It’s my last hope. My hand trembles as I pass over my American Express card. Even the shop assistant is willing it to work; such is her pity for this desperate woman in front of her. I close my eyes. I can’t look, it’s too painful. Kerching! The machine kicks into life and starts to print the receipt. YES! A cheer goes up from behind the counter and I open my eyes to see four shop assistants, all with their hands raised in triumph.
I decide to push my luck.
American Express card in hand, I buy a brooch for Maw Walton, and a case of Jack Daniel’s for Paw. Almost done. Over to the toy section. I find a Barbie and Martial Arts Ken for Zoe and a two foot wide model of the Starship Enterprise for Cameron. Auntie Carly’s credit card holds out and I stagger to the bar, laden down like a packhorse. Sam rolls his eyes in amazement as I slump down beside him.
‘Sam, I’ll love you for ever if a gin and tonic appears in front of me in the next ten seconds.’
Bing-bong. The PA system interrupts us.
‘Air Bangladesh regrets that the 10.45 p.m. flight to London Heathrow is now subject to a three hour delay. We do apologise for this inconvenience, which was caused by the late arrival of the incoming flight.’
NO! Don’t do this to me, I can’t bear it. My life is over. If I’m late, my friends will hate me and my family will disown me. Mongolia suddenly seems like a good option.
I look up at Sam. ‘Better make that a double.’
Three hours later, I’m wobbling in my seat and singing ‘I’m Getting Married in the Morning.’ Sam’s doing backing vocals.
Bing-bong. ‘Would the final remaining passengers, Miss Cooper and Mr Morton, flying to London Heathrow on Air Bangladesh flight BG2234, please make their way to Gate 41 as the flight is about to depart.’
Fuck! Where’s gate 41?
We spring up, grab the bags and start running. Two minutes later, my legs hurt, my head is pounding, sweat is running down my back and we’re still only at gate five. I spot an airport worker in an electronic buggy.
‘STOP,’ I scream as I jump on, followed immediately by Sam. ‘It’s a matter of life and death! Gate 41 and step on it!’
We stagger onto the plane, hot, sweaty and bedraggled. The stewardess eyes all my packages and I know she’s about to tell me that I’ve got too much hand luggage. I stare at her, daggers shooting from my eyes and pinning her against the wall. Don’t even go there, I telepathically tell her, I’m a woman on the edge.
She picks up the telepathic signal and lets me past.
We stow our luggage with some help from three flight attendants and find our seats. I snuggle down into Sam’s shoulder.
He whispers in my ear. ‘Carly, don’t go to sleep, I want to talk to you.’
I straighten up to face him as he fumbles in his pocket. He pulls out a tiny black box and opens it. My hand flies to my mouth. Nestled in velvet in the centre of the box is my engagement ring, the one I left on his bedside table all those years ago. My eyes fill up.
‘Sam, I can’t…’
‘Don’t say a word, Carly. I’ve got a speech all prepared and I need you to listen.’
I bite my bottom lip and nod.
‘I want you to have this back. You deserve it. The last few weeks have been the best of my life and I want you to know that. This is just to say thanks. Nothing’s changed, Carly. I still love you more than I could ever tell you. I’d marry you tomorrow if you’d let me.’ He pauses and swallows.
The flight attendant stares in amazement at the couple huddled over an engagement ring, both crying their eyes out.
Sam slips the ring on my finger and continues. ‘But I know that’s not going to happen. I know that everything that’s happened over the years has made that impossible. But I want you to have this anyway, just in case you ever change your mind.’
I pull him over and hug him tightly, then kiss away his tears, my stomach in knots.
What do I do? I know I love him. I know that we could be so happy together. But I just can’t do it, can I? I think for a few moments. Maybe I could. Why not? Maybe I could just forget what’s happened and we could start afresh, somewhere that rich females don’t automatically look for their chequebook and Filofax when they see him coming.
I look down at the ring. I’m not ready to decide on this.
‘I’m sorry, Sam, I think you’re right. I don’t think it could ever happen. But can I have a few days to think about it?’
He nods his head and pulls me into his arms.
The air hostess flies over. ‘Excuse me, I couldn’t help noticing. Congratulations! Oh, it’s so romantic. Can I bring you some champagne with our compliments to help you celebrate?’
Who am I to dispel her excitement? Champagne is exactly what I could do with right now. I can taste it already. I smile at her and nod.
‘That would be lovely, thank you.’
Twelve hours later, we touch down at
