‘Oh,’ I say, quickly pulling it on so Myra can take a look at my outfit too.

‘Handsome,’ is her final verdict. She looks like she might have some further critiques that she graciously keeps to herself. ‘OK, have fun,’ she says. ‘Call me in the morning.’

‘Will do,’ Chase says. ‘Love you, Ma.’

‘Love you – don’t kiss too many boys,’ she replies, and hangs up.

‘She’s so sweet,’ Bec says.

‘She’s just on her best behaviour because you’re here.’ Chase laughs.

‘He’s right,’ I add. I’ve got to know Myra quite well over the past couple of years, and sweet isn’t the first word I’d use to describe her. I’ve always been so surprised at how open her relationship is with Chase. There’s nothing they don’t talk about. She even knows what happened between me and Josh. I’d never talk to my own mum about that. She probably thinks I’m still a virgin.

‘So are we ready?’ Bec finally says. She retrieves the tequila from where I’d stashed it, the loop snapping back into place. ‘I haven’t got shot glasses so it’ll have to be straight from the bottle. Some Dutch courage to start the evening!’

‘You look great,’ Josh says, scanning me up and down. I’m giving Huckleberry a good rub. Something I didn’t do yesterday. I don’t really believe in superstitions, but then I didn’t believe in time loops either. So who knows what else I’m wrong about?

‘You look good too,’ I say, looking at him. I was hoping he might have switched to the gold outfit, but he’s still wearing the jester costume from yesterday.

‘Well, aren’t we just the complimentary couple!’ he jokes. ‘Though I do think you looked better earlier. Without the clothes, that is.’

‘Wait,’ Bec says. ‘Have you two been at it again?’

‘No, we haven’t been at it,’ I say, squeezing the bridge of my nose.

‘Zach tried it on with me in the shower,’ Josh says. ‘But I had to rebuff him.’

‘That is not what happened.’

‘Then why are you blushing?’

‘He’s right, you are blushing.’ Chase laughs. He’s giving Huckleberry a rub now too.

‘Why didn’t you mention this earlier?’ Bec demands. ‘Why so secretive!’

‘Because there was nothing to mention!’

Josh gives them a big dorky grin, enjoying this way too much. ‘It’s all right, Zach. Plenty more fish in the sea!’ He gestures to the crowd around us. ‘I reckon one of these fishies is a secret closet case. I’ll be damned if I’ll let this evening end before I find them.’

‘Well, the clock’s ticking,’ Bec says. ‘You better get to it.’

‘Patience,’ he says. ‘Here’s one of my suspects now.’

‘Huh?’ Owen says, looking bewildered as he approaches. ‘Suspects for what?’

‘We were just saying that you’re probably secretly gay. Hanging around with me all the time? Kinda seems like you might have a crush. It’s starting to raise suspicions.’