The Flip Side by James Bailey

Author:James Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Published: 2020-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

Autumn

19

We are standing in front of the departures board at Bristol Airport. A seemingly endless procession of holidaymakers passes by us, bundling through the revolving doors, as they trundle in from the airport Flyer bus parked outside in the rain to the check-in desks. People pulling, dragging, and carrying large suitcases, rushing and running, last-minute unpacking, repacking, and panicking. Holidays never seem to be very relaxing.

“Are you sure I should do this?”

“It’s not about whether we’re sure, it’s about whether you’re sure? You’re the one who is going!”

“I know, but I’m just thinking it’s a lot of money to spend on a potential wild goose chase. Do I want to spend all of my money looking for a random girl who I might not even find?”

“Our money, you mean,” Jake butts in. He doesn’t do mornings.

“Don’t think about the money,” Jessie says more supportively.

“I know, but now the summer is over, I’m jobless again. The prize money could tide me over for a while until I find something else. . . .”

“You were so sure that you wanted to do this. What’s changed?”

“I don’t know . . . Honestly, I guess I just started thinking what happens if I get my heart broken again. I’m not sure I can deal with that. Maybe it’s better not to know.”

“But you have to go and find her, and find out if there’s something. Otherwise you’re always going to wonder, and the not knowing will be worse in the long run. You can’t even go on a date right now without thinking about her.”

“That’s true.”

“And the coin said to go for it, and as you’ve been banging on all year, you’ve got to follow the coin’s decision.”

I nod. I know all of this, and deep down I want nothing more than to go.

“But equally we don’t mind if you get cold feet. We can just hop back on the bus and go back to town if you’re not one hundred percent,” Jessie continues.

“Not at £7.50 each on the bus, we are not. He’s going now he’s dragged us out here,” Jake interjects. He doesn’t do public transport either.

“No, you’re right. I really do want to find her. I’m just worried that I’m not going to. Or worse, that I do find her but she’s moved on, met someone else, or we just don’t click again, or, I don’t know, she has forgotten who I am.”

“But equally she may miraculously fall in love with you. . . .” Jake pipes up.

I feel miraculously is a bit harsh but I don’t comment.

“This is the last call for Flight EZY6025 to Barcelona,” the automated voice says in a firm tone, as if it has been programmed to be angry with latecomers.

“So, is it to be Munich or Amsterdam?” Jake asks, in between yawns, wanting to get back to the comfort of his bed. This is his day off from having to wake up at the crack of dawn. “I guess you need to flip your coin to decide where you’re going first.

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