After the argument, Holly had spent her time reading on the iPad. No matter how much she tried to bury herself in her book, she couldn’t forget the altercation. She was split between feeling angry at Victoria’s bossy behaviour and guilty at causing her pain. Victoria had seemed genuinely upset that Holly wanted to leave her so soon.
Holly wanted to talk about it, but Victoria’s sudden silence and refusal to even look at her was a clear indication that the subject was closed. Soon after, Victoria had fallen asleep, or at least presented a good approximation of sleep.
The crew started to breeze through the cabin, issuing instructions at a blistering rate. There was talk of window blinds, chairs, hand luggage, restrooms, and tables, all at such a dizzying speed that Holly struggled to keep up.
She decided that the whole flying business was bonkers. Clearly the airline staff just enjoyed the buzz they received in bossing first-class passengers around.
During the flurry of activity, Victoria opened her eyes and looked around with a calculating glance. Holly watched as she pushed a button and returned her seat to an upright position. Then she pushed her handbag under the seat in front of her with a shoeless foot.
Holly hadn’t reclined her seat and her luggage was in the overhead compartment, so she presumed that she was ready for the horror that was about to be the landing.
She itched to say something to Victoria. But after the hours of uneasy silence, she really didn’t know what it was. She was so grateful for everything that Victoria was doing for her. Holly felt she needed to somehow pay her back, but what Victoria had given her was truly priceless. And now she wanted to give her more, a guestroom, a job, a life. Her old life. But Holly didn’t remember that old life, she didn’t even know if she wanted that life back.
“Seatbelt,” Victoria whispered.
“Oh!” Holly glanced down at her lap and quickly pulled the belts together. “Thank you.”
She sensed that Victoria wanted to say more. She was relieved that she wasn’t the only one struggling with the way they had left things.
After a few more moments, Victoria spoke so softly that Holly could only just hear her.
“I’m sorry if you feel I am… mothering you… too much. I don’t wish to lay down the law or use words like ‘forbid.’ It just happens because I worry. I don’t want to see you hurt again. I feel I know best and I want to protect you from things, but I know that is wrong. I know you need to live your own life.”
Holly got the distinct impression that Victoria didn’t often apologise or admit fault.
“Thank you,” Holly replied. “I can see you care for me a lot, and I really do appreciate that. I think maybe I need to try to take my independence one step at a time. I think I have a tendency to leap in with both feet. We need to meet each other halfway…”
“Agreed.”
Victoria looked relieved and her tensed shoulders slowly started to lower. They shared a smile.
It was short-lived, as the plane banked sharply. Holly pressed her back into the chair and grabbed hold of the armrests.
Why people continued to fly, she would never understand.