AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Here was Gate 36-B at last. The attendant was smiling at her.
“Congratulate me,” she said with a sigh, handing over her boarding pass. “The tortoise has finished the race.”
“I’m sorry?” the girl replied, clearly confused.
Nicole waved her hand. “Please tell me you’re still allowing passengers to board.”
“We’re just waiting for you, Miss, uh . . .” She examined the ticket, “DeLancey. We saw the incident.”
Nicole cringed. “Did it look as bad as it felt?”
The attendant chuckled. “Worse. Luckily, the gentleman who ran you down was adamant we hold the plane for you. He was considering going back to help when we assured him we wouldn’t leave without you.”
This was surprising news. “That was nice of him.”
The girl leaned close. “He was trying to avoid his adoring public when he ran into you.”
Nicole frowned, wincing. “He has an adoring public?”
“Yes, the gentleman is a very popular actor.” Her voice was breathy.
“Did he get away unscathed?”
“He did, but I wouldn’t be surprised if by morning your face is plastered across the front page of every tabloid known to man. It seems everyone was recording it.”
Nicole shut her eyes tight as the pain in her head escalated. “Great! Hello bad luck; my name is Nicole,” she mumbled.
The girl chuckled, handing back the boarding pass. “Just relax and enjoy the flight, Miss DeLancey.”
“Thank you. I’ll try.” She limped down the track as fast as her injured ankle could carry her, hoping none of the passengers were upset over the delay. That’s just what she needed—a seven-hour flight over the Atlantic with a planeload of disgruntled cabin mates.
“Hi,” she said to the waiting flight attendant. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
“You’re fine,” the pretty brunette said. “Do you need help finding your seat?”
“No, I’ve got it. Thank you.” 25-A. She glanced down the aisle. Three rows to go before she could finally sit down.
“Excuse me, Miss DeLancey?” the girl called.
Nicole stopped, slowly pivoting. Her ankle was throbbing, and her head was pounding. She was going to cry any minute, but she plastered on the best smile she could manage. “Yes?”
“Could you come with me, please?” The attendant gestured for her to follow.
“Why? Have I done something wrong?” Were they going to refuse her passage? She glared up at the ceiling while hopeless tears were building in her eyes.
The girl smiled. “Right this way.”
Nicole slowly followed, relieved when they passed the hatch and kept going. Where was the girl taking her?
They were now entering the first-class area, heading toward the cockpit. Was the pilot going to reprimand her for the delay? That wasn’t fair. She wasn’t the only one at fault.
“Here you are,” the girl said as she turned to her with a smile, indicating the empty seat.
Nicole frowned. “What is this? I don’t understand.”
The attendant continued to smile. “Have a seat, Miss DeLancey. The pilot wishes to prepare for take-off. I promise to explain everything in a few minutes.”
Nicole sat down, the comfort of the seat making her feel loads better already. She leaned her head against the back of the seat, closing her eyes and sighing in contentment. The next thing she knew, the seatbelt sign was dinging. They were already in the sky.
