SEVEN
ABANDONED
Friday 25 December 1998.
“I’m glad you came,” Jason Smith said, “after what I said earlier, I wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to see me again.”
Lucy McLean smiled.
“You’ve been through such a lot Jason,” she said, “and you’re about to go through so much more. Where’s your mother?”
“She got one of her friends to drop me off,” he said, “she was so drunk, she could hardly stand up when she said goodbye. This is pretty much all that’s left of my father’s money.”
He took out the four hundred pounds he had changed at the foreign exchange.
“This is it; I’m a sixteen year old abandoned child,” He laughed nervously.
“I want you to have this.” Lucy gave him an envelope.
Jason started to open it.
“Not now, “she said, “wait at least until you’re on the plane.”
“Laura would have been nine tomorrow,” Jason said, “I’m going to be on a stupid aeroplane for pretty much all of her birthday. Maybe it’s for the best.”
“How long is the flight?”
“It’s bloody confusing,” he said, “but I think I’ve figured it out. The UK is eight hours behind so even though the flying time is set, I need to take eight hours off. One good thing though, Laura’s birthday will be eight hours longer this year. Am I babbling a bit?”
Lucy smiled, “you’re talking perfect sense,” she lied.
“I’m just a bit apprehensive, that’s all.”
He looked at the monitor above his head.
“I have to go through. Boarding will be starting soon.”
“Have you got any warm clothes with you?” Lucy asked, “You’re dressed like a surfer bum.”
Jason was wearing his favourite board shorts and a light T-Shirt.
“Dubai is still warm,” he reassured her, “I have a change of clothes in my hand luggage. I’ll change in Dubai.”
“You look after yourself Jason Smith.” Lucy looked away.
She wiped away a tear from her eye.
“Write to me, you promise?”
“Ok.” He kissed her on the cheek and walked through to where the X rays were being taken.