Three's a Crowd

One way or another, they were determined to make this a holiday to remember

- Christine Sutton

Amy gasped as she stepped from the plane and a blast of heat hit her full in the face. ‘Phew, if this is what it’s going to be like for the next two weeks, I might not survive!’

‘Don’t panic,’ Carol breezed. ‘Remember the engines add a few degrees.’

She clomped on down the steps in her wedges and Amy followed. They stood at the bottom watching Nicola descend. She did so cautiously, clutching the handrail as though expecting the steps to part company with the fuselage at any moment. Amy bit back a smile, reminded of her own first flight seven years ago. She could well understand Nic’s uncertainty.

Amy and Carol had been friends since secondary school and Amy had been surprised, even a little hurt, when Carol had asked if she minded having another girl along on their annual fortnight away.

‘I know it’s always been just us, Amy, but Nic’s had a tough time of it lately. Broken engagement, health scare, and redundancy from her last job. She’s a walking soap opera. I’m hoping a couple of weeks away will put the smile back on her face.’

It would have taken a hard heart to refuse and so Amy had set aside her doubts and agreed.

Inside the terminal the passengers who’d been quicker off the mark were already swarming around the carousel, hauling off cases and passing them back to family and friends.

‘You stay with the bags,’ Carol told Nic, ‘Amy and I will get the stuff.’ She was off, jostling her way forward, elbows deployed like scythes on chariot wheels.

‘She doesn’t mean to be bossy,’ Amy chuckled. ‘She’s just a natural leader.’

‘I know,’ Nic answered. ‘I think she’s brilliant.’