Galway Review 8 - April 2020

into the company’s pension scheme. ‘I’m sorry to ask
but would you mind helping me as far as the lavatory?
My legs are a little wobbly.’
Not only was the man happy to assist, but everyone else
was solicitous too and Leo was allowed to skip the short
queue, past the French lady who declared in excellent
English that her next holiday would be by train and 5C
who stood aside without complaint when she heard
about her wallet. He took his time in the cramped toilet
but when he emerged his assistant was waiting patiently
to guide him back to his seat. The stewardess took over
then, appearing with a pillow and a blanket. After tucking
Leo in and making sure he was comfortable, she asked
if he needed anything else. At first he demurred but then
murmured, ‘I don’t want to put you to any trouble but
some coffee might calm my insides.’ He patted his
stomach for emphasis and watched as she left to do his
bidding.
Cosseted under the blanket and the attentive eyes of
pitying strangers, Leo drifted into a daydream about his
next adventure; the rebel base, the last stop on his list
but a place where he felt sure he’d fit in nicely.
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