Golden Girl (5 page)

Alexei came down to join the others in waving us off before heading off on his own trip to Paris. I could tell that he still wished he was coming with us. He stood in the forecourt with Dad,
Pia’s mum and Henry, as we got ready to get into the waiting Mercedes limo.

Henry started messing about and pretending to cry, so Pia thumped him. ‘Ow,’ he said.

‘It’s how I show affection,’ she said, and gave him a big hug. Henry is built like a rugby player and Pia looks tiny beside him, but despite the difference in height, they make
a great-looking couple: Henry with his square jaw and open face and Pia with her pretty pixie features.

I gave Dad a hug, then turned to Alexei. ‘Find me an Indian princess,’ he whispered.

Pia, who never missed a thing, turned to him and squeezed his arm. ‘What good would she be to you in India, you dozo?’

‘Dozo? Vot is dozo?’ he asked.

‘You are. Not thinking straight,’ said Pia. She pointed at her head. ‘What good would she be in India?’

‘My parents have private plane. No problem,’ he replied, then grinned. ‘So not so dozo.’

I laughed. It really is another world for the Porchester Park residents.

Any feelings of remorse at leaving Dad and the boys disappeared as soon as we got into the car. As Mr Lewis was already in India, it was just Alisha, JJ, Mrs Lewis, Pia and me sitting back in
the sumptuous leather seats as the limo purred its way through the dark streets to the airport. Another car had whisked away Vanya and our luggage and I couldn’t help but be pleased to see
the back of the canvas suitcase I had borrowed from Aunt Maddie. It looked so tatty in comparison to the expensive matching cases of the Lewis family. But I didn’t dwell on it.

Pia and I had made a pact that we weren’t going to stress about what they had and what we didn’t. It was just a fact. They were loaded and we weren’t, and we weren’t
going to let that spoil our holiday. As soon as we’d started packing for the trip, we’d realised that our swimming stuff was pretty shabby, we’d outgrown most of our summer
clothes from last year and anything new that we’d bought had come from a sale or a second-hand shop. After an afternoon of meltdown we realised that we had a choice. Go on holiday with the
Lewises and feel like the poor relations the whole time or go along and have a blast. Having a blast won.

‘They’re not inviting us for our money or our clothes, babe,’ said Pia when she saw me counting up my pocket money and the bit of cash Gran, Dad and Aunt Maddie had given me
for the trip. ‘They invited us because we’re good, fun people. They like us and we like them.’

I’d been worried that we’d have to contribute to meals or trips out and would never be able to keep up, but Pia said that none of that mattered. Her attitude was that having good
pals is what makes us the richest people on the planet, not how much cash we have. I was so glad she was coming with me.

I’d flown before but only short hops to Europe when Mum was still alive. I love travelling and airports, cruising the shops in anticipation of the flight, picking out a book or magazine to
read on the journey, and I was looking forward to that stage of the trip. Also, I still hadn’t found a birthday present for JJ so I was hoping to get him something in duty free.

It was a quiet car ride. Pia texted Henry, Alisha texted her mates in LA, Mrs Lewis was busy on her iPad and JJ had a Kindle so was reading one of the many books he’d downloaded to pass
the time, books about Udaipur and the history of India. He looked over at me every now and again and smiled. At one point, he got out his phone and sent me a text saying one word.

Later.

I smiled back at him. I knew what he meant. We’d have time alone when we got to India. It gave me a happy glow inside that he’d texted the message. It felt like we had a secret and
that, although we were with other people, there was something private happening between the two of us. I was also glad to see that the Lewises had dressed down for the flight in casual clothes and
trainers – albeit pale pink Calvin Klein casuals in Alisha’s case, and black and grey Armani in JJ’s. Pia and I had wondered if we ought to wear our best clothes to travel in but,
in the end, we’d worn jeans and T-shirts, figuring that if we wore our best, it would only get creased. So far, so good and no fashion faux pas.

‘What time does our flight leave?’ I asked Mrs Lewis.

‘When we get to the airport,’ she replied.

‘I see,’ I replied, none the wiser.

As we reached the motorway and began passing signs for Heathrow I felt another rush of excitement. I could tell that Pia was feeling the same. She squeezed my hand and whispered, ‘And so
our adventure begins!’

I was about to reply when we zoomed straight past the airport turnoff. Pia and I looked at each other then at Alisha, who was chatting away to her mum. JJ was lost in his own thoughts, gazing
out of the window.

