Inod and put my tablet in my bag. “Yeah,Ithink we’re all finished up here.”
Asthe flight attendant is unfolding the chairs into beds and putting on bedding,Zoesays, “Youknow, this winning streak is just really fueling me.IthinkI’mgoing to keep it going by falling asleep first.”
Ishake my head. “I’ma twin andIhave three older brothers, soIlearned to fall asleep in even the most chaotic of situations.You’renot going to continue that streak—I’vebeen training for this since birth.”
“You’rea twin?”There’ssomething in the wayZoeasks it thatIcan’t quite put my finger on.
“Yep.”Somehow,I’venever mentioned that to her.
“Identical?”
“Mileswishes.No.Noteven close.”Iturn toSaoirse. “Whichof us do you think will fall asleep first?”
Shestops spreading the blanket overZoe’sbed and studies both of us, a finger tapping her lip.LookingatZoe, she asks, “Siblings?”WhenZoeshakes her head,Saoirsesays, “Ihave three kids.Whenthe oldest was an only child, he fell asleep for naps the fastest, hands down.Myyoungest, though?Hewas the one who could fall asleep anywhere.Sothis early in the day, while on an airplane?”Sheholds her hand out flat and tips it in both directions. “Itcould go either way.”
Sheplaces a pillow on each bed, then says, “Okay,Ithink you’re all set,” as she’s lowering the window covers. “Thedimmer’s on that wall, and there’s a bathroom right there and it’s big enough to change in if you’d like.Doyou need anything beforeIgo?”
“Snacks?”Iask.
“Somethinghe can eat in bed,”Zoesays. “Preferablysomething that makes a lot of crumbs.”
Saoirseleaves to get snacks, andImotion to the bathroom. “Areyou going to change?Ladiesfirst.”
“Ledger, we are on a plane with people we don’t know, andI’msharing a room withyou.No,Iam not going to change.”Shepulls a small bag from her duffel. “Iam going to brush my teeth, though.”
Tenminutes later, the lights are out, andZoeandIare both in our beds.Comparedto normal beds, they aren’t the most comfortable things ever.Comparedto the seats on a regular airplane, they’re downright glorious.Thespace is dark enough to be the middle of the night, even thoughIknow the sun won’t set for a while.
Ido whatInormally do whenIneed to fall asleep.Iclear my mind, breathe slowly, and focus on lowering my heart rate.Beforelong,I’mturning over in the narrow bed, trying to get comfortable.Adjustingmy pillow.Staringup at the dark ceiling.Lettingmy mind wander to a million different things.
IfIhad known last night thatIwould have to go to sleep before seven p.m.,Iwould’ve woken up earlier today.Yes,Ican fall asleep anytime, anyplace, but generally, that happens after having been in the field enough to be exhausted.Lastnight, after our footvolley-pickleball game,Igot into bed before midnight andIwoke up on my own ten minutes before my seven a.m. alarm went off.SoI’ma littletoowell-rested.
Itdoesn’t help to know thatZoeSteeleis just three feet away.Closeenough thatIcan hear her breathing.Almostsee her silhouette as she lays on her side.Therise and fall of her chest.Feelher nearness.Itdoesn’t make for optimal sleeping conditions.
Aftera bit,Zoeasks in a quiet voice, “Areyou awake?”
“No.”
“Samehere.I’mfast asleep.”
Mynormal reaction, and the reactionI’dhave if it was anyone else in this space with me would be to say, “Ihave a deck of cards, do you want to play a game ofGinRummyorGolf?”Ormaybe see if anyone else in the other compartments is awake and wants to playHeartsorPokerorEuchre.
But, put your hand on a hot stove and get burnt once, you know not to put your hand on the stove again.SoIstay quiet.Thecompetition is still on, andI’mgoing to fall asleep first.
CHAPTER 8
TRUST ME, IT’S PUDDING
ZOE
Ilook diagonally across the street toward theÉireannExpressionsGalleryfrom where we are seated at an outdoor table at theBlarneyBeanCafé, and sip my cup of tea.We’vealready scouted the building as much as we can.Itseems pretty straightforward.
Ledgerordered a fullIrishbreakfast, and the massive plate in front of him has bacon, sausages, black and white pudding, baked beans, eggs, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, soda bread,andtoast with marmalade.Ican’t imagine one human being able to eat that much food in one meal.
“Ithought they said black and white pudding is included.”Ledgerglances back toward the doors. “Ithink they forgot it.SinceEvansuggested it,Iwant to be sure to try it.”
Itry to hold back a smile. “Theydidn’t forget it.”Ipoint first at the dark disk that looks like a speckledhockey puck, and thenIpoint at the tan one. “Blackpudding, white pudding.”
Ledgerpokes at it with his fork. “Thatisnotpudding.”
