AIR NATION A FREE TICKET AROUND THE WORLD
CHAPTER 5
LONDON ENGLAND
CHAPTER 5
LONDON ENGLAND
24 hours later
Flight 902
London-Gatwick
Almost all the flight attendants are present in the briefing room. Max finishes to distribute the money envelopes.
-Hey! Josey darling! Says Tiffany, seeing her coming in. I have tried to get in touch with you this morning to know how was your little night out.
Everybody shuts up to hear Josey’s comments.
-What night out? Says Josey ironically. She knows very well that they are dying to know more.
-Ah! Come on Josey don’t play the little innocent one. How is this dear Peter? Ask Victor.
-When he brought me here earlier, she says to taunt them a little, he told me to tell you a nice hello. Are you happy now?
-Wou-ooh! Did you hear this well? Ask David. She said earlier...
- And.. Tell us, says Arlene , curious. How is this handsome mechanic?
-God! You are so curious.
Why don’t you leave her alone says Max and let me start my briefing. So let’s all calm down, OK. First of all, I would like to give you an advise. Deposit all your money at the automatic teller, here, because you have a big amount of money and we don’t want you to have any problem. We are leaving for a good period of time and therefore we have to be very prudent and able to prevent the worst.
We will talk again of the Kuwait sub-contract a little bit later. Now I want us to concentrate on tonight’s flight. We will operate flight 902 for London, England. Tonight we will again have VIP’s.
-Who are they? Ask Louise curious.
-We have the honour to have on board: Mrs. Céline Dion and her husband René Angélil and the musicians of her group. They will be in the upper deck. For the other passengers we have twelve children, I say twelve children in wheel chair.
Danyele, he says in increasing the tone of his voice, tell me where would you place them?
By the end of the boarding, the last passengers show up at the last minute. Céline, René and the musicians are getting on board the aircraft.
After reaching the cruising altitude, the captain extinguishes the seat belt sign.
As soon as the sign is off the flight attendants distributes the headsets and are preparing their bar trolley.
While half of the crew is in the alley serving passengers, Victor realizes that one of his oven is not working. He gets a bit nervous and verifies it again.
He touches the oven and it is completely cold. He walks back and forth even though the galley is very small.
-He screams: This makes no sense, Xenia, so that she can hear him on the other side of the galley. Xenia! Come here right now. I think that the oven that was broken the last time has not been repaired. It doesn’t work at all. Maybe a circuit breaker popped out! I don’t know!
-Victor! Don’t worry she says in getting in the galley. Victor walks nervously. Xenia examines the situation. She touches the oven and verifies it is on.
- Victor I can’t believe that you did not verify if your ovens were working before we left.
Of course I did and they were all operating! Mammamia!
I am not stupid! What do we do know?-Come we will check the panel and see if it is only a fuse that has pop out like last time. I can’t believe it! We don’t need to be short of one oven before we start our service. Stop all the other ovens and call the other galleys and Max, this dear flight director and tell him what is going on.
While taking care of the ovens, Arlene is making the bar service in her section. She gives away a beer, a tomato juice and transfers to the other side. She observes a man who is napping on the side of the window. Although she is not asked for it, she takes out a blanket from the overhead bin, and covers him up. She looks at him and notices that he is making bizarre jumps.
-As he been doing this for a long time?, she ask the man sitting next to him.
-I don’t know you just woke me up. I, also was napping.
-Are you traveling together? Ask Arlene who is starting to worry.
She puts down her tray at the feet of her jump seat which is close by and observes the passenger attentively.
-We are not traveling together. I don’t know him.
-Hum!
Arlene tries to wake up the passenger.
-Sir! Are you OK? She asks to make sure that everything is fine but the man is not answering and starts to jump up again. Arlene shakes him up a little and realizes at the same time that his eyes are half open and are revulsing.
- Sir! Ask Arlene increasing the tone of her voice while shaking him up more and clapping her hands together.
-Go get me other flight attendant, she orders to the passengers sitting next to him.
At the same time she turns around to pick up the phone at her jump seat, and continues to observe the passenger’s symptoms.
-If a doctor is on board, please identify yourself to a flight attendant immediately, we have an emergency. Thank You. She repeats her request in French and returns to the passenger who is now having intense convulsions.
- Sir! Do you hear me? Do you hear me?
The passenger does not answer. She takes his pulse. Chanel and Xenia arrives at her sight.
