Chapter 10 - The Return Journey
Ten days later, Flight 21abeled 213 prepared for pushback from Heathrow back to JFK.
The first-class cabin was quiet, bathed in the soft blue glow of evening boarding lights.
In seat 2A, Zara Coleman sat with a leather-bound journal open on her lap, sketching a sixteenth-century navigational compass she had seen at the British Museum. Her dark hair was neatly pinned back, and her charcoal cashmere sweater felt soft against her skin.
A familiar blonde flight attendant walked down the aisle, pausing briefly beside her row.
It wasn't Elizabeth Hart this time, but the head purser, a smiling woman named Claire who gave Zara a warm, knowing nod.
“Good evening, Miss Coleman. Welcome back aboard,” Claire said smoothly.
“Thank you, Claire,” Zara replied politely.
Across the aisle, a middle-aged businessman in a modest grey suit glanced over at her, hesitating for a fraction of a second before speaking.
“Excuse me,” the man said politely. “Is seat 2B taken?”
Zara looked at the man, noting the polite posture, the absence of arrogance, and the quiet respect in his eyes.
May you like
She closed her journal, marking the page with her thumb, and smiled.
“No,” Zara said, gesturing gracefully to the empty seat beside her. “It’s all yours.”
