04:13 the alarm clock flashed. Phil's words were still floating around Sam's mind, still with no particular meaning. She could hear his voice, as clear as day, repeating those two simple words. He had said them with feeling, there was no hint of sarcasm. They were heartfelt and genuine, but she could make no sense of them.
The next hour ticked by painfully slowly. She had still not been able to work out what he meant. Before she could stop herself, she found herself dialling his number from the bag she had snatched from the chair beside the bed. Before she had time to regret it he answered.
'Hi'. He sounded a little shocked, but who wouldn't when the phone rang just after five a.m she reasoned. However, he didn't sound half as tired as she expected him to.
'I'm really sorry' she began, 'Did I wake you up?' You silly girl, of course you woke him up. Everyone else is asleep at this time. Everyone normal anyway. Why did you just ask him that?
'No actually' he said plainly. 'I've had a bit of a rough night. I came to bed really early, but I've not been able to sleep…'
'Oh my God! Oh, I'm so sorry' she panicked. She'd never have imagined he could have a girl with him.
'I'm really sorry, I thought you were on your own' she continued. 'I… I'll just speak to you in work later…I…'
'Sam' he cut in. 'Sam, I am on my own. I just haven't slept very well'.
'Oh.' She tried to cover her embarrassment, but it radiated down the line. This was worse than thinking he was with someone. It suddenly occurred to Phil that Sam was jealous. Sam wasn't stupid, and she knew Phil wasn't either. It was obvious he had realised.
She went on to ask him why he'd had trouble sleeping, and Phil tried to explain what had kept him awake, but he didn't quite know.
Almost an hour later, Sam's alarm clock began to trill. They both groaned outwardly; time to get up.
'Sam, we've been talking for ages, and I still don't know why you called.'
'You know, I can't honestly remember' she said, feebly dishonestly. 'But whilst I'm on, I might as well check you've got everything sorted for tonight'
'Tonight? What's tonight?.. Oh the party. I don't suppose you've got any decorations or anything. The only ones I can find are from the birthday party you threw for me last summer…' he paused as they both remembered the fun they'd had. 'I'm sure I've got some stuff somewhere, balloons and things. I'll drop them off on my way in to work. Speaking of which, I'd better get ready. See you later .'
'Yeah, see you in a bit. Bye.'