The sky is dappled with colour. Charlie can see blue from her windscreen looking to the north, but every time she glances in rear view mirror, she can see silver, and dark grey. Cumulonimbus clouds building in the south, the sun reflecting off their towering perfection. Every time she stops at the lights, she tracks their speed in the rear-view mirror. Her blue eyes reflecting the colour of the clouds, turning from a bright blue to a grey the longer she stares intently. Despite hoping they will pass early in her shift, they move slowly. Normally weather like this doesn’t worry her. Controllers are known to throw in the towel early in their careers when they realise they are only reason planes stay apart. She always felt people like that were weak, but this isn’t a job for everyone she would think to herself. Today though she is rattled.
She enters the staff car park and parks further away than normal to avoid the huge gum tree whose limbs are dancing in the wind. She struggles with the car door and her handbag, trying to get out in one swift move. Looking up to the sky she sighs, the blue sky disappearing behind a wall of clouds which are becoming greyer and more menacing. Closing her eyes for a moment, Charlie gives herself the pep talk she would in her training, reminding herself that she is an exceptional controller who now trains the next generation, that never has she had an issue. These pep talks, seldom needed over the past 10 years of her career creeping back in more and more frequently. A sudden gust of wind awakes her from this moment and almost knocks her off balance. The silence she was trying to create in her mind overcome by the sound of the wind, the crashing of the waves and the engines departing aircraft, fighting against the wind to become airborne. As she flings her handbag over her and begins her walk to the centre a four-wheel drive comes speeding into the carpark. She sighs once again, knowing she will not make it into the break room now for a few more quiet moments before she has to speak to aircraft for seven hours. The four-wheel drive stops, the occupant lowering the window.
“G’day Charlie, glad we’re on shift together.”
“Hi Steve,” Charlie says frustratingly.
“I’ll just park and we can walk in together.”
Charlie takes a deep breath waiting for Steve to park. She kicks the rocks in the carpark with the tip of her brand-new designer boot, slightly scuffing it and whispers ‘shit’ under her breath.
Steve swaggers over to her and she is once again caught by his face, handsome in the way a country boy is, rugged and slightly weathered. He smiles at her, his dark eyes focusing on her face, and then he motions his head towards the sky.
“This weather looks a bit gnarly this afternoon, eh? Will probably pass quickly though. Mark still out of town?”
“Yes, Mark is on the Kangaroo route this week but taking a few days in London to catch up with his Aunty.”
“Any more word on him going domestic?”
Charlie sighs once again “No, he wants to check out on the A350 when it comes in, but he is also saying he will kick himself if he doesn’t get any time on the Dreamliner too. So domestic will be a way off.” She begins to quieten, her tone growing more serious. “We talked about it again last night.”
Steve stops and grabs her arm, looking into her eyes. “I know you’re lonely right now Charlz.” Charlie pulls her arm from his. They have worked together for years, but Steve has a reputation for being a ladies’ man and right now, she feels at her weakest.
“What are you playing at Steve?” He smiles at her cheekily. “All I was going to say is a few of us are heading out for a couple of drinks after work tonight. Why don’t you come along? Let your hair down and have some fun with the boys.”
She smiles at him, the first true smile on her face in a while, he is right, she is lonely and could do with some company.
“Actually, you know what, that could be just what I need.” She smiles at him.
“And you’re already dressed for a night out,” he winks at her. Charlie laughs, already feeling more relaxed and ready.
“You’re on then.”
“And I promise I won’t try anything,” he laughs. “They’ll be rumours aplenty with us walking in together as it is.”
*This is a short exceprt from a work in progress as part of my Dip. Creative Writing.