FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Chapter 26 - The Joys of Short Winter Days

VISIT #6 - DECEMBER

Camila was worried. Shawn was supposed to meet her at the airport so they could fly to London together but the crew were insisting she take her first class seat as they needed to close up the aircraft. Where was he? Was he OK? He wasn't answering his phone, nor calls or texts. She was freaking out. They had parted this morning after spending the night at her house, he had things to sort out before they left, but his bags were already packed. He sent a text asking her to take his things with her and he'd meet her there. They wouldn't load his bags on until he had physically checked in, even though he had done so online, so they were waiting, and they were not happy.

"Oh no, look at that," she heard someone say and she peered up at the tv monitor in the departure lounge and saw that there had been a ten car pile up on the road that led to the airport. Her heart stopped. He could just be caught up in the traffic, but then why not answer his phone? The flight attendant saw her expression and touched her shoulder with sympathy.

"Do you want us to offload your bags? If we don't do it now, we're going to be charged for missing our slot."

Camila didn't know the answer, but she did know she couldn't go anywhere without him, whether his phone had died or he was in the accident, something she was loathe to even dwell on.

The flight attendant went to her station and as she did so one of the other crew said "Stop!" Camila looked and saw Shawn running like Usain Bolt from the other end of the airport, holding his boarding pass and passport in his upraised hand.

"I'm here, I'm so sorry!" he panted, handing his documentation to the flight attendant checking them in. "I lost my passport!"

She stared at him. "Shawn, it was in your backpack. You put it in there this morning..."

"Yeah I found it eventually," he said, stumbling over his words. "I just didn't look properly, but I found it, just sitting there, taunting me....."

"On you go then, I've radioed down and they've loaded all your luggage Mr Mendes, please take your seats."

They made their way onto the plane and sat in their seats. They had the two first class pods in the centre beside each other but there was still a large piece between them. Camila was glad it was there. She was so angry at him, she had been worrying herself sick and he just hadn't looked properly in his backpack, like the silly boy he was. Where had he been that he had left things so late?

"I'm sorry babe," he said, reaching out a hand. She looked at it with narrowed eyes. She remembered words from the books and websites and YouTube videos and Instagram accounts she followed. What was the point in hanging onto these negative feelings? She was more worried than upset, that was why she was angry at him. She breathed in a deep breath, letting it out then reached out her hand to take his. The pause before she did so had him looking worried. Good, she thought with a spurt of vindictiveness, be worried! Like I was! Then she felt contrite and petty and took another deep breath.

"Shawn, I was so worried, I almost threw up, and I didn't want to go without you, but they wanted me to board...."

He looked so upset she felt her own feelings seep away. "Fuck, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."

"Tell me where you were," she sighed. He went bright red.

"I can't," he squeaked. She frowned at him.

"What do you mean can't?"

"Just trust me, I can't. It isn't anything bad or whatever, I just...."

She was finding it very difficult to keep her cool. He took a deep breath and squeezed her hand. "Honey, it's almost Christmas....."

She frowned at him and suddenly it dawned on her. Oh. She blushed, because she didn't want to spoil any surprises.