The driver must know where we’re going
, I thought as the car continued on. In the distance to our left, I could see lights blazing in the maze of airport buildings but we sped on
past. I was just wondering whether to yell, ‘Turn around!’ when the car slowed down and the driver pulled up in front of what looked like a small but smart hotel. Pia looked at me and
shrugged. She was as mystified as I was.

A blonde lady in a smart turquoise uniform came out and greeted Mrs Lewis through the rolled-down limo window, then she slipped into the seat beside the driver. I noticed a sign that said
VIP
Terminus
and nudged Pia to look at it as we set off again. A few minutes later, we stopped alongside a small, sleek, white plane.

Alisha grinned. ‘OK, girls. This is us.’

It took a moment to sink in as we all got out of the limo.

‘It’s a private jet!’ I gasped.

JJ gave me a thumbs-up. ‘Come on,’ he said, and began to walk towards the plane where Vanya, blond and smart in a black suit, was waiting at the bottom of the steps.

‘But . . . don’t we have to check in?’ asked Pia.

‘No,’ said Alisha.

JJ came back and linked arms with me. ‘We just get on and we go.’

‘On that?’ I asked.

JJ turned to his sister. ‘Didn’t you tell them?’

‘And spoil the surprise?’ Alisha replied, then turned to us. ‘Like it?’

‘
Love
it,’ I said.

I glanced at Pia. We’d both thought we’d be hanging about the airport for hours before take-off. Clearly not. We were travelling with A-listers and I was cottoning on fast. You turn
up and drive straight to your private jet. No fuss, no hanging about. You get on. You go.

Pia and I followed the Lewises up the steps into the jet. A smiling steward with brown wavy hair and dressed in a navy uniform welcomed us aboard and showed us inside.

‘I’m Jonathan,’ he said, ‘and this is Maria.’ The lady who’d been with us in the car came up the steps behind us, followed by Vanya. ‘We’ll be
looking after you on the flight. Just let either of us know if there’s anything you need.’

‘Thanks,’ said Pia as she took a peek inside to the right. ‘How about a reality check? I must be dreaming.’

Jonathan smiled. ‘I hope you enjoy the flight.’

‘Wow,’ I gasped when I followed the others inside. I slumped into an enormous leather armchair and looked around. ‘There’s so much space!’ We were in an elegant
living room decorated in subtle stone colours. At the centre of the room was a coffee table stacked with glossy magazines.

‘Gazow,’ echoed Pia.

Alisha sprawled on one of the plush sofas and raised an eyebrow. ‘Cool, huh?’

‘JJ, why don’t you show the girls around?’ said Mrs Lewis. ‘I’m just going to call your dad and tell him that we’re on our way. I’ll see you all shortly
for take-off.’ And she disappeared into the back of the plane. Vanya sat in a corner of the living room and picked up a magazine.

I felt like I’d entered a Porchester Park apartment with wings.

Alisha stayed where she was as JJ began his tour. ‘Welcome aboard this Boeing 737,’ he said as he paused to sneak a look at the brochure about the jet that he’d picked up from
a coffee table. ‘It has a sumptuously appointed eighty square metres of cabin space divided into compartments. As you see, we’re here in the living room, decorated in soft tan with
cream leather sofas and matching armchairs, and softly lit by dozens of tiny ceiling lights . . . Now, if you’d like to follow me.’

‘You sound like an eejit, bro,’ said Alisha from the sofa.

JJ ignored her and beckoned Pia and me into the next room where there was a further group of plush armchairs. ‘Watch this,’ said JJ. He waved his arm and a panel slid silently back
to reveal a huge TV screen. ‘Our own private cinema. Nice, huh?’

‘I suppose it will have to do,’ said Pia and yawned.

JJ laughed. ‘And continuing our tour . . .’ He led us into a modern dining room with white tulips on the table and a bowl of fresh fruit. ‘Seats eight comfortably,’ he
said as we moved on. ‘Next we have the business centre.’ He knocked and opened the door. Mrs Lewis was at a desk Skyping her husband.

JJ waved at the screen. ‘Hi, Dad. Everything OK?’

‘Sure,’ said the handsome face on the screen. ‘How are the girls?’

‘Great, they’re with me,’ said JJ. ‘Want to say hi, Jess?’

I stepped forward. ‘Hi, Mr Lewis,’ I said and gave a self-conscious wave. I can’t help it but whenever I see Mr Lewis I’m totally starstruck, which I suppose isn’t
really surprising seeing as he is one of the biggest stars on the planet.

‘Hi,’ said Pia. ‘Can’t wait to get to India.’

He beamed back his million dollar smile. ‘I’ll see you all soon. Say hi to Alisha for me. Y’all have a good flight, now.’

