Lost for Words

Vadgy woke suddenly as a voice came over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent into San Francisco, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you.” She’d drifted off to sleep, midway through a Vogue article about Jackie Kennedy and her marriage to Onassis. How amusing Vadgy thought, that Jackie had now been married to two men who had both pursued her so aggressively in years gone by. Jack was certainly charismatic and had the reputation of being a tiger in the sack. She had to admit, she’d been tempted but ultimately, she demurred. He was a married man and the President at that. Whilst the Onassis money and the lifestyle that afforded certainly had its allure, Vadgy knew there was no way, no how, she could sleep with a man like Ari for those reasons alone. For Vadgy it had to be love and so far, no man had come close to what she felt for Kensington. The aircraft landed roughly and Vadgy was jolted back to reality. She gathered her belongings and made her way to the exit. “Thank you for choosing Delta Airlines Ms McVadge” the stewardess kindly said as Vadgy alighted. Vadgy was grateful to see her luggage appear quickly on the carousel. “One of the many benefits of travelling first class” she thought. As she reached down to grab the handle of her Louis Vuitton suitcase a hand stretched out and grasped the leather strap and lifted it away. She swung around quickly. “Hey! That’s my....”. She stopped in her tracks. “Hello Vadgy, long time no see”. Vadgy was shell shocked, frozen, and almost speechless. “Why..., Kensington, what are you doing here?”

The Return of the Vadge

She pressed her Louis Vitton suitcase shut, making sure her gold lame bikini was safely packed away. Vadgy took one last look around the villa that had been home for these past 3 months. It was lovely. She wished she could stay longer but she knew she was needed back at the station.

Coming to Mustique for an extended break was exactly what she had needed after that last case. Bianca had been right. She’d told Vadgy about the wonderful times that she and Mick had shared there and insisted she stay in their private villa for as long as she needed. She’d spent the last few months sleeping, eating, sun bathing and dancing the night away with a variety of gorgeous, eligible and wealthy men.

She had broken more than a few hearts during her holiday. It was one thing to dance and flirt but when it came down to it, Kensington was the only man for her. She wondered, would she ever see him again. Was he gone for good this time? And if he was gone for good, was she destined to be alone now? She shook her head as if to shake the very memory of Kensington away and continued collecting her belongings. The taxi would be here at any minute and she didn't want to leave anything behind.

As she gathered the last of her cosmetics from the vanity she looked up and caught a glimpse of herself. She looked tanned and relaxed. It was an entirely different woman in the mirror to the one who stood in the same spot only 12 weeks before. "That last case was almost the death of me" she thought.

Before she could allow herself to dwell any further, she heard the sound of the taxi's horn telling her it was time to return to her real life. She wasn't sure she was ready but she knew it was now or never. She grabbed her suitcase and her vanity case and closed the front door behind her.

"Airport thanks driver" she said haltingly. "Where are heading to M'am?" the driver asked politely. "San Francisco" she answered as the taxi pulled away.