The Travel Auction

by Mark Green

  “Bloody hell!”

  Justin was staring at the screen. An attractive girl with mousy hair, probably around five feet four, slim but with partially visible curves, was standing in a shower cubicle, half turned towards the camera. She was naked, with cascading water frozen in mid-air around her. It was a stunning shot that grabbed my attention. The real genius however, was that the newspaper front and back pages opened across the middle part of the photograph, barely covering from the lower portion of her milky white breasts to just below the hemline of an imaginary mini skirt. The image was even more erotic because the expression on her face was quizzical yet warm and couldn’t possibly have been posed for. It had been captured, almost as if she were unaware the photograph was being taken.

  Justin was salivating as he studied every inch of the photograph.

  “You lucky, lucky bastard! What the hell are you waiting for? Pick up the damn phone!”

  * *

  Kate Thornly (the 2nd)

  There was something odd in Maria’s behaviour. She was desperately trying to conceal her excitement, so I asked her outright what was going on. I should have known she was up to something.

  “I’m taking you shopping,” she said.

  “I don’t need anything.”

  “I do. Come on, humour me, I value your opinion.”

  I shook my head and smiled. It was a private joke when we went shopping together. I’d sit by the fitting rooms and Maria would ask what I thought of the endless clothes she would try on. I’d agree or disagree with the fit, colour and suitability, etcetera, confusing the hell out of the shop assistant who was by then convinced I had absolutely no taste. Afterwards we’d have a coffee and laugh our heads off as Maria mimicked the reaction of the shop assistant to our double act.

  Sitting in Maria’s car, I was none the wiser. I heard the car boot open and then it slammed down again, rocking the car - something heavy having been thrown in. I turned to face Maria as she climbed into the driver’s seat.

  “Couple of bits for the journey,” she said.

  “Oh. We’re not going local today then?”

  “Not exactly.”

  I shrugged, it made no difference to me. I had the whole day and besides, I enjoyed our little adventures.

  * *

  Me

  “What about a contingency plan if…” I began.

  “Relax. You spoke to her, right? And she didn’t give any sign of backing out or being a loony, so it’s all good, we have lift off. You’re gonna have the most amazing time, forget all about the other Kate Thornly and it’s happy days.”

  I took a deep calming breath. As if I wasn’t nervous enough about the whole trip, I’d now be going with a complete stranger. Even so, it was exciting to take off travelling for three months. And her picture was dynamite!

  Reading her letter again, seeing the photo and speaking to her on the phone had definitely fed my ego. I reckoned I was in for a raunchy trip and I was secretly rubbing my hands together. After all, any girl who was willing to send in that sort of photo had to be up for a good time…

  * *

  Kate Thornly (the 2nd)

  “You did what?!”

  If I was expecting a sheepish apology, I was soon put right.

  “Listen, you can do this. The man wants you. It’s the adventure of a lifetime and don’t you dare back out. What the hell else have you got planned for the next few months? You’ve been tiptoeing around life ever since… what I mean is, it’s all organised. I’ve even found your passport, naughty minx - it took me ages. You’ve a backpack in the boot with all the essentials. So sweet pea, you’re going to South America!”

  I’ve no idea how long my jaw hung open, but it was long enough for Maria to reach across and gently push it back up.

  “We’re meeting him in an hour. Tomorrow morning you’re getting on a plane. First stop is Argentina, then Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. You better get him to send back some pictures, the girls all clubbed together to make this happen and will want to hear how you’re getting on. Angel, are you okay with this?”

  I was unable to say anything for a long time. How do you react to something like that?

  “YEEEEHHHARRRR!!!” I screamed out, a nervous reaction rather than an excited one, as a big knot formed in my stomach.

  “WHOOPPPEEEE!!!” I shouted again, and then broke into a fit of giggles that quickly developed into tears. What sort of person wanted to go travelling with me? What use could I possibly be?