-Hurry up says Arlene, help me we will take him out of there and lay him down on the floor. I cannot find his pulse. I will have to administer him first aid. You did not find a doctor? Ask Arlene who is pretty calm.
-No, says Xenia immediately. I will make another announcement, but before let’s put him on the floor quickly.!
They finally make it with the help of other passengers. A man comes close to them.
-I’m a doctor. What do we have? Do we have a pulse?
-No says Arlene, I think he is having a heart attack, I don’t know, I am not a doctor! Damn it!
-Let me verify if you give me permission.
The doctor bends over to exam the passenger.
-No, nothing. Let’s go with CPR. Hurry up.
Xenia gives him the mask to place around the passenger’s mouth. The doctor puts it on place and breaths two times in the men’s mouth. Waits and verifies the pulse, breaths again, looks for a pulse
another time. Chanel arrives with the medical kit.
-We have nitro-glycerine inside the kit but I have to ask for your identity card before opening up this kit.
-Here miss! But I believe it is too late to give him nitro we have to go on with CPR. Go on says the doctor looking up to Arlene.
-One and two and three and four and five... One and two and three and four and five and ten and one and two and three and four and fifteen...
She stops and looks at the doctor, he bends over blows again in the passenger’s mouth and tries to find a pulse.
-Nothing, let’s go on!
-One and two and three and four and five... One and two and three and four and five and ten and one and two and three and four and five fifteen...
-What do we have? Ask Max all nervous.
He bends over to see what is going on.
-Ah! Good Lord a heart attack! Good, we have a doctor, I will inform the captain. Xenia look in the passenger personal belongings to see if you would find nitro just to know if he has done an heart attack before or something else... He picks up the phone.
-Captain, this is Max. We have a man of about forty years old who is having a heart attack. We have a doctor beside him. We are at 3-R what do we do?
Listen Max, I will try to see if we can land in Gander. I believe it is not too late. Max hangs up. The Captain gives the order to Mike to get in touch with Gander right away.
George, says the Captain, we have a heart attack situation, give me our exact position.
-We are at...
He bends over to verify precisely their position.
-Look for our fuel amount that we have also, orders the captain.
-10-4, answers back Mike at the radio. We will be there in twenty minutes. They are waiting for us with reinforcement, comments Mike while looking at the Captain.
-George calls the crew and tells them we are landing in Gander and that we are at top of descent now!
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Ding! Ding! Ding!
A red light lights up.
Conference call.
The flight attendants rushed to answer the phone.
-This is George. We are going down on Gander now! Stow away everything in you cabin immediately, we have a passenger who is having a heart attack.
-Fine George, says Max. You understood everybody. Put you pots and pans in place and prepare the cabin. He hangs up immediately.
-Doctor! Says Max all nervous. We will land in Gander. We will be there in twenty minutes. Do you think he can make it?
-I cannot say anything for now. We still don’t have any pulse.
-Listen, keep on trying please. Doctors and emergency equipment will be on place at our arrival.
The captain takes the intercom and announces the situation to the passengers and goes back to his landing procedures.
Arlene and the doctor are still making CPR. They have changed position. Arlene is still blowing air in the passenger’s mouth, and tries to find a pulse, but they still haven’t got anything.
The flights attendants are rushing to put everything back into place in the galley as fast as they can and make sure that the cabin is in order.
The passengers are getting a bit nervous.
-But we are going to miss our transfer, says a passenger to Victor.
Victor looks at her and rises his shoulder and says nothing. He prefers to say nothing that to answer to these insignificant passengers.
-We are going to miss the train, I want to get reimburse, says another passenger seated behind her.
Lolitta stops and looks at Victor, discouraged. He looks at her and smiles at her and turns back to the passengers.
-Mrs! Says Victor, completely furious, if you do not understand that this is a reason of life or death, I cannot do nothing for you. Try to reason a bit! As he brings his arms up. Really you exasperate me, mamammia!
-You should pray for these men instead of thinking about yourself. Just be grateful to be healthy Carramba! You are so selfish, adds Lolitta.
She also does not believe this ungrateful attitude of the passengers and gets in the galley to join Victor.
They are crazy these old bitches or what? Says Victor to Lolitta.
-Yes! Completely locas. I also told them my way of thinking to these: locas de malhor! Mi madré es morte! She says and starts crying.
-Doctor! doctor! Exclaims Arlene, I think I have a pulse! Look for yourself, I think I felt something, hurry doctor!
The doctor is also looking, he puts on his stethoscope on the man chest to be more accurate.
