‘How on earth did you manage to get everything into that bag?’ Edie asked, shuffling closer to Ralph to make room on the back seat. ‘Mine’s twice the size.’
‘I don’t know. I guess I’ll be wearing the same things every day. Why? Have you packed your ball gown? I didn’t think we’d be going anywhere grand.’
Edie laughed. ‘No ball gown, I promise. But I can never choose, so I end up throwing loads of things in. I’ve probably got far too much.’
Ralph made a disapproving noise. ‘Did you remember the kitchen sink?’ Edie laughed again. It was the first time he’d spoken for a while; she’d assumed he was still half asleep.
Hannah and Mac were already in the queue when they arrived at the airport. They were easy to spot, as Hannah was wearing a bright pink fluffy cardigan.
They were in their own worlds, not speaking, but Hannah’s face lit up when she saw Edie, and Mac leaned over the barrier to shake Ralph’s hand before pecking Edie, then Jessica, on the cheek.
As soon as they’d checked in, they made their way to a café and the women bagged a table while Ralph and Mac went to buy food and drinks.
Edie, who’d been feeling weary, perked up after coffee and a croissant and noticed a book sticking out of Jessica’s open rucksack.
‘What have you brought to read?’ she asked.
‘Zorba the Greek.’ Jessica pulled out the book and showed it to her. ‘I can’t believe I’ve never read it. I saw the nineteen sixties film, starring Alan Bates and Anthony Quinn, but never got round to the novel. It’s such a classic.’
‘I haven’t read it either,’ Edie admitted, turning the book over to scan the blurb on the back. ‘You’ll have to let me know what you make of it.’
‘I haven’t even heard of it. What’s it about?’ Hannah said. Edie hadn’t realised she was listening.
‘In a nutshell, it’s about two men with completely different world views,’ Jessica explained. ‘One is bookish and serious; the other, Zorba, believes in living every day as if it were his last.
‘It was first published in 1946 and it’s set in Crete. The writing is supposed to be colourful and beautiful. It’s quite controversial, though. Some people think it’s highly misogynistic.’
Hannah’s eyes widened. ‘Ooh! Can I get some book recommendations from you sometime? I don’t read enough – I spend far too much time on my phone. I could do with a list of must-reads-before-you-die, if you see what I mean.’
‘Sure. I’ll have a think.’
Edie stared into her empty coffee cup, feeling slightly put out. After all, she was the English teacher but Hannah never askedherfor book suggestions, despite how much she read. She quickly dismissed the thought, though. Hannah wouldn’t have meant to offend.
The place was very busy and a group of people pushed past, knocking Edie’s arm, which sent Jessica’s book flying to the ground.
‘Sorry,’ said a young woman in a baseball cap, bending down to pick it up.
‘No problem,’ said Edie, then, ‘Oh dear!’ A corner of the book was bent and there was dirt on the cover, which she tried to brush off with her hand.
The woman apologised again and Jessica responded with such a fierce stare, Edie found herself blabbing like a fool; she couldn’t help herself.
‘It’s OK… no problem… no harm done… We can easily get another one…’
‘Gate twenty-one,’ Ralph announced suddenly, squinting at the board a little way off. ‘Let’s go.’
Edie felt her shoulders relax and she exhaled, swiftly passing the book back to Jessica before rising. By the time she looked again, the woman with the baseball cap had gone.
They hadn’t managed to get seats all together on the plane. Hannah and Mac were at the back and Edie and Ralph in the middle while Jessica was on her own up front.
‘Will you be all right?’ Edie asked, concerned Jessica might feel left out, but she needn’t have worried.
‘I’m looking forward to getting stuck into my book,’ she replied. ‘I just hope I don’t have a screaming baby next to me.’
It was surprisingly enjoyable sitting beside Ralph, looking out of the window at the fluffy clouds below and feeling her cares drift away. For once, Ralph couldn’t take himself off to his office or get stuck in front of the TV. Edie put a tentative hand on his thigh and rested her cheek against his shoulder, breathing in his warm, clean scent of soap, fabric conditioner and skin. He didn’t push her away.
‘I’m so glad we’re doing this,’ she said, giving his leg a small squeeze.
‘Me too.’