  Maria screeched the car to a stop, undid her seat belt and reached over to hug me.

  “You’ll be okay, this is just what you need. You can do this,” she repeated over and over as I cried into her shoulder.

  * *

  Me

  I woke abruptly, in a cold sweat. It was the same nightmare that had haunted me since mum died. Was it really a month ago? I shuddered and leant over to check the clock; 3:16am. I felt the familiar guilt well up. I hate hospitals, always have. And those last few visits to see mum were awful. I’d get hot, then feel sick and have to get out. It was the smell, clinical and desperate…

  I screwed my eyes tightly shut, remembering my own recent stay in hospital. I don’t remember much about the ambulance ride, only the expression on the paramedic’s face.

  “You had us worried there,” she’d said, in a tone that was both concerned and disapproving. She didn’t look me in the eye again.

  What on earth had I been thinking? I wasn’t a nutcase, I had a good job, career prospects and… I allowed myself a wry smile. Nutcase. Now there was an irony.

  I took a deep calming breath and sank back into the pillow. In just a few hours I’d finally be leaving all that behind, flying away on an incredible adventure. There was just the small matter of meeting my new travel companion.

  * *

  Kate Thornly (the 2nd)

  As we got closer to the hotel I felt the butterflies in my tummy playing havoc and a mixture of nervous excitement flooded through me. I suddenly realised that Maria had been speed talking for the last half an hour, not unusual for her, but I wondered if it was something more than just being nervous on my behalf. Then it hit me. She was trying to stop me from thinking too much. I suddenly realised there were questions I needed answered.

  “How did you get round the issue of a recent photo?”

  “Oh, just a bit of clever desktop editing. Nearly there,” Maria replied, a nervous twitch in her voice.

  I wasn’t convinced but was running out of time to interrogate her because she started slowing down.

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Maria made a left turn and stopped the car, remaining silent for a moment.

  “I caught you unawares. I taped a newspaper across the frame of the bathroom door and took a photo of you in the shower. I got the headline and date in the foreground and you in the background.”

  “Hang on, that was the day you told me it was lightning outside. But it was the flash going off?”

  “Erm, yes. Come on, let’s not be late,” said Maria, climbing out of the car. I followed her as she opened the boot and picked up the rucksack she’d brought.

  “You haven’t told him, have you?”

  But my words were lost in the whirl of the revolving door and I suddenly found myself standing in the hotel lobby. I started to shake my head, and then couldn’t help giggling. This was going to be the shortest blind travel date in history.

  * *

  Me

  I was quite taken with Kate Thornly the 2nd the first time I saw her. She stood

  in the lobby looking a bit lost, waiting for her red-faced friend to arrive heaving a huge backpack. Maria, I think her name was. The first inkling that something wasn’t quite right started to sink in as I approached Kate to shake her hand in a friendly, but business-like greeting.

  “Hello there, you must be Kate Thornly. I’m Jonathan Cork.”

  Kate smiled and offered her hand. I was so caught up in the nerves of meeting her that I didn�
��t spot anything amiss.

  Thud!

  Maria dropped the pack off her shoulder next to Kate, puffing from the exertion.

  “Good luck lugging that around South America. Right, that’s me done. Gotta run. See ya.”

  I raised my eyebrows as Maria hugged her friend and whispered something in her ear. Then she grinned and winked at me, offering a passing comment as she turned and walked out of the hotel.

  “Look after her, she’s a real angel.”

  I frowned as I watched Maria scurry away. Something was niggling away at the back of my mind. There was an awkward pause as we both stood there.

  “Right, well. Um, would you like a coffee, have you eaten?”

  “Coffee would be great, thanks,” she said, in a light Scottish accent.

  I nodded, picked up the pack (which was bloody heavy) and walked over to the comfy sofas in the corner of the lobby. I set the pack down and turned to offer Kate the nearest seat, confused to see her still standing in the same spot. I walked back to her, a little sheepishly.

