Trace of Innocence | Sweet and Sour (Book 4)

Chapter 67

(No Control | Holding Me Ransom - 67 - Been Away For Ages)

December 2015

The next week flies, full of Jingle Ball performances, promo appearances, dinner with friends and a last minute (and unexpected) about-turn from Modest to release History, rather than Infinity, as our last single. It's an abrupt change of direction (pardon the pun) and results in a fun and rather impromptu day in LA filming the video for it. Then before I know it, I'm back at LAX again, waiting to board a plane back to Manchester. I can't wait to see Jess again, but it'll have to wait another couple of days as I'm heading to Mum's first before our last few commitments are fulfilled and the hiatus officially begins.

As I stow my luggage in the overhead locker and take my seat in the first class section of the plane, I become aware of someone staring at me. I have a sort of intuition for it now, the same as when people are taking photos of me when they think I can't see. I turn my head and catch the eye of the passenger sitting to my left who smiles hesitantly and then looks away, a flush creeping up her cheeks. She looks a similar age to me, and she appears to be flying on her own. Something about the way she is acting - all jittery and nervous - tells me this girl could very well be a fan. 

I really hope I'm not about to be photographed asleep, and posted all over social media. Apart from looking like absolute shit today - tired, spotty and unwashed hair - I don't really want a welcoming committee at Manchester airport, which is what will undoubtedly happen if any fans get wind of my destination. I don't mind posing for photos and signing stuff, but some days I just want to be left alone to look rough, and today is one of those days.

My fears are pretty much unfounded though. I fall asleep not long after take off and wake after several hours for the inflight meal. It's only once I've eaten, and accidentally catch her eye, that I strike up a conversation with her and realise that although she is a massive fan (her name is Alex), she's talking to me like I'm a normal person and we have some good conversation over the course of the flight. She reminds me in a way of Jess, as I imagine some of the things Jess has said to me about playing it cool on the outside but screaming hysterically on the inside, and at one point I nearly let slip that she reminds me of my girlfriend, but catch myself at the very last second and manage to cover up my almost- faux-pas. She asks me very politely if I mind posing for a photo, and even though I know I look like a hormonal, greasy mess, I oblige, but ask her to refrain from posting anything online until we are safely off the flight and out of the airport. As I smile for the photos I think of Jess, and how she will be really excited for a fellow fan, and chuckle to myself.

When we land in Manchester I give Alex a hug goodbye, and then make my way through Arrivals, collect my luggage and head straight out to my waiting car.

"Evening, H," Paul greets me as he helps me load my things into the boot. "Good flight?" he asks, when we are both strapped into our seats and he indicates and pulls out of the collection bay.

"Not bad," I reply. "Just glad to be home, though. Looking forward to a good night's sleep in a comfy bed." Even the poshest, most expensive hotels are never as comfy as my own bed. I ease my phone out of my pocket and call Jess, glancing at my watch as it begins to ring. It's just past five pm so she should have finished work by now.

"Hi Squidge," she answers, and I can hear traffic noise in the background - she must be walking to the tube.

"Hi baby. Just letting you know I've landed. How was your day?"

"Long," she sighs. "But fine. How was your flight?"

"Long," I grin. "But fine. I was sitting next to a fan on the way back. She reminded me a bit of you, actually. She played it very cool - no tears, no screaming, no hysterics. Just polite chatting and a few photos."