There’s a lot of truth in that. My only concerns are usually about safety precautions and budgeting for my stay. ‘You’re right. And fine, I’ll admit it, Rox. You are very good at this whole life advice thing.’
‘Damn it, why didn’t I screen record that? Say it again!’
I laugh. ‘Not likely.’
‘I hate to ask, but I will anyway. Still no word from Miles?’
I shake my head. ‘None, and to be honest, his silence says it all. I’d wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, hear him out, but now, I think a clean break is best. I feel…’ How do I feel about Miles? Really? ‘Like we both rushed into this, with the idea of a belated happy ever after, mimicking what our friends had, but that wasn’t us, was it? I’m happy exploring and maybe Miles is happy?—’
She guffaws then yells, ‘With himself!’
‘I was going to say living the bachelor lifestyle.’ I shake my head. ‘And I have to respect that. We thought we’d be the missing piece of the puzzle for each other, but it turns out we were two completely different puzzles all along.’
‘So will you go on the Camino pilgrimage?’
‘Why not? I’ll crunch some numbers and see what the budget is doing, but wouldn’t it be kind of perfect? Spending those long days walking, ruminating? Feels like just the tonic.’
‘You and your tonics. Less ruminating and more?—’
‘Don’t you even say it!’
* * *
After a quick shower I’m dressed and ready for dinner with the Unlucky in Love Travel Club. Tonight’s theme is ‘Cosy Christmas’. Pyjamas, fluffy slippers – we’re encouraged to don whatever we feel most comfortable in. I’ve opted for a pair of Grinch PJs and Ugg boots. If only we could dress like this every evening, although I bet Princess won’t be impressed by the thought of dressing so casually. I lock my cabin door and make my way down the hallway to the dining carriage.
Sabrina pops out, startling me with her green face. ‘Nice PJs!’
‘Thank you. Wow, that Christmas tree costume is somehow even more… vibrant.’ I give her a wide smile. Her costume flashes and pulses to the music as if the festive Christmas lights share the same beat. Was it only this morning she showed us her practice run in it? Feels like light years ago. The days and nights are deliciously slow on the Winter Wonderland Express.
Her lips purse in disapproval. ‘I can’t wait to get this monstrosity off. Gift-box shoes should be outlawed, and that sleazy guy Silas from table three keeps squeezing my baubles and yelling ho, ho, ho.’
I pull a face. ‘Eww. What makes him think that’s acceptable?’ The mention of him reminds me that I forgot to tell the Unlucky in Love Travel Club that he might be in contention for our splitsville mystery… and if so, I can see bloody well why. He’s the letch who won the ugly Christmas jumper competition and gave every woman the winky face.
Sabrina shakes her head; at least, that’s what I think she’s doing. It’s hard to tell with her costume hiding the bulk of her frame. ‘He’s actually a pig. And strangely he’s coupled up with that statuesque blonde Gigi, the supermodel type with the cool gaze. Like, in what universe does a man like him get the love of a woman like her? He is punching well above his weight.’
Silas and Gigi haven’t been as blatant with their PDAs as the other passengers; if anything, the tall cool blonde has been a little cold and I can see why if he’s being inappropriate with other women.
‘Why do women settle for men like him? She’s lovely and he’s… not.’
Sabrina lifts her tinsel-wrapped arms. ‘It’s a mystery.’
I decide not to wait to confer with the group. I have to know now. ‘It’s got to be them. The couple heading for splitsville?’
Sabrina shakes her head. ‘Unfortunately not. She’s stuck by him as far as I know.’
I deflate at the thought. ‘Well, at least that means Silas won’t be joining our table, I couldn’t cope with that.’
‘Somehow I can’t see Jasper putting up with a guy being handsy around you.’
I stop short. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Haven’t you noticed how protective of you he is?’
Have I? A few times he’s put an arm around me, like in the Louvre to stop me from being jostled forward, or that time in Hamburg he grabbed my hand to guide me through a horde of tourists. ‘That’s just Jasper being Jasper.’
‘Oh, you poor lovesick fool. Why is the love interest always the last to know?’
‘The love interest? Me?’
