Hello everyone! I'd just like to thank you for taking the time to read the story - I hope you'll enjoy it. Cheers!
A Game of Pretend
Clara Oswald knew she was going to miss her connecting flight if she didn't run. She knew she would have to wait for hours on end if she didn't rush to God knows which gate or terminal. She tapped on the armrest of her seat impatiently as she waited for the plane to make its final descent.
She had spent the last two weeks in Melbourne, enjoying her holiday, as well seeing her cousin who is currently enrolled at a local university. She had a wonderful time, but it would seem her luck was running out today as she knew her connecting flight would take off soon. The plane finally landed and as soon as the seatbelt sign was switched off, Clara grabbed her bag and left the aircraft shortly after.
Finally, after several minutes of brisk walking, she reached the gate and went through security, glad to see that there was at least one other person making their way to the aircraft.
Clara showed her ticket to the stewardess, boarded the plane and searched for her seat. The flight wasn't crowded but it wasn't completely empty either. She knew she was one of the few last passengers to board the plane as most people were already seated.
Eventually, she found her seat number and was glad to see there was only one passenger seated in the same row as her, meaning that she could have some extra space.
The man noticed that she was standing next to him and immediately got up to let her through.
"Thanks," she muttered before plopping down on the seat with a sigh, panting slightly.
He couldn't help but stare. She looked as if she had been chased by a pack of dogs. He cleared his throat and awkwardly said, "Are you alright?"
Clara nodded, trying to control her breathing. "Yeah, fine, just had to run because the gate was about to close – I'm never flying with this airline again."
"That makes it the two of us," the man with the curly grey hair added. "I was supposed to take an earlier flight, but it was cancelled so they made me wait for seven hours."
The plane started moving backwards, slowly backing away from the gate as the safety information video began playing.
"Seven hours?" she repeated. "Now I don't feel so bad for running in heels."
He smiled. "I prefer running over waiting for hours on end, anytime, but it wasn't that bad – got half of my money back and a free portable phone charger."
"Not a bad deal, indeed – I'm Clara by the way."
"John," the man with the bushy eyebrows replied.
She decided a friendly conversation wouldn't hurt. John seemed like a decent man despite him sporting the appearance of a rock-star, or is it, magician?
"So, what brought you here, if you don't mind me asking," she asked after the plane had taken off and the flight crew began distributing snacks. It was going to be a long flight, so she might as well make some small chat.
John opened the bag of peanuts. "Work – my university and a local one in Kuala Lumpur are collaborating on a research related to mathematical meteorology."
So, he's a mathematician, despite the attire – no, wait. As far as she remembered her days back in university, a lot of professors from science field were unusual so it wasn't unusual for him to be unusual.
"That sounds impressive," she commented.
He gave her a shy smile. "Thanks, and it is fun once you get all the boring work out of the way – what about you?"
"I'm not doing something as impressive you are but I'm an English teacher."
John began snacking on his peanuts. "That is impressive if you ask me – I don't think I have the patience to teach a classroom full of children, let alone teenagers."
"Technically speaking, a lot of first and second years are teenagers."
John nodded in silent agreement. "Yes, but most of the time they're quiet and only ask relevant questions."
He had thought he was going to be sitting in a plane full of annoying passengers, but he was proven wrong. Instead, Clara proved to be great company. John had a feeling he was going to enjoy the flight, despite being stuck at the airport for seven hours and despite having his original flight cancelled. If anything, he was beginning to feel grateful it was.
"So, Mr 'I don't teach children', what do you teach?"
John gave her another shy smile, scratching the back of his head. "Maths… just maths."
Clara knew he was being shy and truth to be told, she was intrigued. "Yeah, but what sort – my knowledge in maths is limited but I did sit for A-level maths so try me, professor."
"Oh, I'm not a professor yet," he corrected her sheepishly.
"Alright, Doctor, impress me."
John was temporarily distracted when he smelt food coming from the back aisle. "Um," he cleared his throat. "Ordinary differential equations…"
"Yep, I've heard of that, but I have no memory of it."
"Fluid mechanics and mathematical physics," he listed.
Clara giggled. "Now I'm completely lost but impressed."
A stewardess finally reached their row and smiled. "Hello, what will you be having?"
Clara and John exchanged looks. "What do you recommend?" John asked.
"The chicken rendang."
"I'll take chicken," John said.
The stewardess reached into the cart to give him his meal. "And for you, miss?"
"I'll have chicken too."
Once they set their food on the tray, Clara decided to continue their conversation. "As I was saying," she began, taking a bite of the appetizer. "I'm impressed, so is that what you mostly do, teaching and researching?"
John took a sip of his coke. "Most of the time – the university I work for works closely with the Met Office, so I sometimes do consultation work too but enough about me – tell me about your regular workday."
Clara chuckled. "Trust me, it's not as great as yours – so there's lots of planning, my students are constantly asking how the stuff they are learning is relevant and applicable in the real world and there's a lot of marking – oh, and it's definitely a struggle to get them to behave."
"I'm amazed you have the patience to handle them," he commented, finishing his meal. "The chicken is surprisingly good."
"I agree, I've flown with the airlines a couple of times and this is the first time I'm blown away."
