Page 11 of Mark

I let out a heavy breath as I find my seat. “No. Just stay with the others. I’ll grab the coach.”

She clears her throat again. “There was a mix up whilst booking and Esther accidentally opted out for the complimentary coach transfer to port.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“It was an accident, sweetie. She’s been organising a wedding and making sure everything goes to plan. She didn’t do this on purpose.”

“Of course she didn’t. And again, did no one think to tell me this since I’d evidently be stuck at the airport?”

“That’s why me and your father are going to come back and meet you. Esther has a lot to do, otherwise she would come back to greet you. She did manage to get you a coach seat for the drive back to the airport.”

“Mum, it’s fine. Can you see if you can book a taxi for me? If not, I’ll find one when I’m there. I have the port address.”

“We really are sorry for the mix up. If we had known before, I would have given you warning. It completely skipped her mind.”

Of course it did. I want to believe Esther didn’t do this on purpose, but I know she did. She’s been going away abroad with her friends for years so she knows exactly what she is doing.

“When did you know?”

“When we were boarding. Handing the tickets over made her remember. Your father was going to call, but it was so late and we didn’t want to wake you.”

“Mum, I have to go. I’ll see you when I see you.”

“Safe travels.”

“Yeah,” I whisper, ending the call. I shove my bag in the overhead cabin and retake my seat, putting on my headphones.

I’m scrolling through my playlist when someone stops beside me. I take off my headphones, and my lips part when I see who is standing there.

Could today get any worse?

I glare at my neighbour. “Are you kidding me!”

“How did you know I was going away? Have you been stealing my post again?” he accuses.

I shake my head, utterly dumbfounded. “What? No! Are you following me?”

He rears back. “Fuck no!”

“Will you sit down?” another guy snaps, coming up behind him. “Hey, aren’t you Mark’s obsessed neighbour?”

I glare at my neighbour, wishing we weren’t on a plane right now. I don’t want to risk being kicked off—however tempting that is. “Yes, but I’m not obsessed. Unless you are talking about being obsessed with killing him.”

“I told you she was a stalker, didn’t I, Liam,” Mark gloats.

“I’m not a stalker,” I argue, feeling my cheeks flush.

“Then explain why you are on the same flight as me,” he demands.

“He does have a point,” Liam states with so much pity in his tone, my left eye begins to twitch.

“Because I fancied the view,” I bark, ignoring his friend. “Jesus, I’m clearly going away.”

Liam leans over the seat, whispering conspicuously. “This is great and all, but can we take our seats so others can get to theirs? Mark, get over it. There’s nothing you can do.”

“I can get Beau to arrest her,” he tells him.

Liam rolls his eyes. “No, you can’t. You’ll piss your sister off if you make him work when he’s on his honeymoon-slash-stag-do.”