Page 52 of To Hell With It
‘Is it too late to get off?’ I asked.
She looked at me with a frown. At least I think it was.
‘Off the plane?’
‘Yes.’
‘Have you forgotten something?’
‘No.’
‘Is there a problem?’
‘Yes. I’ve changed my mind and want to get off.’
‘OK.’ She smiled softly but her face still didn’t move. ‘Are you afraid of flying?’
‘No, yes, um, I am, but it’s not that.’
‘We can make you comfortable, get you a drink, set you up with a film to distract you?’
I was aware of the people boarding the plane, their eyes darting to me before carrying on into the carriage. I hadn’t had much time to think about whether or not I was afraid of flying, it had been so long since I’d even been on a plane.
‘Do you have a window seat?’ She looked down at my ticket. ‘You do. Would you like me to ask the passenger next to you if they’d swap? Would that make you feel more comfortable?’
‘No, it’s not that. I like looking out of windows.’
I thought of being at school.
‘Right. Would you like a glass of water?’ She asked again.
‘No, thank you, I think I just need to get off.’
‘Would you like to take five minutes to see how you feel?’
‘No, I think I’ve just made a mistake that’s all. I shouldn’t be going.’
‘Are you travelling or on holiday?’
‘A bit of both,’ I said. ‘I’m going to New Zealand to see a man.’
‘Ah, holiday romance?’ She winked and I thought I saw a crinkle.
‘Something like that, he doesn’t know I’m coming.’
‘How romantic!’ She beamed. ‘You get to do some sight-seeing too, New Zealand is beautiful.’
‘Is it?’
‘Oh yes, my favourite destination, actually. Are you doing both islands?’
‘Both islands?’
‘North and South.’
‘Um, I don’t know. He’s from the North?’ I said it like a question and I’m not sure why.
‘Try and go to the South Island if you can, you can get a ferry across. Do you like mountains?’
