Friday morning and Gemma Davies walked into the airport terminal and looked around the crowded departure area. A P.A. to the sales director of a pharmacy company, she was off to Belgium for the weekend to get the signatures of a new partner on their distribution agreement. Gemma sighed heavily; travelling alone was such a drag, and something she never got used to. The part she loathed the most was walking into hotel restaurants and eating alone. She looked around searching out the check in desk.
Mike Andrews walked into the same airport departure area three minutes later. Also off to Belgium and his current client's office near the airport. Consequently he too was making for the very same check-in desk where he joined the short queue and waited his turn. He barely noticed the attractive woman two places ahead of him. A self employed IT consultant he much preferred working from home and loathed the unfriendliness of most hotels. As he shuffled forward, his mind was full of the problems ahead. He handed over his e-ticket confirmation and passport, muttered "Yes" to the usual security questions and then took back his passport and boarding card and made for the security checks. An hour later he was in the queue for the plane. A vague recollection of the girl in the queue at check-in passed through his head as he scanned the people in front of him.
Gemma boarded the plane and easily found her window seat midway back. This was another part she hated; she always seemed to get the young egotistical up and coming businessman, who thought that she would be interested in his every word – how wrong they were! She gazed out of the window paying little attention to the people loading luggage below her.
Then Gemma became aware of one of the endless stream of people pausing by her row. She resisted the urge to look up but then heard a deep male voice "Good morning."
Gemma glanced up and found she was looking at a man, slightly older than her, with searching eyes and an inquisitive smile. " Good morning" she replied and then smiled; maybe he would be interesting company she thought to herself. He certainly seemed polite and not at all forward.
The man grinned as he sat down "I have to say that's a great relief. I usually find myself stuck with the little old granny, who tell me their life story and show me all their family pictures! Not the most interesting of conversations!"
Gemma smiled back "Well I usually end up with the guy who thinks he's the next Bill Gates! and insists on telling me all the details of every deal he has made in the last year, along with every city he has visited! Then seems to think I would be desperate to have dinner with him!"
"Seems like we have both got lucky then!" He said smiling, " Mike Andrews, by the way", and he held out his hand.
"Gemma Davies", and reaching forward Gemma shook his hand, noting how strong his grip was; maybe she had got lucky after all, it had been so long, too long, since she had been with a man. Something about this guy excited her and she felt stirrings inside her that had not happened in quite a while.
They spent the short flight chatting effortlessly about their daily lives, and respective jobs. It was almost like 2 old friends, relaxed, and each seeming to be genuinely interested in the other. Both did find the other attractive, but neither felt the situation right to broach the subject. Gemma felt that her earlier comments may have put Mike off, but it was too late now, they were about to land, and Gemma had no intention of showing the desperation for company she was feeling.
As they stood to leave the plane, Mike spoke again, " thanks for your company Gemma – I think that was one of the most enjoyable flights I have had for a long time". Gemma went to respond, but before she could speak, he continued, " Hope your trip goes well, Enjoy your weekend!" and with a quick wave of his hand he was gone.
Gemma felt disappointed, he had seemed a great guy, and attractive to boot, still yet again that was the story of her life.
Mike left the aircraft, and wished he had had the courage to ask Gemma to dinner tomorrow, but her comments about pushy go-getters had put him off from asking her, despite the fact that she had seemed to enjoy his conversation. He had to admit to himself she had a certain sexiness about her, he could imagine the feel of her skin, her perfume, his groins stirred at the images in his mind, two bodies, naked, entwined...
Too late now he cursed silently to himself and anyway, he had several meetings to attend. He collected his bags off the carousel and marched quickly out of the airport to the waiting queue of taxis.
Mike quickly arrived at the hotel, and made his way to the reception to book in. Looking at his watch, he realised he just had time to book in, and dump his bags in his room, before his client was scheduled to arrive for their update meeting.
Gemma meanwhile arrived at the offices of their new distributor and delivered the all important papers to the receptionist. Gemma waited while the girl called through to the commercial director. The French was to fast for Gemma to follow but she heard enough to know that they were expecting the papers. The receptionist smiled back "They will eb checked by our lawyers and will be ready for you on Monday morning. Gemma had hoped that they would be ready that night – she did not particularly want to spend the weekend in Brussels but she had been told to expect it and this was now her lot. She grabbed her carry-on bag and hailed a taxi.
Her fall-back plan was to relax today back at the hotel and then perhaps some shopping or sightseeing over the weekend. Alone, unfortunately, but at least in the shops and museums she could lose herself in the crowds – just those dreaded mealtimes and evenings to contend with!
Ten minutes later; her taxi pulled up outside the hotel. Gemma grabbed her bag and went straight to the reception desk.
Mike was awaiting in the lounge area of the same hotel, reviewing his papers when he suddenly saw a familiar figure, for a second he couldn't connect whom and then realised it was Gemma Davies from the aeroplane! She must be staying here too; maybe just maybe this was fate he mused. It looked like he may get a second chance. He was about to make his way across to her when he saw his client approaching across the lobby. "Damm" he cursed inwardly; then smiled and offered his hand in greeting.
Gemma stood at the desk waiting for the receptionist to complete her booking. Glancing around, the hotel appeared busy, but she was suddenly aware of male voices in the distance as someone walked past her. By habit she turned to look and saw a couple of businessmen arriving for a meeting walking across the lobby towards the bar. As her gaze followed them towards the lounge area she almost gasped aloud as she realised the guy they were meeting was Mike from the flight. He must be staying here! Her mind raced, she had been given a second chance. She just hoped she would be able to 'accidentally' bump into him over the weekend. Collecting her key, she picked up her bags and went up to her room.