We left the office and headed towards the rear of the plane. ‘Two bathrooms, left and right,’ said JJ, and Pia and I had a quick peek inside to see spacious showers, a loo and a
basin. Like the rest of the plane, they looked top quality and smelt clean and perfumed, not the usual boiled lemon and antiseptic aeroplane loo smell. ‘And finally . . .’ He opened the
door into a kingsize bedroom with an ensuite marble bathroom. ‘Mom and Alisha will be in here but we’ll be sorted too, I assure you. The seats in the cinema go back so I can sleep in
there with Vanya and the sofas in the lounge pull out into beds for you girls.’

‘What about Jonathan and Maria?’ asked Pia.

‘They have places up at the front of the plane, near the kitchen,’ JJ replied.

‘It’s amazing,’ I said as we went back through to the sitting room to join Alisha.

‘It’s really comfortable,’ said JJ, ‘especially for a long flight. Plus the plane has wifi so you can email or Skype your dad if you want to let him know how you’re
doing.’

‘One jet we went on even had a disco onboard,’ said Alisha, who seemed to be enjoying our awe. ‘Can you imagine, dancing away as you fly through the clouds?’

‘Insane,’ I said.

Jonathan came through. ‘If you wouldn’t mind taking your seats, we’ll be taking off in a few minutes and then you can roam, watch a movie or sleep,’ he said.

‘What would you like to do?’ JJ asked us.

‘I doubt I’ll be able to sleep just yet. So, cinema room?’ I said. It was cosy in there. ‘Maybe a movie? Unless you want to sleep?’

‘A movie sounds perfect,’ JJ agreed.

‘Movie and snacks then a sleepover,’ said Alisha. ‘Yay!’

I laughed. This was going to be the most luxurious, unique sleepover ever.

Mrs Lewis came through and we took our places in the living area. Alisha sat with her mum on the sofa, while JJ, Pia, Vanya and I were in the chairs. We belted up and, soon after, we took off
into the sky. As the jet engines thrust upwards, JJ reached across and took my hand. ‘Do you mind flying?’

‘Are you kidding? I love it,’ I said, and gazed out of the window at the night sky and the sea of grey clouds below us.

‘Some people get scared,’ he said.

‘Not me.’

Even so, he didn’t let go of my hand.

As soon as we were cruising well above the clouds, we unbuckled our belts and Vanya took his place in a corner away from the rest of us and pulled out a book. He didn’t
say much but he seemed perfectly at ease with everyone. Jonathan came through with a tray laden with juices and plates of delicious-looking tiny canapés. He placed them on the table in front
of us. ‘Let me know if you require anything,’ he said and handed each of us a menu. ‘Perhaps some dinner?’

The Lewises shook their heads. ‘We ate before we left home,’ said Mrs Lewis. ‘Thank you, Jonathan. Pia? Jess? How about you?’

I’d love to have tried something from the menu but Gran and Aunt Maddie had been over earlier in the evening and we’d had a big goodbye supper of chicken and mashed potatoes. I was
still stuffed from it. Pia and I both shook our heads. ‘No, thanks,’ I said.

‘Thanks for the snacks though, Jonathan,’ said Alisha.

She and JJ were always so polite to their staff, polite to everyone, in fact.

Pia looked over at me and winked as she helped herself to a canapé. I knew she was loving the whole experience as much as me.

After the snacks, we went into the cinema room where Mrs Lewis watched half of a movie with us, then went to bed. The rest of us weren’t tired, even though it was one-thirty in the
morning. Pia and I were buzzing with the novelty of it all and to sleep would have meant to miss some of what was going on. Alisha gave in around two a.m., leaving me, JJ and Pia listening to
music. Vanya was already asleep in one of the chairs that turned into beds in the cinema room. JJ and I held hands some of the time and, though I’d have liked to have curled up on the chair
with him, I didn’t want to make Pia feel like she was being left out. There would be plenty of time to be alone with JJ later.

At around two-thirty, despite my resistance, my eyelids grew heavy and Pia was almost asleep, so JJ asked Maria to make up the beds for us. We finally snuggled down but even though the beds were
comfortable with silk sheets and feather-light pillows, I slept fitfully. So, at eight o’clock UK time, I got up and tiptoed through to the rear of the plane to take a shower. I could never
resist trying out divine-smelling gels and lotions. It’s one of my favourite things. The others were soon up too and as Jonathan served us a breakfast of fresh fruit, cheese, jam and warm
croissants, I almost forgot that we were flying. It felt more like hanging out at someone’s house or being in a fab hotel; the only reminder that we were thousands of metres up in the air
being when I looked out of the window and saw the earth so far below.