It’s okay. Logically, I knew he meant it was okay to comp me the wine, but my lizard brain, my poor little self who had just broken up with the handsome silver fox, heard, “it’s all going to be okay, Sarah—you’ll get past this—you did the right thing”.

And then I burst into tears.

Somehow, I made it onto the plane. I wasn’t even embarrassed by my outburst, which only subsided after I was seated and buckled in; I was too miserable to be embarrassed.

Of course, James had bought me a business-class ticket home. I even had an entire row to myself, which meant that the flight attendants were particularly attentive. Or, that may have been because they took one look at me and decided to rally.

We have a “code blues”, people. This is not a drill.

See? Loopy lala.

*

Three hours pass quickly when the flight attendant brings you cups of tea and glasses of bubbles in alternating succession. I thought that if I ever did get married, I should ask her—Dee—to be my maid of honour. Lins and Cat would understand.

When we landed in Sydney, I took my phone out, switching it off flight mode. It started bleeping and lighting up as though I’d been off the grid for weeks instead of hours.

Lindsey:

Text when you’ve landed and I’ll head over. Love you. I’m coming!!!!

Relief flooded through me. In less than an hour, I’d be ensconced at Lins and Nick’s and they’d look after me and I could snuggle with Domino. Domino! The only man in my life who didn’t make me miserable. I’ll be a crazy cat lady for the rest of my life—happily.

Josh:

Hey. When are you back? Really want to talk to you soon! Jx

Oh, Josh. Joshie. Josharama. I love you. I love your face and your cute smile and your beautiful eyes. But, I’m with Domino now, so we can’t be together.

Yep, I was definitely drunk.

My mum:

Hi darling. Dad and I want you to come for lunch next Sunday. We’ve invited someone we think you’ll like.

Good grief. My mum was still trying to fix me up. If only she knew! But if she did know, I would never hear the end of giving up the millionaire for my cat. NEVER. I decided I could put my mum off for a day or two. She was used to it.

For the first time ever, I was the first person off the plane. I smiled weakly at Dee and thanked her again. The sympathetic look on her face was enough to tell me I was in an utter shambles.

Immigration was quick—those automated thingies—and my bag was the first one down the chute at the baggage carousel—also a first for me. I tried not to think about the fact that I could have been flying business class around the world with James for the rest of my life. I wasn’t successful, the thought only adding to my misery. By the time I dragged myself through customs, I was pretty sure I looked like Eeyore on a bad day.