-Yes, we have a pulse!, he exclaims very happy. It is very weak but it’s there. Wonderful, let’s put him under oxygen immediately. I will make him an injection.
-Shall I tell the captain that we don’t need to land in Gander, says Arlene all excited.
-No, no, no, no he still has a great need to be transported to the closest intensive care, because he is still unconscious, asserts the doctor. It is really impossible for him to travel in this condition don’t you think? Says the doctor who is looking at Arlene.
-Of course, what am I saying. I think I am too excited to have found his pulse, she says while placing the oxygen mask on the passenger’s mouth.
The plane lands ten minutes after in Gander, New Foundland.
-Arlene! It’s Max on the phone, while the plane is rolling on the tarmac.
-You have done a great job. The stretcher-bearers will immediately come on board the plane, so make sure the passengers stay seated, and if you can put the entire passenger’s belonging together it will save us some precious time. On top of this we have to fill in all the forms regarding the incident before they leave the plane. We also have to take the name of the doctor who administered the care.
-Alright, answers Arlene
“Flight attendants disarm your door and cross check please”
Max explains to the passengers the procedures to follow and ask them to stay at their seat to facilitate the stretcher-bearer’s tasks.
A first Aid team rushes into the airplane with a doctor. Max asks Chanel to take care of his door while he directs the team to the passenger.
-Very well Max, she answers shivering.
The wind is blowing strongly and the bridge is going in all the directions.
- It is so cold here, says Chanel to the ground agent.
-Yes, he says, and they’re announcing a big snow storm.
- It’s not true, says Chanel. I hope we will leave as soon as possible.
-I hope for you too. Here, they are! He says noticing the stretcher-bearers arriving with the passenger.
-This is all the passenger’s papers and its luggage, explains Max. I hope he will get better. This poor man, he was traveling alone.
-Don’t worry, we’ve already contacted Montreal and they’ve immediately contacted a member of his family.
-Thank You! Bye!
-Bye!
During this time, outside the storm is rising up quickly and the pilots are starting to worry.
-Captain!, explains Mike, the control tower is giving us no departure before thirty minutes.
-It will do, I guess. George, go outside and verify if the wings have not too much snow, or ice, orders the Captain.
-It won’t do any good, I suggest that we do a de-icing to be more careful my Captain, says George in all honesty.
-You are right. Mike calls the control tower to tell them about our decision and ask the de-icing centre for a slot time.
-Air Nation, 902 to control tower, please answer. We will be de-icing the aircraft.
“Stand-by Air Nation, Stand-By Air Nation”
-How come Stand-By, says the Captain to his first officer and the engineer. Look at this. It will be impossible to take off with this damn storm! Did you hear this? Stand By. Now we are in deep shit, says the captain who is starting to be furious.
-Control tower, here is Air Nation 902. We have to take off, says the captain. It’s pure non sense if we have to stay here any longer than we had anticipated. Shit! Do you know what you are doing? You said earlier that there was no storm and now we are stuck on the ground. What kind of airport is this? The weather conditions cannot change from excellent to nil. The Transport Ministry will be told about this bad judgement. We wouldn’t have landed here, in the first place if it would have been the case. We would have gone to Halifax. Shit! Now 476 passengers will be furious because of your lack of analysis.
The Captain closes the contact with the control tower.
-Mike! This is bull shit! All of this. The company will never forgive us and what are we going to say to the passengers now?
-Let me do the explanations, if you want.
George looks at Mike relieved that he took this decision.
-Call back control tower, Mike and after ask them how much time they think we are grounded for?
-Control tower, here is Air Nation 902. Please give us E. T. D. (Estimated Time of Departure) please.
After waiting for a while, somebody finally answer them
“Welcome to Gander. Here everything can happen” says the controller with a sarcastic tone. “You can mention this to your Captain! And to the Ministry of Transport as well. Here we do not control the weather! The storm should last one hour to maximum three days, over”
Mike cuts off the contact.
-One hour minimum, says Mike, simply.
-O.K. we can’t do anything. Tell the passengers they can disembark if they want and tell them the truth.
-Don’t worry my Captain, says George. I prefer having this problem on my conscience than to have a dead passenger.
The passengers are disembarking and are going in the direction of the airport terminal. The wind increases more and more. The snow accumulates on the ground at a crazy speed. One hour later, their announcing to the passenger that the airport will be closed temporarily because of the bad weather conditions.
