Girl on a Plane: A sexy, sassy, holiday read. Cassandra O’Leary

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      Then he was there. Mr Blonde CEO, Too Hot To Handle, Anderson. He wrenched the door off the prone man, as if it weighed nothing at all, and leaned it against the wall beside her. Then he dusted off his hands and managed to still look perfect in his swanky suit. All in a day’s work, apparently. There was grumbling from the man on the floor as he sat up, but she was staring at the helpful passenger.

      “You okay?” Mr Anderson’s forehead crinkled attractively.

      She blinked, wondering if it was appropriate to thank him for being handsome. “Ah, yes, thank you.”

      “Good.” He nodded once and sauntered back to his seat.

      An odd one, Mr CEO To The Rescue. Surprisingly helpful, if a little un-talkative. With an arse she’d like to sink her teeth into. Oh, Lord. He was definitely a distraction she didn’t need.

      The heckler had got up on his feet, stumbling towards the restroom further down in Economy. At least he was out of her hair for a while.

      She faced the gaping hole of a doorway, the restroom on display. What was she going to do? People would still need to use the facilities, and she couldn’t see how she’d re-attach the door mid-flight. She didn’t exactly carry Superglue or an electric drill around. All she had handy was a pack of Hollywood tape. While it might keep her boobs in place in a low-cut dress, it probably wouldn’t do the trick on a six foot door.

      Out of the corner of her eye she spied Damian, standing back down the aisle, pretending to tidy up with a garbage bag in hand. He’d no doubt been watching the shenanigans, but had avoided helping her. Time for him to do some actual work.

      Her quick hand signal meant get over here now, lazy bones. He raised his perfectly groomed eyebrows in that insolent way of his. But he strolled over to her, taking his sweet time.

      “Here, Damian. I need a big strong man. But you’ll have to do. Hold this door for me.” She shoved it towards him and he caught it awkwardly, stumbling back a step.

      His head snapped from side to side, looking at her, then the door. “But, what? How long for?”

      “Until the flight’s on the ground, I expect. Hold it in place when someone needs the loo. Good man.”

      Before he could close his gaping mouth or refuse, she’d left him to it. One more problem dealt with. She almost tripped over the blankets by her feet, so she grabbed them and headed towards the heckler’s seat. She left him a couple of blankets to head off further complaints.

      On her way to catch up with Yuki, who was checking the luggage was secure in the overhead compartments, Sinead heard a tiny wail like a trapped kitten. Then she spotted him. Poor little man. The baby boy with his lone Mummy. She was standing and jiggling him in the aisle, bub draped over her shoulder. The wails grew louder, and his face was red and blotchy. The mother caught Sinead’s eye as she was about to pass her.

      “Here, take little Jack.” The woman shoved the baby at Sinead, none too gently. “I need the bathroom.”

      Sinead grabbed for him, tucking him into the crook of her neck, one hand under his tiny onesie-clad bottom. “Sure, happy to help.” It was part of her job, doing whatever was needed to help the first-class passengers. Anyway, she quite liked getting to cuddle the babies.

      Baby Jack’s cries grew piercing as the plane dipped. She clutched the little one close, his face nuzzled into her neck. The soft and sweet smell of baby actually soothed her, while she tried to soothe him. Her belly lurched and her ears popped painfully with the sudden change in air pressure. Horrible to an adult, aware of the situation, let alone a tiny child. On cue, he let out an earth-shattering wail.

      Sinead shooshed and spoke softly. “It’s all right, little man. Your Mummy will be back in no time.”

      She kissed the top of baby Jack’s head, downy hair tickling her nose. She giggled and patted him on the back in a slow rhythm. Raising her head, her gaze connected with a certain gorgeous CEO a few metres away. Watching her. Again. Eyes alight but darker now, if such a thing were possible. His face was flushed, a touch of pink across his cheeks. She could’ve sworn he was interested in her.

      Something warmed deep inside her belly. She found she didn’t mind his attention at all. It was nice to be appreciated. Her lips stretched upwards and she blinked.

      He clenched his jaw so a muscle twitched near his ear, then shifted his gaze away.

      Okay then. Not so interested. It didn’t matter. What would she do with a man like him? A series of naughty images flicked through her mind before she woke up to herself, with a tap on her shoulder.

      Baby Jack’s mother was back and Sinead handed him over. “He’s a treasure.”

      The elegant woman’s formerly tense expression softened. She actually grinned. “Thanks so much, I think so.”

      Sinead joined Yuki in making sure passengers’ hand luggage was safely stowed. Then the captain’s announcement grabbed everyone’s attention.

      “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to begin our descent into Singapore. We anticipate turbulence as we pass through some cloud. Please fasten your seatbelts and ensure you follow the directions of the crew. Thanks for your understanding. Cabin crew, prepare for landing.”

      Sinead and the rest of the crew went about the routine tasks, preparing for landing. All the safety checks were double and triple checked for good measure.

      The flight took a turn for the worse as they hit a heavy cloud bank. Battling for footing as the cabin trembled and shook with the gale-force winds, she and the crew got everyone ready for landing. Sinead did her job and did it well. A model of calm in a crisis. On the outside at least. When the passengers could see her. Inside was more panicky mayhem.

      The descent into Singapore was an adventure in itself, but one she wouldn’t want to repeat in a hurry. The plane was pummelled by horizontal rain and buffeting winds as they plunged through the clouds. It was dark as nightfall although only early afternoon. The passengers were all on edge, even the crew. It reminded her a little too much of a flight to the Philippines, when one engine had failed …

       No, no, no. Don’t think about it. A freak incident. It will never happen again.

      She sat beside Yuki as they entered Singapore airspace. Her friend grabbed Sinead’s hand atop the armrest and dug her fingernails into Sinead’s skin, leaving little half-moon shaped indentations. The pain provided welcome distraction from the images running through her head.

      Yuki murmured, “I’m going to see Daniel again. It will all be okay.”

      Sinead shuddered, cold creeping across her skin, then pressed back into her seat and closed her eyes.

      If the worst were to happen, she had no one special to say her final goodbyes to. How pathetic. Her family back home in Dublin popped into her mind. They’d all but disowned her years ago, but still it hurt her heart to think of them. Sometimes she missed them. Her little sister anyway. Bridie was a good egg in a bad batch. She’d better call Bridie once she got onto terra firma.

      As the plane began its final descent, Sinead crossed her fingers and prepared herself for touchdown. The engines screamed through her head along with the mantra: I will make it through this.

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