I woke at 4 AM in Ellie's spare room, feeling surprisingly refreshed despite all the drama and tedium mere hours ago. After a quick shower, I pulled on a red Icebreaker 250 zip-up, last night's jeans, and a thick polar fleece as it was cold outside and would be colder at my destination, though my heart would soon heat up there.
I was shocked to see Ellie, normally useless until daylight, up and had pancakes ready. I wondered if subconsciously, she had picked up on my anticipation of seeing Andy later, but so far away.
At exactly 4:30, the bell rang and in the darkness, I saw Wing.
Ellie videoed me leaving the house, placing my bags in the boot, next to one already in. I hugged her and she videoed me getting into the car, then driving off. Later that day, she would DropBox it to me so I could send to The Pests.
Wing asked me about last night and I told her how Andy had got fucked over badly and how I'd killed the link. "Stupid bullies get it eventually," she acknowledged briefly squeezing my knee hard, then rubbing it gently and concluded, "But together you stand, they will fall nasty, hard, and unexpectedly."
From her tone, I wondered whether she had plans for the nasty fall as I wound up my precis of the evening to her, including Andy's keel snap which she laughed at saying, "Typical Bat."
Arriving at the airport, we parked, found a trolley, and unloaded the bags and an A2-sized brown paper wrapped parcel from the back seat that I could see was labelled 10B. She steered us to Premium Check-in and motioned her hand at me, wanting my passport. We went up to the agent and she retrieved a photo ID from her purse, presented it along with my passport. When he had entered the details, she told him to show his screen to her which surprised me, then nodded to him, then me to start loading the suitcases and the parcel for tagging and belting.
Arriving at screening, I thought this was goodbye time, but she gently guided me down the Aircrew cut line and presenting her ID, my passport, and the boarding pass and led me through.
First Class service: just for me? I wondered.
She escorted me to the Star Lounge where I saw a set of reserved tables, again labelled 10B, still clueless of its meaning. She said, "These are for families until the flight is called. I'm here until then," just as the rest of our group streamed in unescorted. Just me I realised, wondering the reason.
We had chatted on OMessage over the last few days, so I knew them, but it was good to see them IRL and we chatted, ate, and made happy. I was very happy to be free of The Pests, but it was only Wing I had confided in on OMessage.
The flight into Atlanta was long and boring and I mostly slept, remembering about the soft pillow that I'd had on the previous flights. I'll lay my head onto him later, I knew.
On arrival, we were bussed to the Freight Terminal and escorted into a conference room where the remaining family members were, including Mr Weasel, as I called David, and his kids. The newcomers greeted my group very warmly like old friends, which they were. I realised that I was the only newbie here, but they all made sure to greet me too, wanting to put a full body to the image on their app.
We were escorted out onto the apron where a 757 Combi stood, its rear cargo door up and two containers waiting to be loaded. We walked up the stairs and took our seats as the lift made its penultimate run. I did a double take when a lady in her 50s stormed up the stairs saying "Lazy fuckers never on time". Weasel: can't be, I thought and wondered who she was going to deck. She put her head into the cockpit and said to the crew bluntly, "Airedales, get to it: we're late" and the cabin door closed quickly behind her.
David's two hugged her saying, "Auntie Angie, missed you," and he mouthed at me "Twins," meaning Angie and Weasel.
She came over to me, looked me up, and down and formally put her hand out, saying "Tenby: I'm logistics. You're Bat's girl. Lucky pair," and flashed what seemed to me, a friendly smile, but it was also the smile of a snake eyeing up its imminent rodent dinner. Possibly: nobody's dead yet, I mused.
Stunned, I took her hand and thanked her as David flashed me his iPad, which he'd written Team 10Boss <> TENBY, clearing up my confusion.
The pilots took their instruction literally as the plane powered up, then navigated Hartsfield's complex web of taxiways and crossovers before its powerful engines sent us into the sky and southward for another long flight. After levelling out, the food was brought out by the solo cabin attendant: basil and ham sandwiches that were simple, but tasty, and some gateau. I remarked on this and 10B replied, "Guess why," confirming that this was her choice, and the compliment opened a door to a friendly chat.
David and I played around with the DumbCam as I called it so he could get used to it for shooting The Meet, then we all faded out again. An hour before landing, the pilot announced the time. We were actually early, and I wondered whether her order had played a part in this.
Crew 2 called up the hangar to get a briefing from Crew 1 including Andy, and an afternoon tea of fruitcake, scones, and fruit was served. She may be hard-assed, but she had good taste I realised about 10B.