‘What have I missed?’ I ask Jasper, wrinkling my forehead. It must be good because even Princess has lowered her voice.
CJ leans close, brackets her hand around her mouth, and whispers, ‘Do you know the couple who call each other Jellybean and Gummy Bear?’
I bite down on my lip to stem laughter. I mean, it’s cute and all but really? ‘No, I don’t know them. Which ones are they?’
‘They always wear the matching couples’ outfits, you can’t miss them.’
I nod. ‘Ooh, the ones from Hawaii? The young couple.’
‘Yeah. Well, apparently the girl?—’
‘Is she Gummy Bear?’
‘No, she’s Jellybean.’
We exchange a grin. ‘I’m going to have to make notes to keep track.’
‘Actually, this is Jasper’s story to tell…’ CJ motions her head to Jasper, who covers his face with his hands. I none-too-gently pry them away for him. I need answers, not another delay in what looks to be a juicy story.
‘So tell it, Jasper.’
‘It’s really nothing. Jellybean…’ he starts and promptly stops.
‘What? Don’t leave me hanging. What did Jellybean do?’ My mind spins with ideas. Maybe she followed Jasper into his cabin and propositioned him! Maybe she threw herself at him and kissed him!
‘I’m not sure why we’re even discussing this. It’s nothing. Jellybean asked me if I… if I…’ Poor Jasper looks uncomfortable in his own skin, and how can that be?
‘Oh God, can someone please fill me in because at this rate we’re going to arrive in Lapland before I find out.’
Karen waves me close, darting a glance at the passengers at the tables close by who are doing that pretend-to-read-the-menu thing again but whose eyes are trained on us. ‘Jellybean asked Jasper if he wanted to try a festive fling!’
‘SHE WHAT!’ I see red. Probably because of the sanctity of her own relationship. How dare she try and steal another man when she’s got one of her own! Greedy much? ‘I’ve got half a mind to go over there and have it out with her.’
The Unlucky in Love Travel Club goes completely silent. Deathly silent, even. What? Am I overreacting? Aren’t they as incensed as I am? Best to play it down, maybe? I lock a natural smile into place, one that shows my teeth.
Princess grimaces and gives me a quick shake of the head and points to her own genial smile. I relax my facial muscles as best I can and say in a low voice, ‘Because… um… don’t we think that’s a little offensive, considering she’s in a relationship with Gummy Bear?’
‘That’s what we’re considering,’ Karen says, taking a hearty sip of wine. ‘As in… what if Jellybean was speaking on behalf of Gummy Bear too?’
I gasp. ‘A ménage à trois?’ Could this get any worse? Now I’ve got to fight off men and women?! I catch myself, Firstly, Jasper isn’t mine. Secondly, I’m not the jealous sort. But all of a sudden I am, and why is that? Train politics, probably. Being stuck with couples who act like they’re smitten with one another then try their luck with a side piece? I’m incensed!
CJ lifts her palms and Jasper all but slides down his chair as if he wants to slip away to avoid this conversation. ‘It could be, but we don’t have enough details to know for sure.’
‘Jasper?’ I ask. ‘What do you think?’
‘I took it as a joke. I didn’t think anything of it.’
‘Then why tell the group?’
‘Ooh, that was me who told the group,’ Princess says, a smug smile lifting the corners of her mouth. ‘I overheard Jellybean and then extricated our pure-of-heart boy and then reported my findings. That woman was practically salivating over poor Jasper here. And if she’s going around propositioning men, then I think we have our suspects, don’t we?’
Jasper’s complexion pinkens further. Honestly, isn’t he used to being approached by flirtatious women? Especially after a dance performance that steamed up the train carriage, so much so that we were all a little hot under the collar. He can’t really be that aloof to it, surely? Either he is, or it’s more that he doesn’t like the attention. Could that be it? And he only danced so well, determined to win the battle for Princess?
‘I’m in agreement with Princess. I’m sure they’re the couple who’ve called it quits. Didn’t Sabrina originally say the reason for the impending split is because of a suspected cheating scandal?’ Barry says, his eyebrows knitting. ‘And Jellybean has shown form with Jasper.’
‘Ooh.’ I think back to Sabrina’s comments. ‘Yes, she did say that! But didn’t she also say it was the guy who went rogue?’
Karen hits the table with a palm. ‘Yes! That’s right. I’d forgotten that. So either Jellybean is getting payback for Gummy Bear already cheating, or else they’re in an open relationship or just love adding a third person when the mood strikes.’
