Page 19 of Made Up for Love
As you sorted out the flights, I thought it only fair for me to sortout airport transport. Stewart’s going to pick us up at 08:30.
I didn’t have your number, so this was the best way to tell you.
See you soon, Lydia xoxox
He had no idea who Stewart was, but in all honesty, he didn’t care. Sophia’s instructions were only about the flights, giving him check-in times and desk numbers, and he hadn’t even thought about how they were going to get to the airport.
There probably wasn’t going to be much time for breakfast, so Joel took a quick shower. He tried to banish all thoughts of Lydia from his head as he lathered up the soap and scrubbed his body. It didn’t take him long to pack. Considering most of his clothes would end up either in the wash or at the dry cleaners, he stuffed everything into his carry-on suitcase. He gave the room a cursory sweep, grabbed his messenger bag and headed downstairs.
Lydia was waiting by the door, two suitcases next to her, her hobo bag resting on top of one of them. Catching sight of him, her face lit up with a megawatt smile and she waved.
He quickly paid the bill and went to join her.
“Morning,” he said. He reached for her hand. “Do you need me to help you today?”
“Not really, but I like the fact you’re holding my hand.” If it was possible, her smile grew wider.
A car outside the hotel caught her attention.
“Is that Stewart?”
“Yep. Time to go.”
As they left the hotel, there was a light drizzle in the air that had turned a lot of the snow to slush. The temperature was also considerably warmer than it had been over the past few days.
“Morning, Lydia. How are you?” The older gentleman tipped his hand towards her. “These all your things?”
“Hi, Stewart. Yes, and Joel’s case too, please.”
To Joel’s disappointment, she hopped into the front seat, leaving him to sit alone in the back. Still, he’d be next to her on the plane home.
The journey to the airport took close to an hour, thanks to rush-hour traffic and a few hairy moments with the fallen snow that was continuing to melt. Lydia and Stewart chatted away, with Joel only saying a few words when there was a break in conversation. At times, he felt like a big kid isolated in the back seat. Lydia embraced Stewart when they got to the drop-off point and thanked him for everything, while Joel got their luggage out of the backseat.
“Safe journey, you two. Enjoy your Christmas together.”
Stewart was clearly a perceptive old bugger, thought Joel.
They reached the departure desk and were met with an extraordinarily long queue. Joel guessed this was the build-up from the past few days of cancelled flights. They waited patiently, both checking their phones.
“Hey, you should give me your number,” said Joel. He handed his device to Lydia and she did the same. “Then we can arrange to go out.”
“And I won’t have to write you a note in lip pencil. You don’t know how hard that was to do.” Lydia rolled her eyes. “I thought I had a pen, then I couldn’t find one in my room.”
Joel laughed. “I just thought you had strange handwriting.”
They carried on chatting until they reached the front of the queue. Joel handed over his phone with the e-tickets on and waited while they were checked. He put their bags on the scales when asked and watched them disappear.
“Okay, that’s fine, thank you.” The attendant handed over their boarding cards. “Mr Grainger, you are in seat 20 C and Miss Hendrick, you have 27 B.”
“You mean we aren’t seated together?” Joel frowned. Had Sophia done it on purpose?
“Sorry, it’s a really busy flight.” The attendant gave him a smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes. “Departure is currently on time. Please head to the gate when they call the flight number. And have a safe trip.”
Lydia touched his arm. “Let’s go and get something to eat. I’m starving.”
Annoyed with Sophia, he followed Lydia towards the eating establishments, where they found somewhere that did breakfast sandwiches and coffee.
“I guess your sister will be pleased to have you back,” said Joel, through mouthfuls of his bacon and egg bap.