Louise decides to go up to the upper deck. She looks at Céline and René while stepping around. She hesitates to speak to them, but after a good moment, she finally makes up her mind and goes for it.
-I know that I’m not suppose to disturb you, but I would like to ask you something.
-Go for it we have all our time, says René laughing.
-Come on René, it’s not the time to be sarcastic it’s nobody’s fault if we are all stuck here. I’m listening to you, she says always so friendly with people.
-There are twelve handicap children on board of this airplane and when we took them out earlier, one of the little one ask me if it was me who was bringing you your coffee and without even giving me the chance to answer he told me to tell you that he loves you very much and that one day when he will be well he will go see you sing.
Céline moved by her story, listen carefully.
-It’s not all, he ask me this question. Do you know when I will get better? I told him that I did not know but I was wishing it would be very soon. So would it be too much to ask of you to come and see him and tell him to hang in there.
-Not at all, she answers very enthusiastically. It would be a great pleasure to bring a little bit of happiness to this child. Let’s go.
They go down the stairs and crosses Max on their way.
-Max, I will bring Céline to the little boy who wants to see her, you know the little Kevin.
Céline gets close to the children group joined by Louise and René and the other flights attendants who are with the children. The passengers surprised to see Céline get closer to her.
-Here is Kevin, says Louise introducing a small boy with blond hair and superb blue eyes.
Céline bends over to kiss him on the cheek.
-Hi Kevin! I heard you were in the plane and I really wanted to see you, she says smiling.
The small boy is really happy to see her.
-Hi! Everybody!, she says to the other kids.
Céline goes behind Kevin’s wheel chair and pushes it gently.. All the passengers are looking at her marching with the tiny tot. She stops in front of a ground agent and turns the wheel chair in front of her and takes the microphone of the young lady with a uniform winkling at her. The young lady turns it on and makes a big smile at Céline.
Céline looks again at Kevin and touches the microphone with her finger to test it.
-For my friend Kevin, I want to take this occasion to sing him a little song.
-For me too!, screams Jacques.
-O.K. Tell me all your names, ask Céline to the children.
-Jean, Bernard, Victor, Phillip, Isabelle, Micha, Émilie, Jesse, Chris and Lucas.
O.K. then I will start again for all my friends, small and big and especially for the gentleman who had a heart attack, I would like to sing you a very nice love song. I think we always need it, we don’t realize that love is not only to be received but to be given also. Here is my love song for you all.
And she looks again at the small Kevin.
-Jump on the counter Céline!, screams a passenger, we cannot see you.
René brings her up and puts her on the counter. Céline sing Acapella.
Her song resonates everywhere in the airport. Her voice touches everyone heart. Everybody gets close to each other like lovers. The kids put on their best smile and unfortunately the snow storm is still going on outside. Louise takes this occasion to get a picture of Céline. She’s very proud of herself to have dare talk to the pop singer. Céline finishes her song and everybody applauds her warmly. René puts her back gently on the floor.
-An immense thank you to Mrs. Céline Dion says the ground agent.
The passengers applaud again. Céline pushes Kevin’s chair up to the check in door and kisses him on the cheek again to disappear inside the aircraft
In the meantime, Chanel goes in the cabin with a bottle of water to offer a little bit of refreshments to the passengers who preferred to stay on board. The doctor who assisted the cardiac passenger observes Chanel for a moment and finally decides to join her as she gets into the galley again.
-We must of said to you a million time, I suppose, that you are very beautiful he says with a lot of assurance.
-Let’s says, maybe not as open as you just did.
-I would love to have the occasion to take you out on a tête-à-tête, if you allow me.
You know doctor...
-Call me Patrice, if you want.
-My name is Chanel. I would be enchanted Patrice but we are leaving for Kuwait for one week. It all depends on how things will go over there. So I am afraid that you risk to wait for a long time.
-I will wait. I believe I have nothing to lose and everything to win, no? You are so beautiful. Can I call you in the meantime?
-I cannot tell you the name of my hotel for security reason.
-Listen Chanel, I am very serious. I did not stop one second to look at you during the whole flight, expect for the moment when I had to rescue the passenger.
He looks at her again and takes her hand to give her a hand kissing. Chanel gets shy and looks on each side to see if there is any passenger looking at her.
-I found that it is a very difficult occupation to be a doctor carrying on a little bit embarrassed by his gesture.
-Yes, but I wouldn’t do what you are doing. Always nice, generous, willing to help. Smiling during hours and hours. No, I admire you.
-So, we admire each other, says Chanel, laughing.
