The California Club Read Online Free PDF Page B

lighting, what was I thinking?
    On the way back to my seat I’m amused to see the positions people are trying to sleep in. One woman has her head on the tray table. I can't decide whether she looks like she's passed out at a dinner party or is about to be guillotined. The man ahead of her has wriggled into the gap between his seat and the window and is trying to arrange himself so his head is on the seat. It can't be worth it. The two girls along from him have got the right idea – they're yakking their way through the flight. That would be me and Zoë if we'd sat together. I eavesdrop as I pass. 'If you love him you've got to tell him!' one girl insists.
    If only it were that simple. Would you risk losing your best friend over such a confession? Although I did once try that popular non-verbal form of communication with Elliot. We were at a house party and he had to leave early and I – already more than a little tipsy – didn't want him to go. I followed him out into the driveway and we were suddenly alone. I don't know if it was the contrast of leaving a cigarette-fogged sweatbox to emerge into the cool jasmine-scented night but I felt compelled to reach for him – it started as a playful stay-a-while tug back but then I stumbled into a herbaceous border, and as he righted me, I instinctively carpe diem-ed and kissed him. And he kissed me back. It seemed to last for ever and with every microsecond that passed I fell deeper, lost in wonder and swirled up with feelings of delight and realization. It is you! Years of daydreaming had not prepared me for the bliss that enveloped me. I swear I went to a higher place.
    At one point I'm sure I heard Zoë calling Sasha: 'Come and look – she's finally done it!'
    But then he was gone. I stood there wondering if I'd imagined the whole thing, then the biggest smile spread across my face. I knew it was real.
    I staggered back and propped myself against a wall, closed my eyes and tried to prolong the sensation for as long as possible. The warmth, the smooshiness of our mouths, the lightest bristling of the goatee he had at the time. The way he reached down to my heart and welcomed my whole body to his. I didn't want to go to sleep that night in case the feeling slipped away in my dreams. Indeed, hangover gremlins did take a large chunk of memory but they left me with more than enough to treasure to this day.
    He called the next morning just to make sure things weren't going to be awkward between us. Though I'd conveniently forgotten about her the night before, he actually had a girlfriend at the time and there seemed little chance of a rematch so I simply apologized for lunging, blamed the booze and then asked after his hangover. 'Oh, I wasn't drinking,' he replied. My inner cringe was the equivalent of a hundred crunches.
    That was six years ago but Zoë's never let go of the 'he kissed you back' factor. I long to know if there were any tingles on his behalf, if he ever relives the moment like I do. I close my eyes. What can it hurt? One last video replay to send me off to sleep…
    The next thing I hear is:
    'Ladies and gentlemen, we will shortly be arriving in beautiful San Diego, California. The temperature is an idyllic 78 degrees and on behalf of myself and the crew, I wish you a magical stay.'
    Suddenly my body surges with hope. Perhaps I'm being given one last chance? After all, this is America, land of dreams! Anything is possible! Maybe the mere fact that we're in a new environment will make him see me in a new way!
    I cross my fingers and make a wish 'Let him love me!' – just as we bump down on to the runway.

Chapter 4
    Judging by the trepidation on the faces surrounding the luggage carousel, people have a greater fear of losing their luggage than they do of flying.
    ‘It’s funny how the first round of suitcases never seem to get touched,' I muse as I watch them rotate.
    ‘And then there’s always some over-eager type who pulls off someone else’s case and then