Page 93 of Glow

Scott leant across and kissed him on the cheek. “If you get a fine, I’ll pay it.”

“Fucking move,” Tyler shouted.

Scott popped open the door and almost fell out of the car.

“We’ll park up,” Eddie shouted out of the rear window as Tyler lurched back into the traffic, earning himself more grief from his fellow motorists. “Whatever you need, remember.”

Scott waved his two friends off. He was so lucky to have a mobile support service. Not many people could brag about that.

As he dashed toward the doors, he silently prayed to anyone who would listen.

Please. I need him.

Scott ran into the departure lounge. Gatwick was an international airport and he had no idea which airline Prin was flying with.

Focus.

Scott ran the length of the desks. Nothing.

He’s probably checked in online.

Desperation filled him closely followed by tears. He’d come this far. In the car, Scott had tried Prin’s mobile but it was switched off. It appeared Prin didn’t want to speak to anyone.

Frantically looking around, Scott saw a security guard.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

He dashed over to her.

“Please, can you help me?” he spluttered. “My friend is due to fly to Bangkok today. His wife has gone into early labour. I need to speak to him.”

“He’s going to Bangkok when his wife is pregnant?”

“The baby is coming early. Please, we don’t have time.”

She nodded. “Name?”

“My name? Scott Fitzgerald.”

“Your friend.”

“Oh, Prin Lum. What are you going to do?”

She unclipped the radio from her belt. “Donald. Can you get on the tannoy? I need a Prin Lum to come to the security desk in the departure lounge. It’s a matter of extreme urgency.”

Scott almost burst into tears again. He needed to get it together. If Prin did come, he wanted to look his absolute best.

“Thank you,” he said. “Thank you so much.”

The wait was excruciating. Donald made his announcement seemingly to no avail. Every face that Scott scanned in the vast space was not the one he yearned for.

After five minutes, he turned to the security guard. “Oh well, perhaps he’s gone already. Thank you for trying.”

“I’m sure he’ll put his phone on before the flight,” she replied. “If you like, I can get in touch with the gate. He must be on the one o’clock, that’s the only flight to Bangkok today.”

“He won’t be at the gates for ages,” Scott said. “But yeah, please ask him to contact Scott. I’ll be waiting in Starbucks. I can’t leave without him.”

“You must be a very good friend.”