No characters in his story are under 18. In New Zealand the terms College and High School are usually interchangeable.
New Zealand Students typically turn 18 in their final year of High school.
The Air Hostess
I must have dozed off. I could hear a woman's voice but it was indistinct; my mind wasn't clear. Feeling constrained in my seat I shook my head then opened my eyes. Within about 30 cm I locked eyes with the most impossibly beautiful sight I could imagine.
"Holy heck! Did the plane crash when I was asleep? "
"What do you mean?" was the bemused reply
Staring into her eyes, "I'm obviously in heaven!"
The response was a broad smile which had the effect of a mild taser without the pain.
"An oldie but I'll take the complement."
"It was complement with feeling."
"Unfortunately you aren't in heaven. So I'm sorry Sir, but I can at least take your tray?" She was pointing at the remains of my meal on the empty seat beside me. In doing so she over balanced slightly and braced herself with her hand on my upper arm. Physically I felt a thrill at the epicentre which resonated throughout my body.
I sat there speechless, mouth gaping. She leaned across me and picked up the tray.
I found my voice, "You sound like a kiwi to me."
"Too right, churs Bro'"
The quip settled it, she was.
"That's the sexiest voice in the universe."
Putting on a low husky voice she replied, "And the sexiest men, where does a bloke like you come from"
"Oh, the back blocks, just outside Geraldine."
Response to that was a half cackle, half giggle that only a Kiwi girl could produce. This was followed by a pause with her trying to wipe some spit off my sleeve that had accompanied the cackle.
With a babble of apologies, she managed to add, "I'm a country girl too from down the road up Mt Peel way."
"What's your name then?"
"Lauren, Lauren Whitmore."
"Any relation to Dan Whitmore?"
"His sister."
"I played rugby with Dan Whitmore. I never knew he had a sister."
"I'm much younger. I was at boarding school and moved into town with my Mum when my father died."
"Yeah right. I remember. Shit, Dan was young when he took over the farm. He was bloody good at it though; Your Dad taught him well. He never had your good looks though."
"Yes, I took after Mum. He was more like Dad."
"I met your Mum, not that long ago when I was back in Geraldine. She was invited to my Dad's sixtieth. She is really well now and seemed really happy. You will obviously know she retired to Geraldine to be closer to Dan and his family."
Lauren's mood abruptly changed. "Looking down she said, I'm sorry I didn't know. Thank you for the information." She was about to depart. I, the opportunist grabbed her hand. " Lauren, don't tell me you've been a naughty girl. When you get in, call her. Make a trip back. She is a really nice lady I'm sure she would be over joyed to see you."
Lauren pulled her hand away. I thought 'That did not go very well', so I added "Look I am really sorry... I blurted... That was a bit impertinent and presumptuous I suppose. "
Lauren paused, "Apologies accepted; you are absolutely right. I'll do it. Anyhow, sorry I'd like to talk some more but I really have a job to do."
After that I was wide awake. No chance for sleep now. Adding to the alertness was Lauren, as every time she passed me I got a soft tasering from her electric red smile. By the end of the flight I was down for the count.
I noticed when she chatted with the other passengers there was little trace of a New Zealand accent. That had been just for me. Just before we prepared for landing I saw her standing near a bulkhead, she had donned her cap and scarlet scarf and she stood regally erect, her hands clasped in front of her. She was both a princess but demure in her loveliness. It was hard to believe this beauty was a country girl from Geraldine
Leaving the aircraft, I was manoeuvring my carry-on outside the door and there was Lauren standing like she was on sentry duty at the door, she tasered me with one of her smiles then leant over and gave me a peck on the cheek. The shock had me tripping on my carry-on and Lauren steadied my arm. My parting shot was "Heck, you had better report that as a health and safety near miss."
"You weren't going to fall."
"No I'm talking about the heart attack."
"I turned and as I walked down the air bridge I was rewarded with the kiwi girl cackle."
The significance of the quick peck was not lost on me. Cabin crew just don't do that in an Islamic country it could be enough to get her sacked
I was in Male, in the Maldives. It was a rather expensive side trip for me but I had always wanted to go there. I am a Seismic engineer and I had been at my company's European headquarters in the London on a project that was benefiting from the next Olympic Games in Korea.
I had been adapting some new technology from New Zealand for the intended structure. The project was part of a competition that an English architect had won in partnership with a local firm. The engineering design had been run from London. I was taking a northern hemisphere summer break to head back home, see the family and maybe do a spot of Skiing. Being single and free I thought I might take in a bit of diving off the Maldives. The plan was to spend a couple of nights at Velana beach getting my bearings then head out to an outer island for the diving.
I checked into a hotel by the beach and headed into my room. I tried to get some sleep. I kept thinking about Lauren. It got to the stage that it was 4:00 am and I had not had a wink of sleep. I decided to ring my sister, Sarah.
"Hi Mike, Where are you?"
"Male."
"Where's that?"
"Maldives,"
"God what time is it there?"