The plane didn’t land as quickly as Roger or anyone else wanted. The pilot announced that they had been put into a holding pattern. Not something anyone wants to hear after 14 hours in the air. Eventually though they touched down.
Only when Jack asked if he could have “Liz’s” phone number did Roger realise he had been chatted up. He had got on with Jack but as a friend not as a potential romantic interest. He did not give out Liz’s phone number, making an excuse that to Roger sounded pretty lame. Jack seemed to take it well enough.
Landing wasn’t the end of the journey. To everyone’s chagrin they sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes before finally arriving at a gate. The pilot apologised for the delay blaming adverse weather the previous night causing a backlog of arrivals. Being at the rear of the plane they then had to wait for even longer before they could disembark. Jack retrieved Liz’s hand luggage from the locker.
When they met up outside the gate Maureen spoke to Roger. ‘I’m sorry “Liz” thanks to our late arrival I think we will be pushing it to get to our connecting flight and have time for you and “Roger” to swap back’ We have to catch a shuttle between terminals. We might make it, we might not’
As they waited in a queue for the shuttle Roger’s hopes faded. By the time they were approached by Jack, who was waiting for the same shuttle, Roger’s chances of becoming himself again that day were dying rapidly. In the end as “Liz” he introduced Jack to Maureen and “Roger”. They only lost Jack once they reached the terminal where he had to hurry to a different gate.
Once Jack had left. Maureen and “Roger” had a bit of fun stirring “Liz”
‘Didn’t take you long to find an admirer’ said Roger’s wife.
‘I like your taste in men’ said the real Liz.
‘I didn’t realise he was trying to pick me up until we were landing. I thought he was just a friendly talkative guy’
‘Lesson number one “Liz”. Any guy who talks to you is hoping to pick you up. Even if they are married!’ said Maureen with a giggle.
‘So what are the chances of swapping back now?’ Roger asked, wanting to change the subject.
‘Zero. Our flight boards in 25 minutes. It takes 30 minutes to change and that is after we find somewhere to do it. It’s either miss the flight or go as we are. It’s only another 7 hours. I just hope our bags make it’
‘So I guess I’m Liz Maguire for a bit longer’
‘That’s the spirit girl. How about we get that coffee we missed out on earlier’