Page 10 of The Christmas Catch

“Indeed. But that might be up the spout now.” Morgan tilted her head to the ceiling just as the old man from the plane walked by. Her blonde hair sparkled under the airport strip lights.

“Any luck getting your luggage?” he asked.

“Not much luck with anything right now,” Morgan replied.

“Hope you get home eventually.”

“You, too!”

He gave her a smile and walked on.

Morgan turned back to Ali. “I might have to bite the bullet and get a train. Although, I remember checking and they were all nearly fully booked months ago.”

“They are. I checked last week. And then just now while I was waiting in line.”

“Right.” Morgan looked over Ali’s shoulder.

Ali turned and followed her line of vision to the signs pointing towards the various modes of transport. Train. Bus. Taxi. Car hire.

“The buses will probably be rammed, too.” Ali paused. Car hire. She really didn’t want to be trapped in a car with Morgan the entire way home. It would be far too much for her 12-year-old self to take. But she might have to get over that. Or else, spend Christmas back at her flat. Not such a bad thought, but her mum would kill her.

So would Tobias.

“We could try car hire.”

Morgan’s gaze drilled into her.

Twelve-year-old Ali’s stomach flipped. She rolled her eyes at herself internally.

“I can’t drive.”

Ali blinked. “You can’t?” She didn’t know anyone who didn’t drive.

Morgan shook her head. “No. I mean, I can, but I haven’t for ages. I don’t have my licence on me.”

“But I do, and I can.” She glanced back at the sign. “So shall we try?”

Relief swept across Morgan’s face. “Yes please.”

Alinodded in the direction of the hire companies. “Let’s go.”

CHAPTER5

No cars available. That was the sign on every single car hire desk when they ran through from the departures hall, dodging large swathes of confused passengers. They weren’t the only ones in this predicament, which made it even more essential they made it out of the airport and the city before all routes out shut down. Yes, Morgan was thinking like she was in a disaster movie, but that was her jam today.

“Okay, let’s think.” Ali sucked on her top lip. Panicked queer energy had replaced her former cool queer energy. But she was still cute, if a little freaked.

But no, Morgan couldn’t think about that.

There were more pressing matters at hand.

Like finding their luggage and a route south.

She held up a hand. She was trained to problem-solve. She needed to put her skills into action.

“We need to split up. You see if you can get our luggage before we leave.” Because they were leaving, however it might happen. “I’ll come up with a plan of action after I check buses and trains. Two-pronged approach for the win?”

Ali took in her plan, then gave a nod.