The Airport

Sorley and I arrived at the airport early this morning, and I am not going to lie, I will be relieved to finally get to the hotel and chill out at the pool side for a few days.

 I had spent my second day at home helping Mum and Sorley out at the cafe in the village. 

It is set on the shore front of a mile-long golden sandy beach. With a small fishing harbour set on the west side of the south facing bay, Offering shelter from the harsh Atlantic winds and storms.

 Yesterday the weather was calm though, and there were next to no fishing boats on their moorings as they were all out to sea, looking for their daily catch. Only the small ferry could be spotted as it dutifully performs its three times daily drop offs and pick-ups from the Isle of Skye. The only way on or off of Torrinish. 

The cafe was pretty heaving all day, it had the usual breakfast and lunch rushes, which Sorley does the cooking for. While I helped Mum in her creation of all things sweet for customers. 

You name it, she makes it: homemade ice-creams, complete with cone and chocolate flakes from a take away window on the side of the building.plus there are four different flavours of cheesecakes at any one time, (an island staple apparently -particularly the Orkney Fudge flavour of cheesecake.) There are chocolate fudge brownies - warm of course- shortbread, scones and homemade jams, Victoria sponges, croissants, custards, mousses, the list goes on and on. It really is just as well I became a vet, or I would definitely be diabetic by now, as well as the size of a house...

It was great to spend time with Mum though, I miss being around her since I left, I was always a bit of a Daddy's girl since my interests lay with him but, I cannot deny I would be lost without my Mum to turn to, she is my rock.

 We left very early in the morning as we had to co-ordinate the ferry with the plane flights and of course the journey to Glasgow airport itself. All of which means, I am in dire need of a prosecco by the pool. Especially since we spent a lot of the drive looking in disgust at the waste and litter that has been thrown out on the side of the road. It is just disgusting and enrages my temper. I hate it. There is no need. Just take it home and dispose of it properly - dirty beggars, lazy and unhygienic, morons!

So, as Sorley and I sit sipping our drinks waiting for them to call us to the boarding gate, we are partaking in one of his favourites, and my least favourite hobbies... People watching.

You see I am typically happiest on my own, or with animals, this is hellish for me. I do not like people. I find them irritating beyond belief - probably why I am still single. For example, the waste bins are over flowing but rather than walk ten foot to another I have seen at least six people in a rush no doubt to get to those closed boarding gates, try and stuff more inside. 

"Oh, come on!" I shout as another idiot doesn't even glance at the bin and just drops their empty coffee cup on the floor in the "vicinity" of a bin

"Calm down Dee," chides Sorley, "it’s not your problem."

"I know but come on Sorley" I say "how can that behaviour not bug you? They aren't even, they are just...argh!" I huff out. Sadly, knowing I am completely powerless to solve any of these minor issues. "People Suck"

"But you are missing all the good in the place too," he says. 

"Really?" I remark raising my eyebrow.

"Yes, really. Look over there." he points over towards a family. "That Dad has been bouncing his son on his shoulders for twenty minutes straight, without a break! That boy has to be at least fifteen kilograms. But he keeps on bouncing. That is love. Right there in its purest form. Self-sacrificing love. His back must be bloody killing him, but the joy on that boys face, and the rest it gives his wife, who was wrestling with him before hand to stop him running off is all it takes for him to act."

 Sorley has a face splitting grin on his face, and I can’t help but find it infectious. This is why my big brother is the other chap that can settle my temper besides Dad. He opens my eyes to points of view I have often missed. Where I seem programmed at finding faults, he finds joy and light, and love all around. He is sunshine to my rain, optimistic when I am pessimistic, and he pushes me to explore outside my comfort zone.

Like this holiday. I was not one for flying off to Greece. My idea of a holiday is going to the estate where I can lose myself in its serenity. But my big brother is my best friend, and if he wants to go to Greece then, I suppose, this once at least (because I am not a saint, and he will only expect it if it becomes a regular thing ha ha) we will go to Greece. To sample, sun without biting clegs, warmth without humidity, and an all-inclusive deal where I can get drunk enough to ignore the people around me that will inevitably drive me insane.

I glance around, trying to have a more open mind, and Sorley is right, (not that I will tell him so, his ego does not need that gratification in the slightest) for every cup dropping, bin stuffing muppet around, there are acts of caring and love. An old man carrying his wife's bag or a mother wiping the tears from her child who has bumped their knee. Okay, I can see why Sorley likes this. Even friends, are laughing along with one another, or slapping each other on the back in their glee.

I smile sipping my hot chocolate, because I am not a caffine person, my temper does not need the extra stimulation?

“Okay, I admit it Sorley, you may have a point. There is a lot of beauty in people and how they interact with one another on a personal basis. But come on” I start to object again, “Look at the lack of apathy everyone seems to show to those outside that personal relationship bubble” I say pointing at the young girls, who just barged in front of the older couple from earlier, to get what I can only perceive is more prime seating in the cafe area we are seated in already.

I finish gulping my drink and motion Sorley to do the same. “Drink up but wait here and I will go and get the old couple to take these seats, before they are poached away like the others.”

Sorley finishes his coffee and starts using some napkins to wipe the table to down, as I take our empty plates and my mug and deposit them on the counter with a nod to the waitress. 

