Marcus grins as I head back to the galley. Pulling a face, I rip the card in two and throw it in the gash bin.
“Don’t ask! Some creepy guy in First Class just propositioned me with the promise of a wild night in Mexico. It would probably end up with me beneath him or against some wall in a dark alley.”
I see Marcus smirk as I hear a cough behind me. Spinning around, I see 12A leaning against the galley wall with amusement in his eyes. I feel the heat rising and just stare at him in horror. Did he just hear that? From the expression on his face he did and now he must think I’m some sort of cheap hussy.
I stutter.
“Um… can I get you anything? I mean, a drink or something, you know, like a drink.”
Marcus grins and I feel the embarrassment consume me. Why does this man reduce me to a gibbering wreck?
He smiles and my heart beats a little faster.
“Sorry, I just wondered if I could grab a glass of water.”
In a rather high voice, I squeak. “Of course.”
I turn to grab a glass and Marcus says quickly.
“I believe congratulations are in order.”
I freeze and wait for his answer as if it’s the answer to world peace. I think I must be holding my breath because time stands still.
He says in a soft voice.
“Thanks. The trouble is I appear to be on my honeymoon without a bride.”
Marcus looks interested.
“Where is she then?”
12A laughs softly.
“I’m not sure. Probably still explaining to my brother why she jilted him at the altar.”
I almost drop the glass I’m filling with water as Marcus gasps.
“Wow, this is one story I must hear. Carry on and leave nothing out. I want to hear every detail.”
He shakes his head.
“It’s a long story. The result is I am now on their honeymoon all alone and just looking forward to the fact that I am well away from the storm back in England. It was a tough call but somebody had to volunteer, otherwise it would be a waste.”
I hand him the glass and my hand shakes as he smiles at me.
“Thanks.”
He doesn’t move and just takes a sip and I swear my heart pants as I watch his lips wrap around the glass. I am now officially out of control.
Suddenly, we hear, “This way, please. Now, remember, the password is Margaret.”
What?!
I see Jo leading a woman towards the flight deck and she winks as she passes. The woman is giggling and says, “Oh. My. God. I can’t believe I’m going in. I’ve always wanted to see inside a cockpit. It’s my ultimate fantasy.”
We all look in disbelief as Jo leads the woman inside. When she comes out, I pounce on her.
“What’s going on?”
She grins wickedly.
“If he wants a Margaret, then I have approximately one hundred ready to go. I’m telling them that only people named Margaret are allowed in today so they must answer to that. By the time he gets to Mexico he will hate the sound of that name. Every person I send in will be his worst nightmare.”
She scans the rows behind us and settles on the elderly woman in 18B. “Perfect, she will be my next visitor.”
Marcus laughs and 12A looks bemused. Shaking my head, I say wearily, “Don’t ask.”
We turn our attention back to 12A and Marcus says with interest.
“Why did she jilt him - do you know?”
He shakes his head.
“I heard she had second thoughts. Apparently, she saw a medium the week before who told her she would marry a fighter pilot called Tony. My brother is a painter and decorator called Gary. It messed with her brain and planted doubt in her mind She thought she was making a terrible mistake and needed to be available for Tony when he showed up.”
We all look at each other in disbelief and then burst out laughing. Marcus wipes his eyes as we hear a call bell.
“I’ll go. Wait there, handsome, I haven’t finished with you yet. I want all the gory details on my return.”
Then we are alone - well, as alone as we can be on a metal tube with four hundred other people within touching distance.
Suddenly, I feel awkward. The galley is small, and he is large in more than just his size. He fills my mind as well as my personal space and I smile nervously.
“So, can I get you anything else?”
He smiles and I almost sigh out loud.
“A coke would be good.”
Thankful for something to take my mind off the desire to leap on him and cling on for dear life, I set about getting the coke.
He laughs softly. “So, I suppose it’s an occupational hazard to get hit on by your passengers.”
I almost drop the coke and feel myself blushing. He did hear! I just shrug and roll my eyes.
“Not really. It doesn’t happen that often - luckily. I mean, if you saw the guy you would agree I had a lucky escape. I think some people think we come with the price of the ticket.”
He looks at me thoughtfully and if I could I would stamp on my own foot. What an idiot. If that didn’t say ‘stay away’ I don’t know what would.
The silence is a bit awkward so I grab the glass, fill it with ice and open the can. What the…? Coke bursts forth like the fountain at Trafalgar square and lands all over his pristine white t-shirt. I don’t know who is more shocked, me or him, as I watch the coke dripping from his hair and running down his neck.
Grabbing the tea towel, I start attacking him mercilessly saying with total horror,
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. It’s the pressure you know. It does that sometimes. Please let me help you.”
He raises his eyes to mine and smiles.
“It’s fine. I’ll just take it off and rinse it in the sink if I may?”
Swallowing hard, I nod and holy mother of all things sexy, he takes off his t-shirt right in front of me and I absolutely stare at him shamelessly.
His body is every inch what I expected and I think I must be drooling because quite frankly I must have died and gone to heaven. Wow and double wow. This guy should work for the dream boys. Actually, maybe he does. Come to think of it he could be anything.
He raises his eyes and smirks as he catches me gawping at him like a teenager. I feel decidedly hot and just grab his t-shirt and babble incoherently.
“Don’t worry… um… yes… this is good… water… I need water… yes or soda, maybe that would work.”
Suddenly, we hear, “Good god, Becca. You didn’t waste any time. I’ve only been gone two minutes you brazen hussy.”
Marcus stands there looking like all his prayers have been answered as he openly stares at 12A’s chest. Far from looking awkward 12A just smiles sexily. Ok, he must be a dream boy and used to this sort of attention.
Marcus shakes his head and says with authority.
“Don’t panic, I always carry a spare t-shirt in my crew bag. I keep it with my paper knickers - always on hand for any emergency. You can wear that and I’ll try to get yours washed and dry before we land.”
He heads to the overhead locker and I mouth - ‘sorry’- to 12A, who just smiles as if he’s finding this whole situation very entertaining.
Marcus comes back and thrusts a similar white t-shirt to 12A. “Here, try this on for size.”
We watch with total disappointment as he covers his amazing body with the borrowed t-shirt. Then we all laugh when it becomes evident that Marcus is several sizes smaller than the man mountain in front of us. It clings to his bulges and accentuates them further. His arm burst out and I fear that it will rip if he moves.
Marcus grins.
“So, Mr 12A, tell me your name so I can stalk you shamelessly until you return my t-shirt.”
He laughs softly.
“Sorry, I’m Luke.”
Marcus grins. “I’m Marcus and this is Becca. So where are you staying in Mexico? We could all meet up if you’re on your own.”
I find that I’m holding my breath waiting for his answer.
“The Emporio.”
Marcus looks at me and we can’t stop the grin from spreading across our faces.
“Snap. Who’d have thought.”
The curtain twitches and Jo pushes her way into the now extremely crowded galley.
“Oh, sorry. Listen, Becca, I don’t suppose you could check on Jenny for me? I’m flat out with Margarets and haven’t got time. You know, this trip could end up much more fun than I thought. I’ve thought of loads of ways to get my revenge and this is just the beginning.”
Smiling apologetically at Luke, I head out to check on Jenny. Jo’s words ring in my ears as I go and I have to agree - this trip is definitely going to be more fun than I thought.
~*~*~*~*~