Page 10 of The Mission

“Why did they side with him?”

“Mark might be an arsehole, but he’s Mr Popular. Do anything for anyone sort of guy. Skydives for charity. Sends flowers when someone’s ill. Always steps in to help when it’s needed. Organises all the fun things at work, especially events that involve alcohol. Plays hilarious practical jokes that I personally hated, but everyone else seemed to love, such as covering someone’s desk and everything on it with clingfilm. He’s generous, always happy and the life and soul of everything that he’s part of. No one wanted to believe it was his fault we split up.”It probably wasn’t.

Oh yes it fucking was!

Conrad bit his lip.Really—no more!

“He cheated on you. Nothing more to be said.” Arlo shot him a smile.

“Sounds like you need a new circle of friends.”

“Know any airline pilots?” Conrad asked. “I’ve heard they’re fun.”

Arlo grinned. “They can be. So before the flirting gets out of hand, are you single?”

“Yes.”

“Me too.”

“I’m shocked.” Conrad flinched. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud either.

“It’s completely shocking.” Arlo raised his eyebrows. “But truthfully, me being a pilot can cause difficulties in a relationship. It’s not a nine-to-five job. I might work three hours one day or twelve. I could be flying early morning or late at night. Sometimes I can get home every night, other times I don’t go home for a week, but then have three or four days off. I’d like to do long haul and that means even more time away from home, but I’d have ten to fifteen days free a month to see friends and family. Not everyone wants to put up with the irregularity of that.”

“Do you have a big family?”

“Four older brothers who are all married with kids.”

“I was an only child.” Conrad had longed for brothers or sisters, longed for parents who wanted him.

“Spoilt rotten?”

Conrad went for an enigmatic shrug.

The safety briefing began as the aircraft began to taxi and Conrad paid attention. When it was done and the cabin crew had been told to take their seats, Arlo leaned a little closer. “Are you usually that attentive?”

Conrad nodded. “They’re doing their job and they should be listened to. Even if you think you’ve heard it all before, the less time you need to spend thinking what you should be doing if there’s an emergency, the better. Though I figure you’ll know exactly what to do if anything happens so I’m going to glue myself to you.”

“That sounds fun.”

“Not if it’s Superglue.”

“Oh I don’t know.” Arlo grinned.

Conrad’s heart lifted off faster than the plane. He wasn’t a guy who went for quick encounters. He’d never used Grindr, never picked up or been picked up in a club or in a bar with the awareness that one night was all he wanted or all the other guy might be looking for. But maybe he could change. Maybe a week’s skiing over Christmas and having fun with Arlo would flick his life back into gear. Even if it was a different gear. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Conrad’s life was one of logic and rules and balance, measured and predictable. It was time he took a chance.

Moments after the seat belt sign went off, David appeared at Conrad’s side.

“There you are. Mark was wondering if you were on the plane. He thought you might have chick—er…decided not to come.”

David put his hand on Conrad’s shoulder and Conrad lifted it off.

“Tell him not to worry.”

David frowned. “I don’t think he was worried, just wondering where you were. Don’t you want to come sit next to me? We’re going to be sharing at the chalet, so I thought we could have a chat.”

What?“I like where I’m sitting. See you later.”

David glanced at Arlo and walked away.

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