The Time Bubble Box Set 2, стр. 273

“You are working today, aren’t you?” I enquired. I got aperverse satisfaction out of asking this question because it was exactly whathe had asked me when planning his New Year love-fest with Emma.

“Yes, babe,” he said.

Don’t babe me, you tosser.

That was what every fibre of my being wanted to scream outin response but I managed to restrain myself.

“See you tonight, then,” I replied instead with exaggeratedcheerfulness, as I flounced out of the room, not wanting to prolong theconversation any longer than was necessary.

I knew all I needed to know. He was working so would be homeno later than 6pm, possibly earlier if his office clocked off a bit early forNew Year.

I hadn’t bothered to check what we were supposed to be doingtonight and couldn’t remember. I was five years in my past now and my memoriesof the time had faded.

Not that it really mattered as any plans for tonight wouldbe blown out of the water by what I had lined up. Still, I ought to have beenmore prepared so I made a mental note to try and find out these things inadvance from now on. I needed to be better prepared.

Right now, I just needed to concentrate on today’s act ofrevenge. I felt a real buzz of excitement at the thought of what I was about todo. Not only was I going to take him down all over again, but as a bonus I wasgoing to get a bloody good shag out of it, too.

There’s part of me that can hardly believe I’m even thinkingor planning these things. I’ve always been one of the good girls – nevergetting detentions at school or anything like that. My current behaviour isquite out of character for me.

Is it because I’ve been let off the leash and there are nolonger any consequences? What would happen if we found out the world would endin a month? Would everyone cast off their inhibitions and throw caution to thewind the way I currently was?

I couldn’t deny it was extremely exhilarating. My impendingdemise had made me feel more alive and full of purpose than I ever had. I hadheard the acronym YOLO (you only live once) being used a lot by younger peoplein recent years to justify risky behaviour.

In my case it was more like you only live twice which couldhave been a great title if my story ever got made into a film. Unfortunately,James Bond got there first.

In my current frame of mind I was hell-bent on squeezing outevery last drop of whatever time I had left on this planet. Whether that wasrevenge, sexual fantasies or any other hedonistic pleasures, I wasn’t going towaste a single opportunity.

I left the house, pretending to go to work, but, as wasbecoming the norm, I had absolutely no intention of going. It was great, this –I could skive off work as often as I wanted and I never got into trouble forit. I didn’t even need to bother phoning in sick if I didn’t want to, but Ithought it best to, anyway. Even if there were no long-term consequences, Ididn’t want the hospital pestering me all day trying to find out where I was.

It was absolutely freezing outside. There had been a hardfrost overnight and the grass verge alongside the pavement had a thick, whitecrust on it where the sun hadn’t got to it yet.

Why had my time loop had to happen in the middle of winter?Would I ever feel the warmth of the sun on my skin again? Then I remembered theChristmas and New Year I had spent in Australia. At least I still had that tolook forward to.

I rang the hospital as I walked down the street, hanging upjust as I turned right into St Clement’s. I stopped off at the nearest café tograb some breakfast while I waited for Rob to bugger off to work. I made sure Isat well away from the window to avoid being spotted by him as he drove past.

Once I was sure the coast was clear, I headed back home. Thehouses in Jeune Street were terraced, with large bay windows. They werearranged so that each pair of houses had their front doors side by side, eachhouse being a mirror of the one next to it.

This meant there was no hiding place when, just as I openedthe gate to walk down the front path, the adjacent house’s front door opened.Before I even clocked her, I knew who I was destined to see, the dreaded Emma.

“Morning, Amy,” she said, all bright and breezy. “How areyou, today?”

You’re shagging my boyfriend, you two-faced bitch. Howdare you be all sweetness and light with me!

Of course, she didn’t know I knew that and I wasn’t about tolet on. All that business of catching her in bed with him was a year in thefuture. As far as she was concerned, I was just the none-the-wiser fool she wascrapping all over. Well, if it was false friendliness that was the order of theday, then two could play at that game.

“Yeah, I’m all good,” I said cheerily. “Got anything goodplanned for New Year?”

“Oh, just a quiet night in and a day at home tomorrow,” shesaid, smiling.

Oh yes, a day at home tomorrow. While Rob’s at home forthe bank holiday and I’m working. Bitch.

“Sounds good,” I replied. “Nothing too strenuous for me,either. I’m working tomorrow.”

“I thought you were working today, too,” she said.

And how would you know that? Does Rob give you a copy ofmy shift pattern so you can come round and help yourself to his body as soon asmy back’s turned?

“I am,” I replied. “I just had to nip back home forsomething.”

“Well, have a great New Year, Amy,” she said, and walked ondown the path in her ridiculously impractical heels, taking care to avoid the icypatches on the crooked paving stones on her front path.

Yeah, I hope you slip and break your neck, you slapper.

I couldn’t recall a time when the words coming out of mymouth had been so far removed