  “Anything I should know?”

  “Perhaps. Yes. Definitely. I didn’t write the letter to you, or speak to you on the phone, my friend did. It was to broaden my horizons, bless her. The photo was also her doing,” said Kate Thornly the 2nd.

  “Oh.”

  We stood there like a couple of lemons as a couple leaving the hotel filtered past us, intrigued expressions on their faces.

  “Shall we sit down, have a chat? I’m sure we can straighten things out. You have a backpack, so presumably you’d be willing to come along?”

  “Why the hell not. Lead the way,” she said, raising her elbow to form a gap between her body and arm.

  “Of course,” I said, then hesitated.

  An amused smile broadened on her lips.

  “The reason Maria applied for me is because I‘m not the easiest of travel companions…”

  “No? Why not…”

  I still cringe when I think back. How could I have been so stupid not to realise?

  There was a long pause.

  “Because Jonathan, I’m blind.”

  Three

  Kate Thornly (the 2nd)

  “You’re... blind?” said Jonathan, horrified.

  You often hear people say I wish I’d seen the look on their face… But I think that every time I meet someone new. I could immediately tell from the tone of his voice that this situation was now a disaster. He couldn’t possibly go travelling to South America with a blind companion.

  I was convinced I’d be back with Maria in minutes. She’d whispered in my ear before she left that if it all went tits up, she’d wait for me in the car park for an hour. Which of course was bound to happen. There was no way I could go off travelling around South America with a complete stranger, I was blind, not stupid!

  “I’m sorry you’ve had a wasted journey… couldn’t possibly go with me… rugged terrain and, um... have enough trouble looking after myself... erm… have you come far…?”

  I could hear him pacing as he rambled on.

  “Jesus, I need a drink!” he muttered and walked away.

  * *

  Me

  I knocked back the large whisky in one, wincing as it burned its way down my throat. What the hell was I going to do now?

  * *

  Kate Thornly (the 2nd)

  I stood there for some time feeling ridiculous. Surely he’d be back, apologising for being so rude?

  Nope.

  Okay, sod you mate!

  I had a vague idea which way the main entrance was, so I knelt down and felt for my rucksack. Having worked out where the straps were, I heaved it onto my back. Maria wasn’t joking, it weighed a ton!

  I could feel the occasional waft of fresh air from the revolving doors, which presented me with a bit of a problem. It’s all down to timing, you see.

  Chop, chop, chop. The doors whirled past the opening like an airplane propeller in slow motion. Now, which limb did I want to lose first?

  * *

  Me

  Thwack!

  I lifted my head from my hands and opened my eyes, the noise just beat my conscience in pulling me back to reality. I twisted round in my seat to see Kate Thornly the 2nd standing by the revolving doors, her backpack wedged in them. I watched, bewildered, as she felt her way into a vacant segment of the doorway, stepped over the rucksack, then hauled it in after her. It took a moment for the penny to drop — she’d thrown the rucksack into the door to stop it spinning, clever girl! The middle-aged couple stuck in an opposite segment with their noses squashed against the glass weren’t amused however and started banging on the glass.

  I jumped up and rushed over, fighting the temptation to laugh.

  * *

  Kate Thornly (the 2nd)

  “Alright, keep your hair on!” I shouted, pushing against the revolving door with my forehead as I dragged the rucksack with my left hand and trailed my right against the curved glass, waiting for the gap.

  There! go, go, go!

  I leapt into fresh air, but wasn’t quite fast enough yanking my rucksack out and I felt it jam against the next part of the door.

  Bugger!

  * *

  Me

  The middle-aged couple were now banging furiously on the glass, trapped only a few inches from the hotel lobby.

  Outside the hotel, an irate Kate Thornly the 2nd tried to heave her jammed rucksack out of the door, but it wouldn’t budge. It took me a few seconds to realise that I had to push the door the opposite way to free the rucksack, so I attempted my best apologetic smile and pushed the door against the angry couple.