I approach the elderly couple smiling friendly.

“Excuse me” I tap the gentleman on the shoulder to get his attention. “My brother and I are just leaving, we seen you were struggling to find seats. Would you like our table?” I ask

“Oh, bless you dear” says the lady, “that would be lovely.”

She has a beautiful smile and very bright eyes. She seems genuinely shocked at our offer, they both do, and that saddens me really.

“You’re a kind lass,” says the old man, struggling to balance their tray of hot drinks and their carry-on luggage. Just like Dad would be doing I thought to myself, ever the gentleman rather than letting his wife help he is shouldering the burden on his own.

“Can I help you with your drinks at all” I ask pretty sure I know the answer but knowing my Mum would never let me live it down if I didn’t ask them if I could help.

“No, no, lass, I am still capable of carrying a couple of drinks” he said as I smirk realising my hunch was correct.

“Never mind him dear” says his wife. “He is as stubborn as a mule, he’ll no accept help going up a flight of stairs, even if his leg was hanging off” we share a laugh at this evaluation of the stubborn old man beside us.

“I completely understand” I say, “My father is the exact same, and hey why accept help when you are perfectly capable right?”

"Exactly lass, exactly" he responds with a nod

We all smile as I lead the way to the table that Sorley is still guarding against the scowls of several travellers looking to get an early meal before their flights.

We say our goodbyes, as they settle themselves down to have their drinks and something to eat, thanking us as we leave.

“That was a nice thing you did Dee” says Sorley.

“I am capable you know, I am not a complete anti-social hermit woman” I laugh.

“Oh, I know that,” laughs my brother. “But I was more referencing to the fact that without my favourite guilty pleasure – that you so ardently hate by the way – you would not have been able to help them out” he replies smiling.

“Oh, shut up you smug git!” I huff, whacking him on the back of the head. To which he simply bursts out laughing at my expense.

 “Come on, let head to the pharmacy so I can pick up more sun cream!” I say assertively

“Didn’t you pack enough?” he asks me perplexed, as we head through the many airport shops, cafes and closed up bars.

“Just a bottle, but I figured I would get more here, plus you know, duty free.” I say as we laugh at my cheapness. Or as I like to call it my thrifty side, inherited from Great Granny McLeish – so I am told – who could feed a family of seven with three potatoes a turnip and two leeks -  apparently.

“Come on then, better get at least six bottles, Dad will kill me if I take you back burnt like an over cooked lobster fresh out the pot.” He says shaking his hand through my hair.

Knob.

After we have finished arguing over which factor of sun cream I should buy, me opting for a twenty-five, Sorley pushing for a clay body wrap, or some sort of Tar cover all. I mean I know I am pale but come on its not that bad! I pay and we head to the gate that’s opened up, getting ready to board.

We are waiting to board the plane laughing away and I am finally feeling like I am more in the holiday spirit. We will touch down in Athens at 11am, then it’s a two-hour shuttle ride to the hotel we are staying in. A five-star resort for adults only. The star rating was Sorley’s stipulation – snob – the grown ups only was mine, purely because although I do like children, I want to drink and read in a quiet atmosphere, that is not accompanied by the pitter patter and splashy splashy of tiny hands and toes.

When the wifey at the gate starts to tell us we can board we join our respective ques as required. First on the plane is passengers with disabilities, followed by parents and children. Next, it’s a free for all, so we wait till near the end, before making our way on board surrounded by the excited chirruping noises of the other passengers around us.

Once we are in our seats, with our carry-on luggage stored securely above us. I sigh and pull my book out. Its complete trash the story but its an easy read so it will do for now.

The flight attendants go through the appropriate safety demonstration where it looks more like they are signalling a plane to land rather than showing us the emergency exits, either that or conducting a silent invisible orchestra. I read through the safety information sheet in front of me and try not to balk at the possibility of a crash. This is my first time flying and I am more than a little nervous. Not that I would admit that to my brother, he would never let me live it down. But I am pretty sure he notices when I check the tightness of my seatbelt for a third time.

My suspicion is confirmed when he turns to me and says “Well that explains your disappointment the bars weren't open at that time in the morning, looking for dutch courage? I would wind you up more you know, but you are starting to look a bit green sis. Try taking some deep breaths, we will be fine” he smiles at me.

“Ha, you know I think it was more comforting when you were taking the piss out of me Sor. That way I know everything’s normal.” I laugh “this nice big brotherly act must mean we are doomed.”

We are interrupted by the captain’s announcement telling us our route through Europe, how long the flight will take, what time it will be when we land and most importantly that it will be 24 degrees Celsius where we land.

 Thank goodness I am in sandals I hate having sweaty feet.

He starts driving the plane towards the runway. Suddenly it gets louder as we feel the speed increase and I start laughing my head off.

“What is it Dee?” Sorley asks, looking at me like I am having an episode

“Do you remember that really angry sounding printer Mum and Dad had when we were teenagers?” I ask

His face lights up with laughter and recognition, because the flying vehicle that will ferry us across the world to the other side of a continent, well it sounds just like an angry office appliance we used to use as kids.

 Whether that makes this situation easier or more uncomfortable I am not quite sure but some how I feel happy laughing away as we are lifted higher and higher into the sky.