Irish Vacation

Chapter one

Roxie watched the people around her, wondering who she'd end up sitting next to on the long flight. She saw a grouchy old man who was yelling at some kids as they ran past. She really hoped she would be next to him. A voice came over the loud speaker, but it was too garbled for Roxie to make it out. She turned to check the screen above the flight gate and saw that her section was being called. She scooped up her bag and coat then hurried to get on the plane.
She was unwrapping her scarf when an attractive man approached her seat and checked his ticket.
"Hello." He said with an Irish accent. He reached to put his bag in the over head compartment.
"Hi." Roxie said with a kind smile. She settled into her seat, watching him the whole time. He had dark hair and a dark scruffy beard. His eyes caught hers and she looked away, pretending she hadn't been staring at him. He finally sat in his chair and looked over at her.
"Do you have enough space, or am I taking up too much room." He asked.
"I'm good."
"Are you sure? I don't want to hog the arm rest for the whole fourteen hours."
"It's seriously fine. You're bigger then I am."
He nodded and started rummaging through his backpack, pulling out his phone and shutting it off.
"I'm Eoin." He said, sticking out his hand.
"Roxie." She put her hand in his large one and they shook. His hand was warm and well worn, as if he worked with his hands. He held on to her hand, looking at her very close, his mouth slightly open.
"Do I know you?" He asked, "You look familiar."
She shook her head, her red braid swinging . "I don't think we've ever met." His brown eyes studied her face, trying to place her. He shrugged and let go of her hand.
"So, are you headed to Dublin?" He asked.
"Yup. And you? Are you headed home for the holidays?"
"Yea, I was born and raised in Dublin. What brings you out here? Visiting a boyfriend?"he asked, looking sideways at her.
Roxie chuckled, "No. I'm spending Christmas with my sister and her fiancée, then on Boxing Day they're getting married."
"That'll be nice. He's an Irish fella?"
She nodded, "They already got married, back where we live, but his family wasn't all able to come so they planned another one. It's going to be great."
They were interrupted by the flight attendants while they gave the safety speech.
The plane lurched forward and started to pick up speed as it headed down the run way. Roxie closed her eyes and her breathing got faster. She hated this part of flying.
"You alright there, love?" Eoin asked.
"Um hmmm." She mumbled, forcing a smile.
"Here." He said taking her hand again. "It's alright." He held her hand during the take off, squeezing it in a reassuring way.
The plane levelled and the fight attendants started to walk up and down the aisles, offering drinks.
"I'll take a beer, and what ever she wants." He handed the lady a crumbled bill and gave her a wink.
"A beer, thanks." Roxie smiled at the lady as she handed both Eoin and herself a beer. "thanks." she said to Eoin as she sipped her beer. The alcohol would do well to settle her nerves.
"So, what do you do for a living, Roxie?" Eoin asked, shifting in his seat to get a better look at her.
Roxie felt her cheeks warm. She hated telling people what she did.
"I have a YouTube channel, its hard to explain, I video tape myself cooking while I talk about a book or a movie. The food is usually themed around the subject."
"Thats how I know you! My mate's obsessed with your channel. He showed me a few of your videos. You're quite funny."
Roxie was certain that her cheeks were the colour of a tomato now. "I need to get a picture, he'll be so jealous."
"Sure. So, what do you do?" She asked in an attempt to move the conversation away from her.
"I'm an actor."
"Are you really? Anything I would have seen?"
"Have you seen 'Merlin'?" she shook her head, "Well, I'm in that. I've also gotten into directing as well as writing. I've actually written a book that just came out."
"That's really cool. What's your book about?"
"Loads of stuff. I'll give you a copy." He said, reaching into his bag and pulling out a book.
Roxie chuckled, "Do you always carry around copies of your book to give out?"
"Only for pretty girls like yourself." He replied without skipping a beat, making her heart flutter. "Wanna play a game?" He asked. She nodded, intrigued by the strange man. "Alright. Have you ever played twenty questions?" He paused, waiting for her answer. When she nodded he continued, "Lets play, you start."
"Whats your favourite colour?"
"Blue. What's your favourite food?"
"Chips and salsa."
Twenty questions progressed until they eventually were just asking each other questions. They leaned in close, with low voices so they didn't bother the others around them.
The flight attendant came over the loud speaker announcing that they would be landing shortly, and Eoin looked at her with a slightly sad look.
"Why don't we get that picture now." She said. He grabbed his phone and turned it on. He got in close to her and they smiled. Roxie could feel how warm his skin was through his sweater as he draped his arm over her shoulder.
The plane started its descent, and Roxie grabbed Eoin's hand, squeezing it tight when the plane touched down.
They walked together towards the gate in silence, shoulders almost touching.
"Can I give you my mobile number? In case you get bored of hanging out with your family, or want a tour guide."
Roxie smiled and nodded. She had been hoping he would want to see her again, she really wanted to see him. He scribbled down his number and handed it to her.
"I should be going. My family will be waiting for me."Roxie said, realizing that Eoin and her were standing very close together.
"Yea, same." They continued walking.
Roxie saw her sister and ran the rest of the way. "Josie!" She said as she ran into her sister's arms. "Fergus!" She hugged her soon to be brother in law. "How are you both!" She saw Eoin talking to a girl that she assumed was his sister, he caught her eye and gave her a smile as he left.