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Melbourne

JUSTIN

The plane lands at Melbourne Airport after the usual bumpy approach, and as we taxi to the gate, I pull out my phone to text Axel. But I have no service, which is odd. I turn off the phone, restart it, and try again. But still there’s no service.

The rustle of people standing up and gathering their belongings fills the cabin. I'm still sitting in my seat, frowning at my phone, which doesn't help at all.

People are starting to shuffle down the aisle and the person in the window seat next to me is giving me increasingly less subtle signals that they want to get moving. I scowl at my phone one more time, stand up and grab my bag from the overhead locker.

Looks like we're exiting from the back of the plane, so I slip my phone in my pocket before heading down the stairs and we all trundle our way across the tarmac. I’ll try again in the airport.

Then it occurs to me that I have a problem. How will I call my parents to let them know I’ve arrived and where to meet me?

That problem is solved as I enter the terminal. My parents are right there and from the expression on their faces, this is not good.

What has happened?