Prologue

New Year’s Day, 2009

I’ve always had bad timing.

I never budget for long enough in the bathroom. I’ve missed more buses than I’ve made. I was even born late – seventeen days late, to be exact – which took me from being the creative, passionate, stubborn Leo that I think I am, to being the organised, practical, shy Virgo that I absolutely am not.

Last night though … last night was something else. Last night it felt like time was actually against me.

Missed connections, a case of mistaken identity – what does it matter? As the clock struck midnight, dragging me from 2008 to 2009, I realised exactly what can happen when you’re in the right place at the right time, or the wrong place at the wrong time.

Yep, I’ve always had bad timing. But last night, it ruined everything.