Excess All Areas Read Free

with it. It was warm, it was sweet and it filled her whole head up with its comforting scent. There was absolutely nothing on Earth as wonderful as Corfiot air and it made Freya feel welcome every time she visited.
    ‘ Excuse me; we’re in a bit of a hurry.’
    One of her fellow passengers nudged Freya’s shoulder and she was brought back to the reality of having just landed with Britain’s fraught and impatient holidaymakers, desperate to start queuing for their suitcases. There was nothing like a bit of argy-bargy for your bags to really get you into the holiday spirit.
    And thinking of spirit, the brandies in Freya’s stomach were swimming around nicely with the chocolate, but her insides were suggesting from the groans and rumblings that she should think about getting them some company pretty soon.
    After a short bus ride, that Freya never thought was really necessary, she arrived at the terminal and was at last stood in Corfu International Airport, waiting to have her passport scrutinised. While she was stood in line she scrutinised the photograph herself. She had been just twenty one when it was taken, nine years ago. Her hair was long and brown and she wore huge spectacles that made her look like a cross between an owl and a headmistress. She was almost unrecognisable now, apart from the weight. The weight hadn’t changed in nine years.
    The queue for passport checking was unmoving and Freya decided that now was as good a time as any to call Emma. She just hoped that she answered, as she hadn’t considered what she would do if she didn’t.
    Freya turned on her mobile. There were now fifty four missed calls and a low battery. She scanned down the phone to Emma’s mobile number in the phone book and pressed ‘call’. Nothing happened. Freya checked the screen and it revealed she had no network coverage. This could not be happening! She knew she was able to make international calls, she had always been able to make international calls, from anywhere to anywhere, so why wasn’t it working? What was she going to do? She had no money to make a call from the public phone. She was stuck in Corfu Airport with no means to get out.
    Just as she was about to go into full blown panic mode the words ‘Vodafone Greece’ appeared on her phone’s display, together with a full signal. Freya took a long slow breath and mentally thanked the Greek Gods - or at least those representing communication.
    The phone rang several times in that infuriating continental way until at last:-
    ‘ Freya! Happy Birthday!’
    Emma’s voice answered and Freya smiled, feeling comforted by the sound of a familiar voice.
    ‘ Thanks and thanks for the card and the earrings, they’re lovely - very me,’ Freya responded.
    The queue in front of her began to move at last.
    ‘ So what are you up to? Russell taken you out somewhere nice?’ Emma enquired.
    ‘ Not exactly,’ Freya answered moving towards the booth ahead of her.
    ‘ What time is it there? I still get confused, what with clocks there going forward and back,’ Emma continued.
    ‘ It’s ten to eleven,’ Freya replied and she braced herself for her friend’s reply.
    ‘ No it can’t be. That’s what time it is here Silly,’ Emma spoke.
    It was at that moment the airport announcer decided to tell the terminal, in Greek and English, that the flight going to Stansted was about to leave from gate three.
    ‘ Freya you’re at Corfu Airport aren’t you,’ Emma stated matter of factly.
    ‘ Oh Em, act a little surprised please!’ Freya begged.
    ‘ Nothing surprises me with you. I can’t remember the last time you made a planned visit. I’m getting used to it,’ Emma admitted.
    ‘ I’m sorry, I didn’t know where else to go. I’m stupid aren’t I? I shouldn’t keep doing this when I hit a low. I should have called,’ Freya began.
    The tears were welling up in her eyes already and she was now fourth in the queue. She was feeling weak and that in itself made her angry.