Page 24 of The Old Gals’ Bucket List

PATTI

Patti had hardly slept all night worrying about the flight today.

She felt jittery with anxiety. She’d tried not to think about it as she and Sandra chatted away on the train, but once they entered into the airport the fear stepped in big time.

She was glad that she was travelling with Sandra, she didn’t think she’d have coped alone – she’d have turned back and gone home.

The airport was much bigger than she’d expected and so busy she felt that she couldn’t breathe.

It was all so confusing, with signs, screens and queues everywhere but thankfully Sandra was very composed and knew exactly what to do and where to go.

‘I usually go straight through security to get it over with, then have a drink and maybe a snack,’ she’d told Patti.

Patti nodded in agreement and followed her friend. Her hand shook so much as she placed her printed boarding pass on the scanning machine, but the scanner couldn’t read it and Sandra had to turn back to help.

Patti couldn’t believe that all the people milling around them weren’t nervous too.

They were all getting in a metal contraption and then flying through the sky!

The thought of it made her feel nauseous, shaky and want to run out of the airport.

Why had she agreed to do this? Why hadn’t she booked on a coach, travelled over on a ferry?

It might have taken a bit longer – days longer actually – but at least she’d have arrived safely.

It’s statistically safer on an aeroplane than on the road, she reminded herself.

And you’re doing it because you want to get over your fear of flying.

It’ll be a big thing to cross off your bucket list. And you can do it.

Stop panicking. Everything is going to be all right.

You are going to get on that plane and fly over to see Keith and Mary.

She looked around at all the people in the airport. There were old people, middle aged people, harassed parents travelling with their children.

If they could get on that plane, so could she.

Couldn’t she?

Sweat was breaking out on her brow and her hands were shaking as she started piling her things into the plastic trays on the security belt.

Sandra had suggested that they both travel in comfortable trousers, slip on shoes and a light cardigan over a tee shirt.

‘We don’t want to faff about with laces and belts when we’re going through security,’ she’d said.

‘And it’ll be warm in Spain.’ It was good advice, Patti realised as she slipped off her shoes and put them in the tray, while others struggled with laces and buckles.

Sandra was behind her, doing the same. Patti wondered if Sandra had told her to go first so she could make sure that Patti didn’t turn and run. If so, it was a good move as that’s exactly what she felt like doing.

‘You need to go through the scanner now. And don’t panic if it bleeps and they want to do a body check.’

Patti has seen a few airport scenes on the TV, so knew that this was only a pat down over clothes and that the customs staff often did random checks on passengers as a matter of course.

She hoped she wasn’t stopped though, she was sure that she would look so guilty they might decide she must be carrying drugs and insist on a full body search!

Sandra nudged her. ‘You’re being called through.’

Patti turned to see an officer beckoning her towards the big body scanner.

She cautiously walked through slowly, sighing with relief when it didn’t bleep.

Thank goodness for that. And there was her luggage waiting on the security belt for her to collect, it had all gone through the scanner fine too.

She’d been dreading being pulled aside, being told that she’d packed something she shouldn’t have done and couldn’t go on the plane.

Even though, right now, she didn’t want to go on the plane.

‘All done. Now let’s have a wander through duty free then have a cuppa and chill for a bit,’ Sandra suggested. ‘Are you hungry?’

Patti shook her head. ‘I don’t think I could keep anything down.

I’m a bag of nerves.’ She lifted her hands to chew her nails, as she always did when she was stressed, and pulled a face.

Yuk! She’d forgotten she’d put some of that STOP stuff on this morning.

It was working well actually, but the trouble was now she picked her nails instead of chewing them.

Sandra gave her a sympathetic look. ‘It’s only natural for you to be nervous as this is your first time, and not many people, even seasoned travellers, like the actual travelling, it’s tiring.

I always find that it helps to think about the place you’re going to rather than the journey.

Maybe focus on seeing your brother, finding out where he lives, catching up on his news.

When you get there you’ll be so glad that you did this. ’

Sandra was right, she would be pleased with herself. It would be so good to see Keith and Mary again.

‘I know. I wish I could just teleport myself there though.’

Sandra grinned. ‘Me too. It would make life much easier, wouldn’t it? Mind, can you imagine your brother’s face if you appeared out of thin air right in front of him?’

