Emilia leaned her head on the window and watched as the men below the plane manhandled luggage. She was suddenly very glad she hadn’t brought any. The cases were being tossed from a tiny truck to a conveyor belt in a way that Emilia was sure wouldn’t do the contents any good.
But still she stared at the events unfolding below her. Anything to distract from the pain in her chest at having to be parted from Amber. She didn’t know how she’d had the strength to walk away. Everything inside her was saying that she should stay.
She couldn’t. She couldn’t impose herself on Amber’s kindness anymore. She had to leave and go back home.
Even if home suddenly felt different.
For the first time in her adult memory, Emilia felt as if home was somewhere she didn’t have to be. It was a surprising feeling. She had always assumed she wanted to stay home because she felt safe there. Now it was becoming clearer to her that she stayed because she felt she had to be there.
Finally admitting what had happened to rip her perfect family apart had opened up parts of Emilia that she hadn’t thought about in many years. She recalled rushing home from school to look after her grandfather as he became increasingly frailer.
When he had died, and she was completely alone, she’d felt the weight of responsibility bear down on her shoulders with a ferocious weight. It was her duty to keep her grandmother’s legacy alive and to manage the Lund home to the best of her ability. Even if she was still practically a child.
It was unfair, but she had had no one to explain that to. So, she’d got on with her designated role, all the while burying her feelings about the unjust situation. Who was she to complain? She was alive and healthy. That was more than could be said for her beloved family.
The floodgates were opening. Things that she never thought about, or spoke about, were bubbling to the surface. It was as if the suspended animation she had been in was finally beginning to crack and she was able to process what had happened.
She felt relief. As if she were waking up from a very long sleep. Which she supposed grief was.
“Is this seat taken?” someone asked.
“No,” Emilia murmured, still staring at the poor luggage being battered around below the plane.
“Then I’ll sit here.”
The person sat beside her.
“Okay,” Emilia agreed.
“Unless you’d like for me to leave?”
It took a few moments for Emilia to realise what was happening.
I know that voice, she thought. Can it really be?
She slowly turned, hoping that her ears were not playing tricks on her.
“Amber!” She looked around the cabin wildly, expecting it to be some kind of joke or illusion.
“Yes, but don’t tell anyone. I’m supposed to be in 27A.” Amber grinned. “Oh, I hope you can lend me some clothes when we get there, I forgot to pack a bag.”
“You’re here!” Emilia dragged her into a hug. “You’re actually here.”
“I couldn’t say goodbye.”
“You… you paid for a flight?” Emilia leaned back and stared at Amber in shock.
“Yep. And, wow, do Scandinavian Airlines know how to charge for a last-minute flight.”
“I’ll pay you back,” Emilia decided immediately.
“No need, I have a new job. My boss pays me well.” Amber winked.
“You’re… you’re really here?” Emilia still couldn’t believe it.
“I am. I haven’t worn this coat since I came back from Sweden, it still has my passport in it. And then I thought, ‘Why not?’”
Emilia grabbed hold of Amber’s hand tightly, fearful to let go.
“Seriously, I either need to borrow some clothes or go to the mall.” Amber laughed. “I’ve never boarded a plane with just my passport, keys, and purse before. You’re a bad influence on me, Emilia Lund.” She leaned in, placing a sweet kiss on Emilia’s lips.
“I am. A terrible influence,” Emilia agreed. “And you can borrow my clothes. Or we can go to the mall. I can, I’m brave now.”
Amber chuckled. “We’ll see. We don’t want to use all your bravery up so soon. Besides, I might like searching through your wardrobe as much as you did mine.”
“I think I’d like that,” Emilia admitted. “But I will need to go to the mall anyway. Maybe you can drive us?”
Amber looked at her in surprise. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”
“That is what I want.” Emilia wrapped her hands around Amber’s upper arm and held on, afraid if she let go that she might wake up from the nicest dream she’d had in a long time.
“And what are we buying at the mall?” Amber asked in a whisper, obviously not wanting to break the mood.
“You’ll see,” Emilia said. The smile broke out in a shiver on her face. “I’m very glad you’re here.”
“I’m very glad I’m here, too.” Amber brought her hand up to place it over Emilia’s. “You do indeed cause havoc, but I think I like it.”