I put my bag in the overhead locker, taking in the weird smell that only aeroplanes seem to have. I sit next to my dad, stuff my book, phone and earbuds into the small seat pocket, and kick off my shoes.

I send a last message to Lucy, telling her I’m on my way and can’t wait to hear all about her date. And then my finger hovers over Oliver’s name. How do I make this right?

I’m really sorry, I write. I should have told you Jaxon was around. I just didn’t want you to worry when there was nothing going on. My dad kind of adopted him for a while, I’ll tell you everything when I’m back. I don’t like him, I promise! I love you.

I go to switch my phone to flight mode, and just then, as fate would have it, Oliver messages back.

I don’t even know what to think or say to you now. But…

I wait for the next message to come through, but I suppose he’s thinking.

‘Please turn your phone off,’ the attendant berates me, appearing at my shoulder.

‘One more minute?’ I ask, staring at the screen, still waiting for his next sentence.

‘Right now,’ she says.

Oh no. What will come after the ‘but’? I can’t wait until we land to find out. But then, as the attendant moves on, the next message appears.

We’ll talk when you get back. I hope you have a great flight.

I sigh, tucking my phone into the pocket of the bag under my seat. He loves me, that can’t have changed, and that’s all that matters. I know I will make it up to him somehow.

As the plane reverses from the terminal, I bite my nails and smile. I dig into my bag to find my journal, and start to scribble wildly as the seeds of a plan begin to sprout. By the time we’ve taken off, and the clouds have transformed into fluffy white rabbit’s tails, the seeds have grown into a tree.

‘All good?’ my dad asks as I adjust the miniature cushion behind my back.

Oliver flashes into my mind, his touch, his smell. I can feel his arms around me, my lips on his neck, his skin against mine. Soft but strong, exciting yet safe. The boy I love, and can’t imagine life without.

‘Great,’ I say with a big smile. I look at my dad, his now clean-shaven face scarred by good deeds on behalf of Jaxon. His nose like mine, eyes kind and crinkled by smiles. Despite me throwing myself onto a dying moose and costing him his job, one he actually enjoyed, he has chosen to be here. Flying across the world with me.

Because he believes in father–daughter. He believes in me.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements