Page 43 of Forever After All

This motherfucker needs to slow down.

Pulling to an abrupt stop outside of the departures, I jump off the shuttle as soon as the doors open and step into the bustle of the terminal. I fucking love flying. Not just the flying itself,but the entire lead up to it. The preflight drinks, the people watching, seeing the planes take off through the windows, and don't get me started on the shopping. This is why Ialwaysget to the airport at least three hours before I need to.

I check my phone and see a message from Anna.

Anna: Hi, Alice, Brenna said you needed to take some time to go to a funeral back in your hometown. I have booked you out for the next week. Please don't worry. If you need anything, let us know.

Anna is an absolute godsend. She is brilliant and I couldn't ask for a better boss.

Me: Thanks, Anna. I’ll be back as soon as I can, I will keep you updated.

Anna: As soon as you're ready, Alice. Not before.

After multiple stops in the brightly lit stores lining the airport terminal and slathering on lotions and potions up the back of my hand and arm, I swiftly run out of space on my skin to put more products. I decide on a new serum, eye makeup remover, and mascara. Oh, yeah, and a new bag, hat, and sunglasses too. Whoops.

I stop at a coffee counter and order a large caramel latte withcream, then squeeze myself into a spare seat. I pull out my phone once more, go into my contact list, and hover over Carter's name.

I hit call.

The phone rings, but there’s no answer. The world is determined for me not to tell Carter that we need to reschedule. I have been so reluctant to tell him and I don't know why.

Well, actually, I do know why. It's because Carter would have just booked a flight and come with me. That's just the type of man he is. Whether we want to admit it to ourselves or not, I think Carter and I have been more than just friends since day one.

I decide to shoot him a message instead and look at his beautiful face on his contact photo before typing it out.

Me: Hey, I'm so sorry, something has come up and I need to reschedule Friday.

Carter: I'm sorry, I can't answer the phone right now. Stuck on a Zoom call. Everything ok?

Me: Everything is fine.

Carter: Damn, I was going to make your favourite for dinner.

Me: Oh?

Carter: Lasagna, right? You told me that a few months ago.

Me: Honestly, sad to be missing it. You're right, it is my fave.

Carter: How about Saturday?

Me: I won't be free Saturday either. To be honest, I don't know when I'm going to be free. I need to take care of something, and I might be gone for a while.

Carter: Oh, okay.

Carter: Gone?

Carter: Like, gone, gone?

Me: I'm sorry, it's a bit complicated, but I'm in the airport flying back to England. I am going to Danny's funeral.

The three little dots appear and disappear multiple times, but after a few minutes they stop and no further message comesthrough.

I slide my phone back into my pocket and finish my coffee. The overhead screens start to release gate numbers for the 4 p.m. flights and I head towards Gate 24.

My phone starts to buzz in my pocket and Carter's name pops up on my screen. My finger hovers over the Acceptbutton, and against my better judgement, I decide not to answer. Why am I so panicked at speaking to him? This is ridiculous.

The phone rings again, which I ignore. Then again, which I ignore for the third time.

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