Page 100 of The Grand Duel

TWENTY

Lissie

Ihave everything planned out. The entire two days scheduled to ensure every moment of Charles’s time away runs smoothly.

So where the hell is he?

My knee bounces as I peer through the private plane’s window, my gaze pinned on the same route I took from the terminal.

There’s no way he’d forget or not show.

I check my watch and find he’s over half an hour late.

He’s probably just stuck in traffic.

“Can I get you a drink at all, Miss Elton? Or something to eat? Mr Aldridge ordered pancakes in advance, but we can make you pretty much anything.”

I look up at the lady and shake my head, forcing a smile. “No, thank you.”

“Well, let me know if there’s anything, okay.”

She walks away when I nod.

I look around the private plane, wondering how much longer Charles will be.

He will show up, won’t he?

With unease making my hands sweat, I pick up my phone from the armrest.

Hey. On the plane. Everything okay?

I chew on the inside of my lip, waiting for the message to deliver, but it doesn’t.

I drop it back down and smile at the flight attendant who’s stood at the open door of the plane, my heartbeat kicking up a notch.

She eyes me a few times before she comes back to my seat. “Mr Aldridge seems to be running late. Are you sure I can’t sway you with something to eat? The cheese toasties are to die for.”

Maybe something to eat would help.

“Nervous flyer?” she adds, her gaze knowing.

I shake my head. “Not normally. I’m just a little overanxious today, sorry.”

It’s probably the lack of sleep.

She holds a hand up to me. “Please, don’t apologise. It’s why I’m here. We’re in no rush to get off the ground, so we’re okay for time. How about that sandwich?”

I let out a lungful of air and nod. “I’d love one, thank you.”

She disappears, and I look back out through the window, praying Charles shows up soon.

I lean back and close my eyes, trying to get a grasp on why I feel so unsettled.

Charles will be here soon.

Charles will be here soon.

Charles will be here…