-It’s a good departure, don’t you think?
-Yes maybe.
-So listen, I will live you my phone number in Montreal, since I am just passing by in London and after I am going to Glasgow, Zurich and Paris.
Wow! You travel as much as me. I imagine that you are very popular and that you have a girlfriend in every city that you visit.
-I am certainly not as popular as you. You are so beautiful. Ah! I would love to go to Kuwait with you.
-It’s very flattering, but it is impossible.
-Conclusion, I will give you my address, as I was saying earlier. So this way, you can send me a post card if you want. You are welcome. I am not married and I have no kids, and I would love to see you again, he says, staring at her.
-They stay there a moment, looking at each other without a word. Than Patrice bends over her to say a word at her ear.
-I believe it is clear enough and that you can have confidence in me. I am really serious. I would really love to see you again.
Chanel looks at him discourage by what he had just said to her. She is floating on a cloud. She likes Patrice . He is a very handsome man for a doctor. He still has all of his hair, which is rare for a doctor, green eyes, a little bit taller than her, not married, no kids, she will think about it for sure.
-How come you are not married?, She ask after a little moment of thinking.
-Because I have consecrated part of my life to medicine. I have specialized in paediatrics and than
after in emergency. I do a lot of research and today, it’s my lucky day, I meet the gorgeous Chanel.
Xenia and Arlene arrive rushing in the galley.
-Ah! Doctor. You did not go outside to take off the numbness of your legs? Ask Arlene who also kind of like him.
-No it’s OK, I was in charming company with Chanel.
-Ah! Exclaims Arlene obfuscated by his remark.
-Hum! We can start saying gossip on you doctor, says Xenia laughing.
As long as they won’t hurt my beautiful rare bird, I don’t care.
-Congratulations Chanel! You just found somebody ab-so-lu-te-ly charming!, you have all my respects Chanel. Ce garçon est assez joli aussi! Wake up! Says Xenia going out of the galley, but before we have to secure the cabin, we will take off soon.
Arlene gets out of the galley without saying another word. She was pissed off by Xenia’s comment and to see that Chanel got him before she did.
“Hum!”, she says to herself, the flight has just started will see who gets the handsome doctor at the end!
After three hours of waiting and not one
Heavy equipments and snow removers are finally shuffling the snow off the tarmac. The aircraft goes to de-icing and finally flies off to London.
In direction to the hotel, the Captain asks for his crew’s attention.
-Thank You everybody, by your efficiency and your teamwork, we had satisfied passengers on how the things were handle. I would also like to congratulate Arlene especially.
The crew members did not hesitate one second to applaud.
-And naturally, says the Captain to finish, Louise for her great idea to ask Celine’s participation. Thanks to both of you.
Forty minutes later
Max reminds his crew not to forget to call every four hours on their lay over.
-Is there any brave one who will risk to go out in town tonight, in all liberty, before we find ourselves in the Middle East? Ask Danyele tired but curious to explore London.
-Me for sure! Says David. I will go down to London and take a good last beer, who knows if we are not going to have any last minute changes and that they decide to send us earlier, explains David.
-Let’s meet in four hours, OK?, Ask Danyele.
-One minute you two. I will not miss London for the world’s gold. I never seen London either, says Louise.
-Well Danyele, says David, while holding her by the waist, our tête-à-tête diner is over.
-Sorry, what do I hear David? Ask Xenia a little bit jealous. You cheat on your girlfriend?
-No comment on that subject, says David while pulling a face. I am a free man! To be or not to be? Is the question of the day ladies.
He bends over and makes them a big bow.
_Bravo! Bravo! Screams the girls.
Xenia shows him her hand on which he puts a hand kiss while starring at her. He turns around to the others and adds up:
-To live today and die tomorrow! This does not bother me at all because I would of lived fully, don’t you think so ladies?
-I would love to join you my darlings!, says Tiffany while lighting up a cigarette. I can be your guide if you want. I know London better than Montreal.
-We will come too!, says Jade and Lolitta.
-Come and take your keys, you guys. I would love to go to bed. Hurry up!, says Max impatient.
Four hours later in London’s tube.
-I will take you to the flea market, suggests Tiffany. There are bargains and it is not too far from the famous Harold’s. What do you think?
-I like it, says Xenia. But is there a place to eat in your itinerary? Personally, I am starving.
