This is dedicated to Bill, with thanks for his kind words. You are truly the inspiration for this piece and I hope you enjoy it – Please vote if you like the story. Let me know if you would like another chapter.
It had been over two years since Lacey had seen her Grandfather. As the plane taxied off the runway she realised how much things had changed in that time. She had been sixteen then and her Grandfather had always been her favourite person. She had always spent summer holidays with her Grandparents on their farm. At least she had until her grandmother had died five years previously. Then summers had been just her and granddad. He had taught her how to fish and they had spent many days exploring the wilderness of the Oregon countryside, amongst other things. Two years ago that had changed as Lacey received a grant to study in Europe and for the last two years she had been studying in London.
She had worked through the previous summer to gain extra credit, and with hard work she had managed to complete her course nearly six months early. Now it was Christmas and when she had arrived back to San Francisco she had informed her parents that she intended to spend summer with her Grandfather. It had been her intention to go to Oregon shortly after spring and surprise her grandfather with an extra long visit to make up for the previous two years. She had been shocked to learn from her parents that her grandfather had sold the farm and moved to New Zealand of all places. He was living in a small community outside of Christchurch in the South Island.
The change in her grandfathers' location had meant that it would soon be summer in New Zealand even though it was only just the beginning of December. Her parents agreed that as a treat for working so hard and passing her course ahead of schedule that they would pay for her to spend summer in New Zealand with her grandfather. Although they would miss Lacey, they knew that she had been pining for her grandfather and Lacey's mother hoped that a visit from his granddaughter would cheer up her Dad.
Several telephone calls later it had all been arranged. Lacey would fly out of San Francisco and after a change at Auckland; she would fly into Christchurch Airport, where her Grandfather would meet her. The flights had been arranged so that she would land early in Christchurch, giving enough time to drive out to the community where her grandfather lived.
Her parents came to the airport and saw her off the following Friday evening. Her father had pulled some strings and her ticket had been upgraded to first class. As the flight crew were giving the safety demonstration, Lacey took the time to glance about the cabin and her fellow passengers. The flight was fairly quiet and aside from herself there were only five other people in first class. On the far side of the cabin sat an elderly couple and between her and them in the centre aisle were three businessmen. The flight took off on time and soon they were cruising above the clouds on the way over the Pacific Ocean.
Once the meal had been served the cabin lights were dimmed, Lacey found herself too excited to sleep and although she tried to concentrate on the movie she had selected, she found it unable to hold her interest. She decided to stretch her legs and so she rose from her seat and made her way towards the lounge on the upper deck.
As she began to climb the stairs, the brunette stewardess that had helped her to her seat was descending the stairs. Unaware that Lacey was there she was startled when Lacey said hello and the coffee cups that she had in hand took a tumble. With slow motion Lacey watched the coffee in the cup slosh over the side and fall to cover the front of her blouse. Thankfully the coffee was cold and no harm was done but the Stewardess was horrified at her clumsiness.
"I'm so sorry, please come up to the lounge and I will help clean you up. Do you have another top you could wear? By the way my name is Anna"
Lacey answered that she had no other top as Anna led her into the private lounge.
"I may have something that will fit" Anna stated ducking behind the bar in the lounge. She returned with a promotional polo shirt with the airline logo on it.
"Can I get you a drink, I mean it is the least I can do?" Anna laughed nervously.
"Sure, a rum and coke would be nice" Lacey replied. "Honestly don't worry about the coffee it was an accident and besides it wasn't as though it was hot" Lacey continued, trying to reassure the pretty brunette.