Chapter 20
I wake up with a screaming headache. Oh God.
The bottle of bubbles was a bad idea. Talk about plot twist. Probably dehydrated from all that dancing.
Doing the robot sure takes it out of a person.
I groan as I stretch, regretting the fact we’re arriving in Copenhagen today and I’m going to be running on low battery.
‘Good morning, darling!’ Princess struts into my cabin in a cloud of floral perfume. The scent doesn’t help the banging in my head. ‘I knew you’d sleep in. Talk about burning the candle at both ends!’
‘Ah – what?’
‘You really got the hang of those interesting dance moves last night. Well, you tried, I suppose that’s the main thing.’
I cup my face as a memory forms. Jasper teaching me to do that horrifically sexy caterpillar grinding move. Oh. No. No. No. Damn you to hell and back, expensive champagne! ‘Yes, well, now I’m an accomplished dancer we can all move on.’
‘Morning!’ Sabrina enters the fray. At least I think it’s Sabrina.
She’s dressed as a flashing Christmas tree with the addition of green face paint.
‘Don’t even mention it. My manager insisted I be the test subject for the rest of the Christmas trees.
’ She rolls her eyes; at least, I get a flash of white eyeball so I presume that’s what she’s doing.
‘And then I get to wash all this off and reapply when you board again this evening.’
‘Wow, for a luxury experience they really went… gaudy with the outfits.’ Princess shakes her head. ‘I thought Aubrey was at risk of self-immolation with all that polyester she’s so fond of, but this takes the prize. Is it safe? How does it light up like that?’
Every minute or so the Christmas lights that wrap around change colour and flash and sparkle. It’s very impressive, if not slightly jarring with her poor green face that’s been decorated with tiny gold stars.
‘Battery operated. There’s some sort of power pack tied up inside. I’ve given up asking questions and at this point if I do ignite, well, it would get me out of work for a while.’
‘Manager still giving you grief?’
Sabrina jiggles. ‘I’m shrugging.’
‘Ah.’
‘So… Aubrey, anything to report? You and Jasper kissed and I don’t even know what to call that carpet-gyrating manoeuvre.’ She holds a hand to her heart. ‘Teach me to dance, Jasper!’
Princess trills. ‘She’s mimicking you there, Aubrey.’
‘I got that. Thanks. Well, as the person responsible for filling my wine glass, this is on you, Sabrina! I’m not a big drinker, and clearly I was well out of my comfort zone last night and used alcohol as a crutch…’
‘Keep telling yourself that!’ Sabrina guffaws. ‘The man is obsessed with you, even after he saw you dance.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘The robot. Really?’
I frown. ‘It’s a classic.’
‘Yeah, you mentioned that. A number of times. Anyway, I’m here as requested. Your personalised wake-up call. Get cracking as your chariot awaits and you, my dear, have plans with the man of the hour.’
‘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.