  I heard a scream and saw Kate Thornly the 2nd tumble backwards, having put all her weight behind pulling the rucksack just as the door released it. The couple pushed past me, swearing. By the time I got to Kate Thornly the 2nd she was sprawled on the floor in a dishevelled heap.

  “Kate, are you okay?” I said weakly.

  “Piss off, you rude arrogant bastard!”

  “It was just a shock, the blindness thing... here, let me help you up,” I said, putting my hands under her arms to lift her up.

  “Take your fucking hands off me!”

  I stepped back as she stood up, dusted herself down and pulled sweaty hair out of her eyes.

  “I’m not a cripple!”

  “I’m sorry, I was just trying to help,”

  “Then get my rucksack and buy me a sodding drink!” she said, wiping her tearful eyes.

  * *

  Kate Thornly the 2nd

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so humiliated,” I said, taking a gulp from the glass of wine, banging it on the table.

  “Your friend conned us both, so technically it wasn’t my fault. You can’t blame me for...”

  “Technically you’re a coward for running away!”

  “It was a shock, alright! From your reply to the advert, I was expecting...”

  “What, exactly? Someone able-bodied? Not disabled? Not a liability?” I shouted at him.

  There was a long silence, during which I hoped he was squirming uncomfortably in his seat.

  “Someone who matched the description given to me,” he said quietly.

  “Well boo-bloody-hoo! Have you never internet dated? People are never as they appear. It’s all smoke and mirrors and bullshit self-marketing. Wake up to the real world Jonathan! Maria told me you were a decent guy who had integrity. So where’s the match in that description?”

  * *

  Me

  What a complete and utter mess. I watched her sink back into the chair, arms folded, angry as hell. I wondered how quickly I could get rid of her without a big scene.

  “Look, I’m sorry you feel deceived too, but she’s your friend. You have to take some responsibility for Maria stitching us up.”

  “That’s no excuse for your reaction!”

  “Okay. I’m sorry. You’ve made a fair point. I didn’t handle this meeting very well. But clearly this, us travell
ing together, isn’t going to work. I apologise for wasting your time. I think its best we shake hands now and go our separate ways.”

  “You’re not even prepared to give it a try?”

  “How can I? If after a few days or weeks it’s not working out, what then? I’ve already paid out a fortune. Not your fault I know, but the cost of your full fare back to England part way through the trip would be massive. And I don’t have that sort of money. Do you?”

  “No.”

  “Exactly. It’s all or nothing. And let’s face it, we’ve hardly got off on the right foot. So I can’t take the risk. We need to cut our losses and go our separate ways.”

  That ought to do it, I thought, relaxing. I’d just have to adapt and muddle along as best as I could on my own. I stood and offered my hand.

  “It was, um, an interesting experience, meeting you.”

  * *

  Kate Thornly the 2nd

  I sat there for a moment, thinking.

  The hell with it.

  I stood up and offered my hand. Much as I hate to admit defeat, he was right. We couldn’t possibly go travelling together, especially with no way out if we didn’t get on. I felt him clasp my hand briefly, then pull away, in a hurry to send me on my way.

  But in that split second I changed my mind. Why the hell shouldn’t I have the same opportunities as any other girl? And I can be pretty determined when I want to be, or bloody-minded and stubborn, depending on your perspective. I gripped his reluctant hand and didn’t let go.

  “By the sound of your eBay advert, you can’t go alone. That nut allergy will kill you if you don’t have me with you.”

  Silence.

  Good, keep going with both barrels.

  “I was a nurse until three years ago. My eyesight hasn’t gone completely, yet. I can see very close up, after a foot things get blurred, further than that, not much. I’ve got something called Retinitis Pigmentosa. It’s hereditary and it’s only going to get worse. There’s no cure. But I still have my nursing skills. And you have a problem I can help with.”