Page 3 of Made Up for Love
Joel Grainger stared at the presentation on his laptop screen in the vain hope that some of it would actually stick in his memory. He glanced to his left where the passenger on the end of his row was still sleeping. Or was that snoring? Loudly. Talk about not being able to concentrate.
The flight from London City Airport to Edinburgh was only around an hour and a half; he couldn’t understand how anyone could sleep for such a short amount of time. As soon as they’d taken off, the guy had fallen into a deep slumber and seemingly couldn’t be roused for anything, not a drink or snacks and certainly not for Joel to get out and use the facilities. He wished he hadn’t had that second coffee.
However, if they won the client, he’d have to get used to this journey. The management consultancy he worked for, Bourne & Masters, had put him on the team for the new business pitch to a company who were looking to transform their organisation to improve performance and generate lasting growth. Even saying the words aloud made him feel dull.
That being so, he was happy to get away from the hustle and bustle of London in the days leading up to Christmas. Everyone else was so full of the spirits of the season, both figuratively and literally. All Joel’s memories led him back to the previous Christmas and the unexpected sight of his then-fiancée wrapped around his so-called best man, Greg. He thought he’d gotten over it, but the closer it got to the date when he should have got married, the worse he felt.
“Can I get you another drink?” The stewardess treated him to a further smile, the one she had been flashing him the moment he’d boarded.
Joel looked at the untouched can of cola balanced precariously next to his laptop. “I’m fine, thanks. How long until we land?”
She glanced at her watch. “Not long now. We’re lucky that the snow hasn’t amounted to anything, otherwise we might not have made it.” She gently touched the arm of the man at the end of the row. “Sir? Time to wake up now.”
The man grunted and snorted as he came to. Joel closed his laptop and slid it into his bag, along with the unopened drink can, before returning his tray table to its place. He stared out of the window, watching the odd snowflake land on the wing and then melt almost immediately.
It wasn’t long before they were finally on the ground. Joel grabbed his overnight bag from the overhead locker and waited patiently for the other passengers to disembark. While he waited, he turned his phone back on and prepared himself for the barrage of messages. He wasn’t disappointed. Amongst the work-related texts, he found one from his best mate—not the one that had been due to be his best man.
Rugby club Xmas do, THIS SATURDAY!!! You’ve gotta come, there are going to be some fitties there!!!
Much as he loved Luke, the guy’s memory was shot. It had been at last year’s rugby club Christmas party that everything had gone to shit. There was no way in hell that he’d be attending this time around.
Joel finally joined the taxi queue, wishing that he’d had the foresight to book a driver. It was definitely a lot colder in Edinburgh than it had been when he’d left London and he was grateful of his coat, although gloves would have been a great idea. He looked longingly over at the pick-up point where passengers simply walked to their cars, got in and took off. There were only three people in front of him, but it seemed to take an age for the taxis to arrive.
“It’s the weather,” the elderly woman in the queue behind him said, as if reading his thoughts. “They’re worried it’s going to snow and they don’t want to do long journeys.”
“Right.” Joel nodded. “Where are you headed? Maybe we can share a car?”
“I’m going to Edinburgh town centre.”
“Ah, looks like we’re in opposite directions then, I’m headed towards Stirling.” The next taxi drew up. “Why don’t you have this one as you’re not going that far?” he offered generously.
“Really? Thank you!” She patted his arm. “It’s good to know there are still some gentlemen around.”
As she got into the car, another one sped up to the rank and Joel gratefully got in. He was just about ready now for some food, a drink and yet another run through of the presentation. The gentle sound of the engine, plus the radio and the occasional ring of the driver’s mobile, to accept another job, made Joel’s eyelids droop and he soon found himself drifting. It had been a usual early start for him: in the office around eight, then almost a full work day before the flight up to Scotland. All he wanted to do was rest.
He arrived at the hotel and joined the queue for check in. In front of him was a woman with caramel-blond hair, trying to check in under a friend’s name. He exhaled loudly, causing her to turn around.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” she said.
Her brown eyes met his, holding the gaze for a few seconds longer than necessary. She was dressed in a weather-inappropriate jacket and he wondered if she was cold.
“Ms Hendrick? Sorry for the delay.”
She broke eye contact and turned back to the desk to finish her check-in.
After a few more minutes, Joel let out a breath, watching as Ms Hendrick took hold of her two suitcases and headed up the stairs. Two suitcases? How long was she staying for? Joel caught himself. Why did he care anyway?
His own check-in went a lot more smoothly and it wasn’t long before he was stretched out on the bed, a beer from the mini-bar in his hand. The TV was on in the background and his laptop was open. Joel knew he should be practicing again, but he’d lost enthusiasm. Instead, he called Luke while he waited for his room service dinner to be delivered.
“Hey, buddy, what’s up? You in Scotland?” From the noise in the background, it sounded as if Luke was in the rugby club’s bar.
“Yep, here for the next couple of days.”
“You’re going to be back for Saturday though, right?”
“Luke, I’m not coming to the Christmas party.” Without reminding Luke of the reason why he didn’t want to go, Joel tried to be as firm as possible. “We can celebrate between Christmas and New Year instead.”
“It won’t be the same without you. And I know there are lots of lovely single ladies coming along.”
