Page 60 of Fast Forward

“No, your inner child.” He looked at me, then laughed. “Of course I mean sex appeal!” He flung a show bag encumbered arm around my waist as we walked.

“If anything, I think you’ve gotten better with age,” I told him.

“Really?” His eyes widened. “Hang on, does that mean you never thought the pudgy, pimply me at school was attractive?” He winked.

What could I say? I had never thought of him as attractive – ever. Until… now. “It’s what’s inside that counts, remember?” I said.

“Of course, all those bones, organs and lengths of intestines are really irresistible.” He rubbed his stomach in circular motions and I gave him a friendly slap.

“I think someone’s been drinking too much champagne,” I said, knowing too well the four I’d had – or was it five – hadn’t done me any favours.

“I only had two!” he defended. “But being here at the fair with you, wearing this costume, it does dredge up my own inner child. What about you? Are you feeling like your twenty-five-year-old self, wearing that dress?”

Far from it. “Um, let’s just say I’m feeling more… me, right now, than I have for a while.”

“We bring out the best in each other, I tell ya. What did I say at the party? We’re like a lock and key, you and I.” Will slid his tongue along his own lollipop.

“So which one am I, the lock or the key?”

Will’s eyes searched the sky. “I think you’d be the key. A lock’s more idle, more like a possibility. A key, well, that turns the lock and brings the possibilities into reality. Like you’ve done.”

“I have?”

“Yep. Without you, I’d be a lock that hasn’t been opened, still waiting for the right key.”

The warm tingle I’d felt earlier returned. “You’re good with words, Will. Although, I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. Of course you’d be happy and successful without me.”

“Successful maybe, but completely happy? I don’t know… content, perhaps.” He kissed my cheek, leaving a slight sticky sensation behind. “But I don’t have to even think about the other possibility, because you’re with me and I’m very happy.”

I smiled. “Hey, do you want to go on the Ferris wheel?” I pointed to the large circle encroaching on the clear night sky.

“Sure, like old times.” He smiled.

“Sorry, closing up for the night,” the man said when we approached.

“C’mon, one last ride?” I pleaded.

The man looked at his e-pad and scrunched his weary face.

“It’s my wife’s birthday, you know,” Will said. “The big Five-O.”

“Is it? Well, happy birthday. My wife turned fifty two weeks ago.” He looked at his e-pad again, not that the time would have magically changed or anything. “All right then, in you get. But only because it’s your birthday.” He ushered us into a carriage and pulled the protective bar in front of us. “I can only give you one cycle though, okay? Up and back down again, that’s all.”

“That’s fine, thank you,” I said.

The wheel began its slow ascent towards the sky, music playing softly in the background as Will and I gazed at the city skyline. “So beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, hard to believe we’re just tiny specks in this massive universe.” Somehow, the universe had picked me to launch forward and see the future. Shocked and traumatised at first, a ripple of gratitude now rolled through me. “Will, I’m sorry if I ever teased you in school.”

One corner of his mouth rose up. “Why are you bringing this up?”

“Dunno. Just didn’t know if I ever said sorry, that’s all.”

“Come here.” He pulled me close to his bulky chest. “You only went along with what your friends were doing. I know you didn’t mean it and besides, marrying me was the best damn apology I could have ever received.”

“I’m glad you don’t hold any resentment towards me.”

“Would I have married you if I did?”

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