Pat wrote the winning story

Have to be

We were on our way to the airport, and the traffic was stop-go especially on the M25. Where are they all going I wondered, we have to be there by 10 am. At last we arrived at Heathrow. KEEP LEFT for TERMINAL 4 the sign flashed at us. “get over” we chorused. “if you want to drive, take over” our father shouted back. There was silence until we found the correct long term parking. “Now let's all remember where we have parked the car”, he cautioned. We each took our luggage and went down in the crowded lift. What a to do. We all flopped into the only available seats as there was 30 minutes to wait till check in. It was rather exciting watching other travellers staring up at the signs bumping into each other.

The tannoy kept blaring incomprehensible information. What did it say? We were sipping our airport tea when a smartly dressed young man asked our father to watch his suitcase for a while. Of course we would, and off he went. Shortly after there was another announcement that we could actually hear “ DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BAGS UNATTENDED OR THEY MAY BE DESTROYED”. Now this was in the 80's when the Irish were intent on blowing things up. All eyes flew to the suitcase, then to our father. “is it ticking”? My brother asked. No one laughed.As time went on we became more paranoid. Then it was time for us to check in and as we began to gather our belongings the young man reappeared smiling and thanking us for being so kind. We all breathed a sigh of relief and joined the long queue, shuffling our bags along.

Then I spotted him. A gentleman wearing long robes ahead of us. “ he has no luggage” I whispered to my father in a nervous voice. We all watched him as he inched closer to the desk. He boldly walked up and chatted to the attendant, who then directed him to another check in. He had been in the wrong queue all along! Phew!

Finding our seats on the plane, I found myself in between my brother, who had the window seat and a young man. As we taxied out of the airport onto the runway, the engines began to race, I noticed the young man gripping the arms, and stealing a furtive look at his face, noticed beads of perspiration on his forehead. Panic and suspicion was setting in again and I was gripping the armrest too. We took off and he glanced at me “J sis defray” in French (pardon my spelling) then ,in English, “its my first flight” he said with a lovely smile. Mental not to self, stop being suspicious of strangers.