Hi Reader, it's been a while, but here is the first of three chapters in the continuing Mia and Sia saga. For those interested, below is a list of titles in order. Read them first if you wish, but Pete's Taiwan Adventures is a stand-alone story. My heartfelt thanks go out to
Chief Hal
for his invaluable proof reading. Any mistakes are entirely my own and I appreciate constructive feedback. Cheers, Foster Kaizen.
Meeting Sia -
Meeting Sia Part One - March 2023
Meeting Sia Part Two - July 2023
Vina's Visit - Jan 2024
Pulao Yoyo - Dec 2024
Pete's Taiwan Adventures
A Mia and Sia story
By FosterK
Pete Townsend approached gate twenty-one in Brisbane's international airport, he pulled a small wheelie case behind him and hefted a smaller backpack over his shoulder. He was boarding flight SQ246, the midnight flight, Brisbane to Taipei, seat 47C. Halfway down the plane, he'd thought, but it's an aisle seat and although it was economy, at least he had got a discount on the fare, courtesy of Mia's connections with the airline. A former Singapore airlines flight attendant, or Singapore Girl, as they were known, Mia was his lover/partner, who, along with her daughter Sia, had rescued him from the depths of depression, following the death of his wife some years back.
Both Mia and her daughter were skilled practitioners in acupuncture (among other things). Pete had shown a keen interest in this field and had some limited training from Mia and Sia; when they could keep their hands off him that was. So now he was going to Tainan, in southern Taiwan, to complete his training with the same respected master of acupuncture that had trained both Mia and Sia. They have an idea that he could provide acupuncture and massage service to the many friends of his wife, women who would prefer a male practitioner, many of whom were former Singapore Girls and Ex Hostesses from other airlines.
Pete had his passport open to the photo page and his boarding pass in his hand, ready for scanning. The pretty Singapore Airlines ground staff, looked briefly at his passport and then at his face for confirmation, then scanned his boarding pass. She frowned slightly at the display on her screen.
"I'm sorry Mr. Townsend, there seems to be a flag in the system about you, can I ask you to wait just over there, 'til I get someone to help." She indicated a counter off to his left.
Pete shrugged, "Sure no problem," he stepped out of line, ignoring the curious looks from other passengers. I wonder what this is all about. He thought.
The ground staff lady waved at another team member at the counter, then continued scanning and checking other passengers.
The young, very handsome, Asian man, who Pete assumed was one of the flight attendants, looked up from his screen, seemed to have a moment of recognition and clicked a mouse button. He grabbed what looked like another boarding pass off a printer and hurried over. "I'm terribly sorry to pull you out of the line like that Mr. Townsend, I do apologise. You see we've somehow overbooked the economy cabin, and we have a family of six that all want to sit together, in the same row."
Okay, Pete thought, how does this have anything to do with me?
As if in answer to his unspoken question, the Flight attendant, whose name badge identified him as Aidan, continued, "and your seat is right in the middle of them. So, we'd like to offer you an upgrade, unfortunately our business cabin is quite full, so our only option for you is First Class. I hope this is acceptable Mr. Townsend," he finished, raising his eyebrows and offering the new boarding pass with a smile.
Obviously, Pete didn't have to think much about it at all. "Of course, it's acceptable," said Pete taking the proffered pass. "Thank you so much!"
"That's great sir," Aiden said, "now if you would like to follow me, I'll take you to your seat."
Aiden took him to his seat, 3A on the port side. Pete looked around, it seemed that there was only one other passenger in the cabin, an elderly Chinese man with a long, wispy, white beard, was being assisted with his luggage, in the front row on the starboard side. Aiden, indicated his wheelie case, "may I stow that for you sir?"
"Yes of course," Pete replied, his eyes once more falling on the elderly gent, something strange about the way he carries himself, he thought. It was almost as if he didn't really need help at all, but was humouring the person trying to help. He shrugged, looked around once more, then settled into the seat. "So not many passengers in this section?" he asked Aiden.
"No, just you and that gentleman in L1." Just then a stunning flight attendant, he guessed she was around thirty-five, stepped out from behind a forward bulkhead bearing a tray with two glasses. "Ahh here's Alyssa, she is the cabin supervisor for this section. Thank you, Mr. Townsend, I'll leave you in Alyssa's capable hands." With that, Aiden smiled at Alyssa and turned back to the rear cabin.
"Good evening, sir, can I interest you in a glass of champagne, or perhaps orange juice?" she asked.
Pete once again looked at Alyssa, she was breathtakingly stunning, her dark brown hair fell to her shoulders, she seemed to have been poured into the standard Singapore airlines uniform. She was not well endowed, but more statuesque than anything, her dark stockinged legs looked sexy encased in high heels. But it was her face that got his attention. Why is it, he thought, that the women I meet look like the girls from those old Mystique magazines? Alyssa bore a striking resemblance to Kay Sivilay from the seventy's magazine. Full sensuous lips, almond shaped eyes, makeup sparingly, but expertly applied. She had such a lovely smile, Pete considered falling in love on the spot.
"Sir?" she questioned, "are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine, err I'll have the champagne please," he finished.
She placed the glass and a napkin on a small tray she had produced from his armrest. She reached across him, and opened a small compartment, "please stow your backpack in here for take-off, Mr. Singleton, or... may I call you Peter?
"Yes, Peter is fine, or Pete," he said, taking a sip of his drink.
"Okay, Pete it is. I'll be your flight attendant on this flight, please fasten your seat belt, or would you like me to show you how to do that?" He nodded and she reached across him and clipped the buckle together, "enjoy the champagne. I'll be back to collect your glass as we get underway, and I'll explain the features of your seat when we get airborne." With that she turned and went over to speak briefly with the passenger in L1.