-Don’t worry. I know a little restaurant on St- Christopher Street near Selfridges or we could go in Soho after we can walk around in Piccadilly Circus area to take a good beer and will go back to the hotel in a big black taxi, while making a quick tour of the city. As a group we will get a better price and the taxi drivers are well qualified. They have to study London, politic... and all the in subject and all the gossips on top of London’s history. They are the only taxi drivers in the world that has to pass this kind of knowledge exam with their driving test.
-It’s fabulous Tiffany that you joined us, says Jade. We won’t pass the entire night to look around and loose precious time. Our hours are counted on this lay over.
-Do you realize that we are in England. Ah! It is so exciting, comments Xenia. I never had the chance to be here before. It’s super.
The underground tube is full of people. A group of individuals get in abruptly in the wagon. They have a very special allure and discuss between each other in a very aggressive manner.
Their heads are shaved and tattooed, some of them have their hair cut the Indian way and bleached red and blue. They have chains at their neck like dogs necklace. They are really scary.
- I am a little bit scare, admits Xenia to Danyele, seated beside her.
Danyele looks at the road map.
-Don’t worry. We are getting off at the next station. Isn’t it right Tiffany? Ask Danyele just to be sure.
-Yes! Indeed darling, she answers with a British accent.
The guys are getting close to the girls and put themselves in front of them. The tube stops and the flight attendants are trying to get out, but the group of guys are starting to give them all the misery of the world to get out of the tube, and decide to get out as well.
-My purse! My purse! Hey my purse! Yells Jade. Come on bunch of losers ! Give me my purse!
Lolitta starts to scream too, but in Spanish. She screams so loud that everybody turns around. She tries to help Jade but the guys are blocking her way. Xenia turns back and observes what is going on without doing anything. Danyele, Louise and Tiffany are also screaming going towards the guys to take back Jade’s purse. One of these individuals is behind David and blocks him from getting closer. We can read on his leather jacket the inscription Skin Head.
Lolitta, Jade and the others are starting to push the guys to try to get Jade’s purse back. David steps back to go forward but on the left side. The taller one looks at him and starts laughing because David is really not what we call a husky he is more on the tall and slim side. David doesn’t get intimidated. The girls still scream and struggle to get the purse. They manage to get the bag. One of the guy takes out a knife and grabs Jade by the arm and threatens her with his knife.
David addresses himself to the taller of the group.
-I know self defence. If you don’t leave now I will have to use it on you.
-The girls step back behind David who is without flinching. The SkinHead dashes on David but David remains calm and does not move. The SkinHead starts to howl like a savage and David grabs his wrist with the knife and manages to make him let go of the knife. Another individual bends over to pick up the knife but Lolitta screams so loud to alert David whom turns quickly and give him a good kick in the balls. The guy crawls on the ground. A third one rushes on David screaming like an animal and David jumps in the air and inflict him a radical kick in the face. Jade manages to gets out of his arms and rushes to join the girls. Two other members of the Skinhead ran away. The girls explode of happiness and jump at David’s neck.
-Are you alright? ask a police officer to Jade.
-Yes! Yes! Says Jade shaken up. And I have my bag too!
-I must go and try to catch those guys, says the police officer, hurrying up.
-You know karate? Ask Xenia stunned.
-Tae-kwon-do, I am not the kind of guy who fights but it is now an open secret. At the size that I have, I preferred to ensure my defence this way. When I was young I often confronted hooligans that were taking a lot of pleasure to fight against me. One day, I had enough and decided to take some courses.
-What do you think of a good beer you guys? Suggests Jade. I owe you this. Thanks everybody.
-I have no voice and I am dying for a drink, says Lolitta.
Jade jumps at her neck.
-You have a thunder of a voice. You must have a sore throat now, no?
-Come on, suggests Tiffany let’s not stay here. Let’s go for a beer so we can rest a bit and hide for a while. We never know, maybe the others went to get some more members of their gang and hit on us again.
-Stop! You scare me! Confesses Xenia while passing her arms under David’s. Ah! It doesn’t bother you if I pass my arm under your, I feel more secure.
-It’s fine like this!, he answers putting his hand on top of hers and bringing her closer to him.
Lolitta pushes Louise to tell her to look at Xenia and David.
-Pepito mi corazon...starts singing Lolitta softly.
Louise starts laughing.
They go in the first pub they see to taste a good English ale.
After a long relaxing moment, they are ready to confront London again.
-Are we still far from Harold’s? ask Danyele to Tiffany
-No, and let’s go all of us. It’s shopping time in London. Just a little bit further we can see the famous Harold’s of London.
