‘No I don’t.’ Oh, I do. I made plans to spend the day with Jasper because I am an idiot who drinks like a fish and makes poor choices. ‘A Christmas beer tour? Or am I remembering wrong?’ More alcohol equals bad idea.
‘It’s meant to be great, if that’s any consolation,’ Princess says.
‘No, it’s not.’ I pull the pillow over my head, and Sabrina snatches it back.
‘Get moving.’
‘You are the worst welcomer ever.’
‘I aim to please. The beer might help the banging head.’
There is that. ‘Fine. I’ll throw myself in the shower and hope that washes away all my sins.’
‘Sins. You haven’t committed those yet, but the day is young.’
They leave making lewd jokes and giggling like schoolgirls. Once I’m ready, I take a couple of paracetamol and promise myself to hydrate with actual water today. Outside the cabin I run into my thirty-something neighbour, a fur-dressed siren who goes by the name of Georgiana; at least, that’s the name I hear her significant other yelling out when they’re… indisposed. The walls are a little too thin for my liking, but hey, the alcohol definitely drowns that out most evenings, like last night when I must’ve fallen into a champagne-infused coma. Not good. Not good at all.
‘Hi.’
‘Hiya, nice dance moves last night.’
‘Oh. Thanks.’ I summon a smile but even that hurts. My poor body.
‘Lucky you, snagging the hottest guy on the train. Especially after losing your husband to that freak storm. I mean, I’ve heard lightning can strike twice and all… but I thought it was just a figure of speech.’
Miles got struck by lightning. Twice?
She doesn’t wait for a response, instead lets out a frustrated sigh. ‘Between us, I’m at my wits’ end with Hamilton. The man is insufferable.’
My ears perk up. Could this be our couple on the rocks? ‘Oh, why’s that?’
‘You must have heard him? His snoring rattles the entire train. I haven’t got a wink of sleep since we got on.’
‘Ah – I’ve heard this and that.’
‘And he leaves his wet towels on the bed. My side of the bed, mind you. It’s the little things, isn’t it, when you go away with someone? The man can’t hang a towel up. Simply can’t. He also has trouble putting his clothes away – they cover every surface imaginable whether they need washing or not. He’s a man child. A mummy’s boy. And don’t even get me started on?—’
The man himself appears, looking relaxed and decidedly unruffled. Will Georgiana give him a mouthful in front of me? I hate myself for it, but I wait it out so I can report back to the Unlucky in Love Travel Club, but she does no such thing. Instead, she gives him a megawatt smile that comes across as totally genuine. ‘Hi, Hamilton,’ I say.
‘Hi. Loved the robot. Such a classic.’
‘Thank you!’ Vindication! ‘So, enjoying the trip so far?’
‘Loving every minute of it, aren’t we, baby?’ He scoops up Georgiana, who lets out a squeal of delight. I’m a little miffed. Were her earlier protestations just a vent? Sharing a small cabin and being together 24/7 can heighten those petty annoyances, but to flip the switch and act all giggly – well, that’s a little strange.
Could Georgiana and Hamilton be the couple careening towards splitsville? We’ve only spoken a handful of times, usually a greeting as we pass in the hallway, and yet she’s opened up to me, so it’s more than likely she’s also confided in Sabrina, who pulled the short straw and is often around the cabins, delivering room service or turning down the beds, with George a few steps behind.
Hamilton deposits a flushed-faced Georgiana to her feet. ‘Yes, we’re really learning a lot about each other. Aren’t we?’ This time, the smile she pastes on is a little more rigid.
‘We are. And today we’re going to Tivoli Gardens for the Christmas market and a trip to Rosenborg Castle, if there’s time.’
‘Nice.’ There’s a definite tic in Georgiana’s jaw, or am I reading too much into it? For her sake, I hope that being off the train gives her some much-needed breathing room. Perhaps those little petty annoyances will be forgiven when they’re entrenched in all things festive at the markets. ‘Enjoy Copenhagen.’
I give them a wave and go to the dining carriage to share my suspicions with the group.
21
22 DECEMBER, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
