Eliza hadn’t noticed the plane moving. She felt her heart start to race. She tried breathing deeply, closing her eyes, counting to ten. It didn’t seem to be working.

‘You do have it bad, don’t you?’ Sullivan said. ‘What caused it, if you don’t mind me asking?’

She opened her eyes and told a portion of the truth. ‘I had very bad news after a flight when I was seventeen. It set up an association between flying and trauma.’

‘What sort of bad news?’

‘I’d rather not say.’

‘I respect your privacy. But my mother would love to get her mitts on you. I can give you her card?’

‘Thank you but no.’

‘If you change your mind, just ask. Will we start holding hands now?’

Eliza held out her hand. He took it in a firm grasp.

‘Thanks, Sullivan,’ she said. ‘If the pottery or DJ-ing doesn’t work out, you could have a career helping people face their fear of flying.’

He gave his funny little bark of a laugh. ‘I’ll keep that in mind, Eliza, thank you. Further to our earlier conversation, do you have any brothers or sisters?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m an only child too. I’d have loved a brother or sister.’

‘Younger or older?’

‘One of each.’

‘If you had to choose?’

‘A younger brother. Like you.’

‘You flatter me,’ he said. ‘If I ever decide to hire out my sibling services, you’ll be the person I call. Look, we’re up in the air. Well done, Eliza. You’ve got through it again. Now, it’s time to relax.’ He let go of her hand, put on his headphones and began scrolling through the wildlife documentaries.

To her surprise, she did relax. Mostly. Two bouts of turbulence set her heart racing. But the hours passed with the help of three movies, two meals, even a nap. Sullivan only interrupted her twice.

‘You don’t play online Scrabble by any chance, Eliza, do you?’ he asked. ‘It would be fun to keep in touch that way. I don’t use social media. I prefer to leave as little trace of myself online as possible. But I do enjoy Scrabble and its messaging feature. If you don’t mind me using your phone to access the onboard wi-fi, I can set us up online as opponents. I’m good, though, I must warn you.’

She found her phone in her bag. He switched it on and pressed the keys.

‘There you are. I’ve started a game with you. I called you Fearless Flyer. I hope that’s okay?’

‘I like it very much,’ she said.

‘I’m Navillus. Sullivan backwards. Catchy, isn’t it?’ He took out his own phone from the backpack at his feet. ‘Will we have a quick game now?’

They played two games – Sullivan won both – before the announcement that they were soon landing.

‘Who’ll be meeting you, Sullivan?’ Eliza asked, as she put her phone away.

He shrugged. ‘I never know. Sometimes Dad. Usually his secretary, Ann-Marie. She’s very likeable.’