The phone kept ringing but Gerry hoped no-one would answer; he was praying it would be the automated voice of the answer phone that he’d hear. A text was too impersonal but a voicemail was acceptable. At least when she heard him speak, she’d hopefully detect the sadness he’d conjure up in his tone. He’d rehearsed what he was going to say.
“Hi, Michelle, it’s me… I’m really sorry. The flight’s been cancelled. It’s snowing here. Really heavy. It’s a blizzard. There are no planes in and out of the airport.… I don’t know when I’ll get another flight home. No-one seems to know what’s happening. I checked the Internet, and it looks like the snow’s going to be on for a couple of days at least. I can’t believe I’m going to spend Christmas Day in an airport. Hopefully they’ll put us up in a hotel. This is a nightmare…”
The automated voice started speaking and he hung up. He wasn’t ready to leave the message yet, although he didn’t want to talk to Michelle because he knew she wouldn’t be happy. She never was these days. In truth, neither was he. It would just be one more thing to argue about. She hadn’t wanted him to go.
“It’s so near Christmas,” she said.
“But it’s my job.”
“What if you can’t get home?”
Maybe she’d checked the weather, or was it just a premonition? What if he couldn’t get home? He’d miss waking up on Christmas morning and swapping presents they’d bought for each other; they’d both pretend it was just what they wanted, though most likely it wasn’t. He’d miss the silent car journey to his in-laws, and the pretence of happy families that they’d all play. He was sure that Michelle’s mum and sister both knew that things weren’t good between them.
“Will she be there?” Michelle had asked when he told her about the trip. She meant Elaine. It was misplaced jealousy. He kept telling her that. Elaine was just a work colleague. Nothing more, nothing less. They spent a lot of time together, but that was just an inevitable part of the job. He explained that to Michelle, though every mention of Elaine’s name still provoked an annoyed sigh, a pointed comment, angry words. She didn’t really believe anything was going on. He knew that. It was just another excuse to argue.
He could see Elaine walking towards him, weaving her way through the packed departure lounge, full of people staring up at the screens, as if they were hoping the cancellation notice alongside all the flights would somehow change if they looked at it long enough.
“I’ve got us a lift home,” she said, wearing a self-satisfied smile and anticipating his grateful thanks.
“How did you manage that?”
“One of Peter’s pals is working about ten miles away. He’s driving back up to Glasgow today so he’s going to stop off at the airport and get us. Peter’s spoken to him and it’s all arranged.”
“Is it safe to drive?”
“I don’t know, but at least we’ll be heading in the right direction. It’s got to be better than being stuck in this God-forsaken place.”
She gave him a strange look when he said that he’d be staying in the airport.
“But you’ll miss Christmas Day,” she said, her incredulous tone accompanied by a shake of the head. He shrugged. It would be too complicated to explain and he wasn’t sure it would make any sense if he tried.
He watched Elaine walking towards the exit as he pressed the mobile to his ear. As she disappeared out into the snow, the automated voice began speaking and he waited until the short tone signalled it was time for him to leave his message. He cleared his throat.
“Hi, Michelle, it’s me… I’m really sorry but I won’t be home for Christmas…”
You can email me at author@paulcuddihy.com or tweet me @PaulTheHunted