-Here we are! Says Tiffany finally. Listen, I love you all but to shop in gang is not my forte darlings!. Let’s give each other a time to meet.
-Good idea, says David. Let’s say in an hour at the same place.
-But tell me where is the flea market ?, ask Jade who wanted to go there instead.
-Look! You see Simon store there. The flea market is right beside it. You go down two three steps and you are there, explains Tiffany while pointing at it.
-OK bye everybody. I want to go buy some lipstick, says Danyele while walking rapidly toward the store.
-Wait for me Danyele, says Tiffany who is trying to reach her, I will go with you.
She takes her under her arm and they get in Harold’s together.
Lolitta and Jade preferred to go to the flea market. Xenia waits a few minutes before making a decision, but she knows very well that she is waiting for David to see where he is going.
-Aren’t you going to the flea market? ask David
-Yes! But not now.
-Hum! I would love to find a little something for my girlfriend, says David thinking out loud.
-Good idea! She says a little bit deceived to hear David telling her that.
She rushes into Harold’s and tries to lose him. She gets into the elevator to hide.
“Ah! Stupid me! What am I thinking? That a guy like David could be interested in me? He’s just a good friend that’s all, like everybody else”
Gone in her thoughts she forgets to press the button and the doors open again on the first floor. She finally decides to get out since she lost her appetite for shopping. She passes in front of a postal card rack and chooses one for her boyfriend. She pays the clerk and sits down at the chocolate counter. She orders one hot chocolate and chooses a few chocolates to indulge her gluttony. She takes out of her purse a pen and starts writing her postal card.
“ Dear Alain, I think a lot about you these days, and the more I think of you, the more I realize that we are getting apart you and I instead of getting closer.
I should render myself to the evidence to cancel our engagement before it is too late to go back. As soon as I come back from Kuwait, I will look for another apartment.
Kiss you, Xenia.”
She puts the postal card in an envelope and seals it. She takes a good sip of hot chocolate and devours two pieces of chocolate without even taking time to taste them well. She notices David a little bit further who is looking at books. She turns around so that he cannot see her, but too late he is coming her way.
-Ah! Xenia, you will spoil your dinner with these chocolates he says while steeling one from her.
-Hum.... they are good!
-Yes! These are Godiva chocolates. Did you find something for your girl friend?
She asks a little bit curious to know his tastes.
-No aaa...anyway...I will have enough time in Kuwait to do so. I am not in the mood to shop. That’s all. One coffee please, he asks to the waiter.
-You know David, you could always give a hand on the construction sites while in Kuwait.
-Ah! Yes this is a good idea. I did not think of it. It’s funny Xenia, but I will leave the construction to the workers that we will go pick up in third world countries. I certainly don’t want to steal them the opportunity to have a job and earn some money. No!
He takes another chocolate.
- Hum.... they are really good these black chocolates.
He looks at Xenia a little bit uncomfortable that he had said “black” at the end.
-You ate them so now you pay the bill. David there is none left.
-Wait, I will choose some more.
Outside
Louise went on the other side of the street to take a picture of the store, without noticing it she found herself al alone. But she is happy to be in London, it doesn’t bother her. She hurries up to take some pictures and crosses the street rapidly to go to Harold’s. But in a hurry to get there she does not look at the traffic direction and finds herself face to face in front of a two level bus. Ceased by the scariness of this mastodon, she can’t move, she stays there petrified. The lights are blinding her completely. The driver blows the horn at her, but Louise doesn’t move. Fortunately a young Englishman quick like a thunder takes her toward him to brings her back on the sidewalk.
-Are you alright? he enquires right away.
-Keep your girlfriend out of the way! screams the bus driver.
Louise stays there without saying a word.
-Are you all right, Miss?
-Oui, Yes well...
She takes the time to look at him well. The Englishman is absolutely charming, he is handsome and well built for an English.
-No...I am not well. I will be better if I can buy you a beer to thank you for what you have done for me.
-He looks at her and starts to laugh.
-Bien sûr! You speak French. I speak a little bit of French. An English never refuses to drink a beer especially in such a beautiful company. I would be crazy! My name is Gregory! And you?
-My name is Louise. You know Gregory you saved my life. Thank You! Thank You very much! Gregory.
-Allons! come we can drink a jug of beer, here.
Lolitta and Jade are going to the flea market walking slowly.
-Jade, says Lolitta. It’s funny but suddenly, I don’t know in which directions is the flea market. Let me ask these two good looking muchachos and English police officer on top of it!
