Evie was also reminded of just how many things Josie loved to hate—like customers talking on the phone while ordering, two-for-one deals and clogs. But despite her morose exterior, she had a wonderful dry sense of humour and her friendship extended beyond the confines of the cinema—she had also been Ben’s flatmate at one point. Where Evie and Ben leaned towards indie movies, Evie and Josie had bonded over a shared love of schlocky romcoms.

‘So, do you forgive me yet?’ Evie asked after she’d caught up with all the things she needed to do.

When Josie didn’t reply, or turn around, Evie pushed on, ‘You know, I met a guy yesterday.’

At that, Josie swivelled to face her and said, ‘Go on.’

‘He’s gorgeous,’ Evie gushed. ‘But in a whimsical, effervescent kind of way. He’s an actor, but he hasn’t had much work lately so he’s decided to write a novel.’

‘Is he into sci fi?’ asked Steven, adjusting the badge on his apron that said ‘Lost in a Train of Thought’. A constant ray of sunshine, Steven was a gentle-natured thirty-year-old with a passion for his extensive model train collection and science fiction novels. Apparently, he was also up there with the best computer hackers in London.

‘I don’t think so,’ Evie said. ‘But he’s essentially everything I could possibly hope for in a man. Not only is he easy on the eyes, he’s smart and driven, but also warm and funny.’

‘How could you possibly know all that already?’ asked Josie. ‘Didn’t you only just meet the guy?’

‘Well, yeah,’ said Evie, backpedalling quickly. Getting her head around this time-travelling business wasn’t going to be easy. ‘I guess you can tell a lot from a first impression.’

‘Oh, Evie, I totally get what you mean. I had the same feeling during my first successful computer hack,’ Steven enthused.

‘What?’ Josie snapped.

‘I’m telling you, there’s nothing like delving behind the scenes of people’s search histories. You wouldn’t believe the—’

‘Thanks Steven, I think the soft drinks need refilling,’ said Josie. Evie, too polite herself to put an end to Steven’s rants, was grateful for Josie’s rather brash interruption. If nobody stopped him, he could keep going for hours. Literally.

‘So, it’s love at first sight and all that soppy shit. When are you seeing him again?’ Josie pressed once Steven had moved away. She always got straight down to business.

‘Well, I haven’t heard from him yet,’ Evie admitted. ‘But it’s only been a day.’

‘Oh.’ Josie looked concerned.

‘What? Do you think he’s trying to fob me off?’

‘Morning all!’

Swivelling around, Evie spotted Ben swaggering into the cinema, wearing a green Trainspotting pullover. ‘Ben? What are you doing here?’