Page 29 of The Lucky Escape

I don’t do relationships,he’d said. I’d have to follow up on who hurt him. I wanted to know. Who would let a kind, funny gem of a man like Patrick go? I’d bet she still stalked him online or through friends, kicking herself for being so careless. Whoever it was, she’d obviously done a number on him. Any time he’d even come close to mentioning his ex his face clouded over in a sudden storm and his entire body seemed to slump into itself, however momentarily. It happened quickly, but without a doubt it always did.

‘Can I pull the jilted bride card and make you steal somemagazines for me?’ I asked, trying to keep the mood upbeat. I finished my glass and waved at the waiter for two more.

‘They’re free, so it doesn’t feel I’m being too subversive in undertaking that task,’ he replied, standing. ‘Any requests?’

‘Nothing with a happy couple on the front,’ I said. ‘And nothing political. Just single girl fluff, please,’ I concluded, and as he headed over to the rack it hit me once again: single girl.

Patrick did a mischievous hip wiggle as he headed over to the reading rack, turning to make sure I’d seen him and then winking coquettishly when he concluded that I had. I caught the waiter laughing at him as she delivered our next round, and when she realized I’d seen she commented, ‘Laughter is key, isn’t it? My boyfriend is just the same.’

She’d disappeared before I could find the words to explain.

12

On the plane, which quite frankly came too soon considering we didn’t even have time for one of the spa treatments we’d been told were available in the lounge, Patrick sat opposite me, the yang chair to my yin. As I was sipping on another glass of champagne, he was playing with the buttons that adjusted his chair, sliding it down so that it lay flat with his feet up on the footrest, and then moving it back up into a big cocoon. He pulled his TV out of the armrest.

‘This is bigger than my laptop screen,’ he announced. And then, ‘Annie! They have all the Marvel universe on here!’

A couple across the aisle looked at him with amusement. They had the refined and weary air of people for whom this obviously wasn’t a novelty, all polished blazers and loafers and expensive skincare with phenomenal results. But I had to admit, I was in as much awe as he was. I’d never turned left on a plane. For my thirtieth, Alexander upgraded us to Economy Plus when we went to New York, but being at the front with seats that reclined all the way back so we might actually sleep, and nice cabin staff waving about morechampagne and hot towels to freshen up, was really, really special. I couldn’t believe Fernanda and Charles would be this lavish. I also couldn’t believe I almost wasn’t going to accept. This was truly already the most memorable trip of my life. What an adventure! My tummy bubbled elatedly. God, it felt good to feel good.

I pulled out my tiny toiletry bag from my hand luggage and produced a wet wipe.

‘Taking no chances I see,’ Patrick noted, rifling through the reading materials in front of him.

‘Even fancy people have germs,’ I replied, handing him one.

His eyes widened. ‘Annie, it’s a seven-course meal they serve up here,’ he muttered, absent-mindedly taking the wipe but not looking up. ‘And it also says there’s a business-class bar?’ He moved to look around the cabin. The older man of the couple who had been staring at us piped up, ‘It’s up there, son. Open after take-off.’

His partner – the younger, blonder man – said, ‘Just remember the golden rule: every one drink in the air is worth three on the ground.’

The older man chuckled. ‘Martin learned that the hard way, didn’t you, darling?’

Martin grinned sheepishly, and we all laughed in understanding.

A bar? In the air? The notion of it was heady. I was going to take all my make-up off and apply my lotions and potions so that my skin could keep hydrated, but if there was a bar …

I finished wiping down my seat area and right as I did a cabin crew member offered a gloved hand and said, ‘I’ll take that for you, ma’am.’

Patrick mouthed at me, ‘Ma’am!’ and pulled an impressed face that reflected exactly how I felt, too.

The reminder to turn our electronics to flight mode echoed on the announcement speakers above our heads, and I rifled through my bag to find my phone. Jo had texted me, and before I switched it off I opened her message.

Friend, I am totally with you on this if you’re happy but I just need to do due diligence and ask: are you sure this is a good idea?

There was a follow-up text.

Unless you’re already on the plane together, in which case: have a great holiday!

I smiled. I knew she’d sent her text outside of the group chat. I knew she’d gently check I didn’t want to back out.

I have no clue if it’s a good idea,I wrote back.But I think that’s kind of the point. I’m sick of doing a risk assessment for every decision in my life. If this is a bad idea, I’m confident I will survive it on account of the fact that I am currently surviving worse!!!

I chased it with three crying-laughing emojis to make sure she understood I was being happy-go-lucky and not bitchy. She cared, that was all. But I’d explained myself at brunch and wasn’t going to waste any more energy trying to get her – or anyone – on board. Not least when the seatbelt sign had just pinged on. I was excited! Excitement was awesome!

I trust your judgement,she wrote back.Just make sure you send lots of photos! To the group chat, but to me privately too. I’ll miss you! Also please forward me Patrick’s number in case of emergency. SORRY TO BE A MUM ABOUT IT.

I’ll miss you too,I said, doing as she asked and sending hisdetails through. She had a point.I’ll bring you back a koala xxxxx

It was when we were in the air, somewhere over the southern tip of India, the cabin in darkness and everyone snoozing after yet another meal served up by the crew, that I pulled out my notebook. Patrick and I had been and checked out the bar then, back at our seats, had laughed and chatted until we realized we were probably being quite annoying to everyone around us. We’d synchronized watching a movie together and done a lot of staring at the clouds, too. I couldn’t not think about my life when I did that. I couldn’t not let the swell of pride rise up in my chest that not only had I survived the past two weeks, but by being on that plane and enjoying it I was actually close to thriving.

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