-Where is the flea market, senors!, she screams to have their attention. The flea market por favor! What? Where? Why not!
Jade starts to laugh, she can’t hold it anymore, and the two police officers get closer to them laughing as well.
-Come with us beautiful strangers, we will show you!
-My name is Lolitta, and you officer?
-I’m Kent and this is Mitch.
-My name is Jade. Please to meet you. We are flight attendants from Montreal.
-Where do you stay? Ask one of the Bobbies.
-At the Holiday Inn, answers Lolitta.
At the same time, the radio of one of the Bobbies is transmitting information.
-OK, will be there! Answers Kent. Sorry girls
-Cheerios! gorgeous English guys, says Lolitta smiling.
They start to laugh and leave. Mitch turns back after a moment and says:
-Too bad we have to go!
-God! You are not shy Lolitta! Says Jade as soon as they left.
-Why keep inside things that we think. We have to say them you know. Life is too short to lose you time looking in the white of each other’s eyes or to say: I should of have, or I should of said this or that... We have to live now, not tomorrow Jade. When my mother left, you know, I still had a lot of things to do with her or to say to her and suddenly you realize it’s too late! Adios. You know, she says while changing the tone of her voice. It’s very difficult to live with this now that...it is too late. So, I said to myself, the other day, when it will be my time to die, I will be able to say: Bueno! I have done and I have seen many things in my life. Money is not everything in life. It’s the power of being able to do what we want and say what we want without remorse and regrets, compreendo? Ah! Here we are !
Jade hurries up while Lolitta stops to dry out some tears on her cheeks.
“Madré! I miss you so much” says Lolitta who fakes having fun. “I wish you were here with me...”
-Lolitta come on!
An hour later, the group meet again as schedule to eat and to make a tour of town, except for Louise. They are all seated in a big black London taxi, to discover the marvels of London: Ben’s clock, London’s bridge, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, Soho... when suddenly they arrive in front of Buckingham Palace Danyele starts to scream
-Louise! Louise! Look she is there!
Louise is in the company of the good looking Gregory and takes pictures of him with the Palace guardians.
-Stop the cab! Orders Danyele.
-Wouooh! Scream the others to attracts Louise’s attention.
-Ah! What are you doing here? She asks surprised to see them there.
-We are looking for you, says David seriously.
-Come on!, says her sister.
-Wait, I will take a picture of all of you and I want to introduce you to Gregory. Gregory this is my crew and my sister Danyele.
-Please to meet you, says Danyele and the others.
-Louise, says Gregory, let me take the picture, go with them.
-Good idea Gregory!
They all take place in front of Buckingham palace to take a beautiful picture and get back on the taxi.
-Gregory I have to go, the hotel is close to the airport, I hope you understand.
-Yes! I will give you my business card and when you come back in town, you call me, OK?
-Ah! This is super, Thank You!
She kisses him on both cheeks, and he takes advantage and kisses her on the lips.
-Wouooh!, scream the others in the taxi.
-Thank You for saving my life, she says while getting on board the taxi.
-Come on Louise! the meter is running.
She gets on board and sits on David’s lap.
-This guy saved my life. I was at an inch close to be hit by a two level bus.
-And me, says Jade, I’ve been at two fingers to have my purse robbed.
-We got out of this pretty good, indeed, says David. Two for us and zero for the English. Hey!
Back to the hotel.
-Somebody wants to have a last drink? Ask Tiffany going to the bar.
-No! I drank enough for tonight, says David.
-Me too, I am too tired, next time! answers Danyele.
-Good night Tiffany, my bed is calling me, says Jade while pressing on the elevator’s button.
-Nobody wants to stay, too bad!, she says getting into the bar.
-The Captain and the officers are still at the bar.
-Ah! I’ve seen this before, she says as she sees them. A double scotch please, Darling!
-An other round please, asks George to the bartender.
-You did not go into town? ask Tiffany.
-No! We preferred to enjoy this at the most since we are going to be expatriated for one week or maybe two in the desert. Without alcohol for a week it’s tough, reveals George who enjoys more than his share of drinking.
-There is no alcohol at all in this country? Ask Tiffany astonished.
-Are you going to find this difficult? Ask the Captain.
-Me? Not really and you she ask right off the bat.
-No! not really.
-So let’s shut up and drink, my darlings. To our health!
Two hours later
-Last call!, announces the bartender.
They are still there talking
No comments:
Post a Comment