Patti chuckled. ‘Yeah, you’d have to get the logistics right – and maybe check with them that they were decent!’

The light-hearted exchange lifted her spirits. Look on it as an adventure, you’re ticking off one of the things on your bucket list, Patti told herself.

‘Remember how scared I was about going swimming? I’d never have been able to do that first lesson without your support – and wearing all those daft goggles and snorkels you brought along!

Come on, let’s have a giggle looking at all the madly expensive stuff in duty free.

We can take a few pics of us trying on the accessories and put them on our Insta page,’ Sandra suggested.

Patti grinned. ‘That’s a great idea!’

They headed for an accessory shop and Sandra picked up a red felt fedora. ‘What do you think of this?’ she asked, popping it onto her head.

‘You need some shades!’ Patti picked up some designer sunglasses and handed them over. Sandra put them on and pouted as Patti took a photo.

The assistant came over. ‘Can I help you?’ she asked.

‘We’re taking some photos for our Instagram page,’ Patti showed her the page. ‘Is that okay?’

The assistant smiled. ‘Certainly. If you tag us in we’ll share them. It’s good publicity for us.’

‘No problem!’ Luckily Kit had shown her how to tag people in.

‘Let me take a photo of you both,’ the assistant offered.

So Patti and Sandra both tried on several hats, scarves and shades. It was such fun and the assistant snapped away. Quite a crowd had gathered around and were watching them.

‘Are they influencers?’ Patti heard a woman whisper, and she grinned. She guessed that they were!

‘Remember to tag us in and we’ll follow your page and share the photos,’ the assistant said as they put the accessories back. ‘Enjoy your holiday.’

‘We’re going to see my brother and his wife in Spain,’ Patti told her proudly. ‘It’s my first flight.’

‘Is it? Congratulations. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.’

Patti felt a lot more relaxed as they made their way over to a restaurant. ‘You know, I think I could eat a little snack. A cookie perhaps.’

‘Great – you grab a table and I’ll get the refreshments. Tea?’ Sandra asked.

‘Please.’

Patti flicked through the photos whilst she was waiting for Sandra to come back, there was quite a queue at the restaurant. She chuckled, they looked like they were having great fun. When Sandra returned, they chose a couple of photos to upload with the caption:

At the airport to tick another one of the bucket list! #getoverfearofflying.

Then Patti tagged in the accessory shop.

‘This is more fun than I expected,’ Patti said as they sipped their tea and bit into the crisp chocolate chip cookies that Sandra bought them both.

She looked around and took in their surroundings.

There were lots of cafés and restaurants and a selection of shops.

‘I didn’t realise there were all these shops, as well as the Duty-Free section in the airport.

That must be handy if you’ve forgotten to pack something. ’

‘Yes, and if you want to take back a present for someone. Actually, I should buy something for Mary and Keith for putting me up,’ Sandra said. ‘I’ll get something when we’ve finished here.’

Snack finished, they had a look around the shops for a gift. Sandra picked up some shortbread biscuits in a souvenir England tin. ‘Would Mary and Keith like these, do you think?’

‘Definitely, and the tin is a wonderful keepsake. I’ll take them a big box of chocolates to share. And we could treat them to a meal as a thank you,’ Patti said.

‘Good idea.’ Sandra looked at her watch. ‘Our gate will be up soon. We’ll take a look at the screens when I’ve paid for this.’

‘I’m glad you’re with me, I’d have had no idea what to do!’ Patti said.

‘You soon pick it up,’ Sandra told her. ‘And you can always ask the staff, or other travellers, if you need help.’

Gifts paid for, they made their way over to the screens. ‘There’s our flight and the gate number is up,’ Sandra said. ‘Come on, let’s make our way there. No rush, we’ve got plenty of time.’

They strolled over to the correct area and took a seat. Then Patti’s nerves took over again.

‘I’m not sure I can do this.’ She clutched the side of the chair in the airport lounge with shaking hands.

‘Take some deep breaths,’ Sandra said softly. ‘Breathe in through your nose and as you count to five in your head, hold it, then let the breath out slowly through your mouth. I’ll do it with you.’

Patti nodded and turned to face her friend. Together they inhaled, held their breath, then slowly exhaled. They did this a few times and Patti was relieved that she felt a little more relaxed.

‘If you do that whenever you feel panicky, it will help you destress,’ Sandra told her.