between you and Alan, and I reckon the best thing you can do is call him out on his bad behaviour.Just ask him why he does it. Could it be that he’s trying to get your attention?’
‘By stealing my yoghurt?’
I shrug. ‘Listen, men can work in mysterious ways. I suspect he’s been acting out because he doesn’t know how to handle his feelings for you, which isn’t ideal, obviously. But I also suspect that you’ve offered him a challenge and that he’s got to learn how to navigate that, which could be really good for both of you in the long run. Could it be that by clearing the air you might make way for, say, something new to blossom between you?’
‘Hmm. Clear the air,’ Mel repeats thoughtfully. ‘I guess I could give it a go.’
‘Please do! I’ve a sneaky suspicion that you two would be perfect together.’
Mel smiles at me.
‘You’re my favourite customer today,’ she says. ‘Thank you, fairy godmother!’
Bag checked and I’m fidgeting in the security queue, itching to see Callum now. We’ve got so much to talk about and also, after twenty-four hours, my eyeballs are hungry for him. Ravenous.
I wonder if I’ve been hate-fancying Callum all along? Back before any of this happened, I definitely acknowledged that he was a beautiful person, aesthetically speaking. But all the awfulness of his terrible personality had, I thought, made his outer beauty null and void. Only now I suspect I probably was crushing on him all along. An angry crush, if you will.
Pulling out my phone, I find myself staring at my inbox as I wait for the email from Kat to come through. Ooh, here it is now! Today, in my eagerness, I open it immediately.
From: [email protected]
Subject: GO GET ’EM, TIGER
Darling Nina!
My superstar. Wanted to wish you all the luck in Oz. Not that you will need it, of course, I know how hard you’ve worked on this and am certain it’s going to be a roaring success.
I’m here if you need me, although I’m sure you won’t.
Have fun!
