'American Airlines would like to announce the departure of their flight 055 to Boston. Would passengers proceed to gate 17 for boarding'
She took her seat, 19C and finding 19A empty, spread herself onto that too, not expecting anyone to fill it. She travelled a lot by air, but in the past year, she couldn't remember having anyone next to her on an aeroplane. Most people would say she was very lucky. But actually, she longed for a stimulating travel mate. But the seat next to her was again empty.
But not for long, as it turned out.
'I think this is me.'
She looked up into the dark brown eyes of a cowboy. She knew he was a cowboy by the way he was dressed β dark blue jeans, shirt the same colour and a large metal belt buckle. And they were in Dallas, after all. But the dead give away was his hat.
'Oh. Sure' She said, and gathered up her book and Walkman off his seat.
She stood up and waited in the aisle while he sat down in the window, put his small carry on under the seat, and took off his hat and held it on his lap.
She sat down again, and pretended to be very interested in the on going boarding, looking backwards and forwards down the aisle while stealing a couple of glances at her seat - mate. He was about her age, nice looking with short dark brown hair, and quite slim. She smiled in anticipation.
They were talking even before the aircraft started taxiing.
'Are you from Dallas?' She asked. She thought it was a safe bet, given how he was dressed.
New Hampshire, he said.
'From your accent, I take it you are also not from Dallas!'
'Well spotted! She said.
'English?'
'Right again!'
By this time the aircraft was on its take-off run, and soon they were airborne. They both looked out of his window.
'Am I hogging the window? he asked.
'Not at all. I prefer an aisle seat'. She said. 'I hate having to climb over people to get to the bathroom'.
She looked at him to find him smiling broadly.
'What?!'
'Sorry' he said. 'You're probably sick of hearing this, but I just love that British accent, especially on women! I could listen to you talk all day'
Well! It was pretty cheesy, but he had such gorgeous white teeth and amazing dark brown eyes, she figured he was allowed the odd naff remark!
'So what were you doing in Dallas?'
'Oh, I was only changing planes. I'm on my way back to London from Phoenix' She said.
He smiled that smile again.
'So what were you doing in Phoenix?'
'I'm a pilot. I fly for a small corporate airline from time to time. It's only part time really, but it's so well paid, I commute from London. The guy who owns it has more money than God, so he pays me to be at his beck and call. And even though I like America, and adore Arizona, I couldn't live here for good. I'd miss Europe too much'
As soon as he'd sat down, their legs were just touching. She didn't move and neither did he β and both their arms were on the armrest, so they were touching, too. After take off she'd reclined her seat (it didn't go back far, they were in economy, after all!), and he had tried to do the same, but his didn't work.