The aeroplane landed at 10.49 in JFK New York airport but it took another 20 minutes until Sandra had collected her luggage and was in the place they had agreed to meet. She looked around at the vast array of restaurants and shops and then looked at her watch. 11.20. Where was he? She wasn't that surprised, he was always late for everything. Finally a familiar figure was wandering towards her with a faint glow at his mouth.
"Gerry!" Sandra called, then realised that he did not go by this name anymore. He made his way through the thick, noisy crowd towards her and gave her a hug. Sandra wasn't the 'huggy' sort but hugged him back anyway, she hadn't seen him for years and he looked older than when she left but with a zest for his new American life.
"Good journey?" Gerard Lestade (Gerry's new and old name) asked.
"Would have been without the screaming baby in the next row" Sandra sighed. Gerry just laughed.
"When are the others coming?" Gerry asked Sandra. This meeting had been planned for months but with Gerry supposedly dead Sandra was the only one he made contact with.
"Their plane gets in at 8.00 tomorrow morning." Sandra clarified.
After a night at Gerry's new flat Sandra felt relaxed and excited for the future. She woke Gerry up at 6.00 so they would be at the airport ready to meet Mr and Mrs Lane when they arrived. It didn't take long once they were at the airport to find them, they heard a woman's despairing voice say "Leave it Brian you can sort it out later!" and sure enough Esther and Brian were sitting on seats just along from the entrance.
"Brian, Brian! They are here!" Ester exclaimed and jumped up to give Sandra and Gerry a kiss.
"Lovely to see you both again!" Sandra said warmly and they all headed out to pile into Gerry's Mustang, catching up on all they had been up to since they were last together.
The Mustang pulled into a reserved parking space outside a beautiful terraced house that had been converted into apartments. Gerry led the way up to the first floor and into a large airy kitchen and dining space.
"Oh this is lovely" Esther remarked and Gerry took them into the second largest of the three bedrooms. Sandra went into the smallest room she had stayed in last night to organise her things that she hadn't had the chance to and Gerry put on the kettle.
About 10 minates later the four of them were gathered around the solid wood table discussing the situation they were in.
"I know you're all wondering about Max" Sandra started but was interrupted by Esther.
"Don't if it upsets you Sandra, we know what happened."
"No, no you should hear it from me too, things weren't great anyway between us but I thought it would work out. I had no idea he was involved in such serious things and well, now I wish I'd made more of an effort. It's just I'm no good with men -" Gerry sniggered then stopped himself after a scathing look from Esther. "and I thought there might have been a chance there. The funeral was lovely though, just what he would have wanted." Sandra finished.
None of them really knew how Max had died or why, except for Brian (he had explained it to Esther in a rush and she pretended to understand but all she understood was that he was Sandra's French boyfriend who had died in difficult circumstances).
"Oh Sandra, I'm so sorry" Esther quietly said.
"Yeah, well it's over so I'd rather focus on the future now." Sandra replied.
"Speaking of which" Brian started. "Are we going to solve this case?"