Throughout the long flight, John and Clara chatted about other things – books, movies, favourite restaurants and even their respective hometown. It was a surprise how quickly they got on well. It was as if they had been friends for years. They were bonding so well that Clara even moved to the empty seat next to John, so they could talk a bit more privately.
"I've been to Blackpool once – had to go there for a research conference but that was about a decade ago – I like the town."
"Are you saying that just to avoid offending me or do you genuinely like the town?" Clara teased, causing his face to redden.
"No, no, I really like it," John answered shyly. "Your turn."
She pondered for a moment. John is definitely Scottish, but she wasn't entirely sure which part of Scotland he's from… Glasgow, maybe?
"I'm probably going to get it wrong, but Glasgow?"
He gave her a boyish grin. "Glasgow, Bishopbriggs to be more specific – haven't been home for almost fifteen years, actually."
Clara furrowed her brows. "Why is that?"
John shrugged. "I've been living in London for 25 years now and there was never really a reason for me to travel to Glasgow – a lot of my family members live in London or close by too, but I suppose the streak will stop soon – my cousin's getting married."
"You don't sound too pleased."
John shifted his body a bit to face her properly. "Oh, don't get me wrong – I'm pleased she's getting married but I'm not looking forward to seeing some of my relatives – let's just say they are constantly trying to introduce me to someone in hopes I'll stop being single."
Clara wasn't entirely sure why, but she became giddy at the mention of him being single.
"I have a half mind to pretend to be sick just so I could miss the wedding and avoid being lectured by my relatives, but I can't possibly do that to Amy," he continued.
"Trust me, it wouldn't be as bad if you have to attend your father's own wedding alone and to make things worse, my future step-mum will probably point it out," Clara said.
Suddenly, both paused and stared at each other. It was as if they had thought of the same brilliant idea.
"You're not thinking what I'm thinking, are you?" she asked.
"I am," he confirmed. "Do you think it will work?"
"We're getting on really well, to be honest."
"Which is why I thought about it - it sounds crazy but I like it."
They stared at each other before they laughed and looked away.
"What do you think?" John asked, unsure if they were serious about it.
Clara thought for a moment. If she took John to her father's wedding as her boyfriend, she wouldn't have to suffer through the wedding alone and Linda probably won't insult her about her hopeless love life for once. "I like the idea – your family will stop pestering you and my future stepmother will stop insulting my love life."
It sounded like a ridiculous plan, but John could imagine the look on his aunt and uncle's faces when they see him with a beautiful woman. He would get the last laugh for once.
They shared another look and it was all the confirmation they needed. It was strange how they were just strangers a few hours ago, and now here they are, talking as if they were the best of friends.
The lights in the cabin dimmed.
"We should swap numbers once the plane lands," Clara suggested, leaning against her seat and covering herself with the blanket provided.
John smiled, stretching his long legs a bit. "I was just about to say that."
Halfway through, they fell asleep until the flight crew began serving breakfast. John was the first to wake up. He blinked a couple of times to adjust to the dark cabin. It was then he realised a weight on his left shoulder.
Clara currently had her head resting on his shoulder, still sleeping. He decided to let her sleep a bit longer before the food cart reached their seats.
Ten minutes later, he woke her up. "Clara," he whispered, loud enough to stir her awake. "Do you want breakfast?"
Her eyes fluttered opened before she realised she was using John's shoulder as a pillow. "Sorry," she murmured sleepily. "You could have told me."
She could feel her cheeks getting hotter by the second.
"Didn't really want to wake you up," John mumbled shyly.
"So, I guess we'll get in touch at some point then," Clara spoke, as she and John made their way to the arrivals area after they had exchanged numbers and collected their luggage.
John flashed a small smile. "It seems so," he said.
Half of his mind told him the plan was ridiculous and would somehow backfire, but his other half could easily imagine the look on his aunt's face. Hopefully, it will give his family a hint to stop bothering him.
"I'll text you soon," Clara declared. "It was nice meeting you, John – you made the 12-hour flight enjoyable."
"You too," he replied, watching her as she made her way to the tube.
Silently, he walked to the car park and searched for a familiar face until a car honked at him.
Amy stepped out and waved at her cousin.
"Thank you for being kind enough to pick me up," he said, once he reached the car.
"Not a problem – someone's been waiting a whole week to see you."
Amy opened the car door and a German Shepherd jumped out, running to John.
It circled its master, tail wagging and tongue sticking out.
John patted the dog's head. "I've missed you too, K9."
He continued to lick John's face until he was told to stop.
"And thanks for taking care of my dog, too."
His cousin grinned. "The pleasure's mine – K9 was very helpful at the café, weren't you, K9?"
The dog barked in agreement as he and John entered the vehicle.
As they left the airport, Amy decided to get to the bottom of it.
"Is there a reason why you were smiling like an idiot when I saw you?"
John coughed, looking out the window. "I have no clue what you're talking about – I'm just happy to be back home," he explained, scratching K9's ear.
Amy Pond took another glance at the rear-view mirror before she decided to let it go. She knew her cousin well. John Smith hated long-haul flights and he would usually be grumpy after getting off an aircraft, but not this time. Whatever the reason may be, she would surely find out in time.