‘See, perfect landing, City Tower. Flightbird Six Zero Zero.’ His voice came through my headset again.
‘I’d give it seventy per cent.’ I tried to hold back a laugh, I knew how competitive he was.
‘Seventy! I don’t think so.’
‘Flightbird Six Zero Zero, vacate right onto Bravo taxiway and contact Ground Control at one two one point six.’
‘At least an eighty, City Tower. Vacate right onto Bravo taxiway and contact Ground Control at one two one point six. Flightbird Six Zero Zero.’
‘Fine – seventy-five.’
‘What?!’ He was feigning shock, and I was trying to hold back a laugh. His plane was guided into the parking bay and came to a stop. I hadn’t expected to hear his voice again. But I did.
‘You working on Friday night?’
‘No.’
‘So you’re free?’
‘That depends on what time?’
‘Around eight?’
‘Why?’ I asked.
‘I’ll message you a little later, but I think I need you on Friday night.’
Need me. The phrase struck me as so odd I almost fell out of my chair. No one had ever needed me before. I was so shocked by the phrase that I must have kept silent for too long.
‘You there?’ he asked.
‘Copy that, Flightbird Six Zero Zero. Chat later.’
‘Can’t wait, City Tower.’
Can’t wait? Was that a literal ‘I can’t wait to talk to you, do it right now’ or a more figurative ‘I can’t wait to talk to you later’?
I guess it was the latter, because later that night when I was tucked in bed after completing my evening ritual, Andrew messaged me.
Andrew:Hey, about Friday night. I have a dinner with friends. They’re one of those couples who can’t stop extoling the virtues of marriage and then move on to the old ‘why am I not married yet?’ thing. I could really use a wing-woman there.
Pippa:What time?
Andrew:Dinner at eight.
Pippa:That should be okay. I have a Pokémon tournament at six, but it should only go on for an hour or so.
Andrew:You play Pokémon tournaments?
Pippa:I’m Gauteng’s top player.
Andrew:I wouldn’t expect anything less
Andrew:How about I come with you to your tournament and then we can leave together and go to dinner?
Pippa:You want to come with me to a tournament?
Andrew:If that’s okay.
