Chapter 13

When we arrived at Gatwick, there was a sign with an arrow that just had ‘Turbulence’ on it. It led us to a reserved floor in the North Terminal car park, where attendants were there to show us to a parking area and open the doors for us. Our driver would be back at seven, to wait for our return. Jeff and I certainly looked like we should be there as we followed more signs that took us into the main concourse, through a very quick passport check, finally arriving in a VIP lounge where some had already started mingling.

Jim was there with his new manager, and he greeted us warmly, introducing us to Michael, who looked only a couple of years older than me. I was told to go through to the dressing area, where there were dressers and beauticians and the company uniforms. I went where he had pointed, finding a room with clothes racks and a couple of pop-up make-up stations. Belle and Moyra were already being worked on, while the five, genuine, crew members were talking among themselves.

I had flown with all of them, at various times, so joined them. They all looked as if they thought they knew me, but when I told them that I used to be Jamie the steward, they all said, “No way!” and gave me a hug. I saw that they were in standard issue outfits, so I asked the dresser if there were better ones supplied. She looked on the racks and found five, on one end, with a piece of paper stapled on the hanger that said ‘crew’.

I called the others over and we sorted out which was who’s, and they excitedly took them to go to the portable cubicles to change. Cynthia came in, had hugs, and found her co-pilot uniform. Wanda wasn’t far behind. One by one, we changed into the uniforms, and sat in the make-up chairs to be made extra beautiful. The real crew had their small rollers, and they folded their old uniforms into them. We had new rollers with our film names on, where we added what we had arrived in.

The five crew members went out to meet the flight crew and get the aircraft ready, while the rest of us went back to the VIP area to mingle. The crowd grew, and I spoke to several that I had worked with in Hawaii. Jeff was standing with Larry and the other boys, plus two parents and three girlfriends. I went over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and he introduced me to the others, as Julia Leigh. I did pick up one girlfriend whispering to another that Jeff looked good but had only taken up with a stewardess.

Kurt was there, in his Captain outfit, along with Kym, who looked every inch a film star. I pulled Jeff with me and went to say hello. Kym was impressed with the new Jeff and gave him a hug. I could see the three girls we had been speaking to looking on, gobsmacked, even more so when Kurt pulled him into a man hug. I think that they must have almost passed out when we were joined by Jack, Eric in his flight crew uniform, and a few of the other stars, greeting each other with hugs and kisses.

Michael came over and told Kurt and I that it was time to go and be ready for our passengers. He had a clipboard and told Jeff what his seat number was, with the one next to it saved for me. We grabbed our roller bags and went down the airbridge. When we had collected in the cabin, Michael gave us more information.

“Under certain seats, there is a token, stuck with tape. When we’re coming back, there will be a draw of prizes, with a seat number called out, and the token showing what’s been won. If any of the seats are vacant, I’ll advise the nearest of you to move someone to it. Tell them that it will give them a surprise. There will also be an auction, with the prize good enough so only the high rollers will bid, which is what we want for the charity. All of you have seats, we haven’t filled the plane, and there will be plenty of room to move around. I’ve been told that all you girls are trained stewardesses, so you know what to do. I’m going up to start the folks moving. Have a good flight, have fun, and I hope the movie lives up to the hype Jim’s been giving me.”

He left, and we introduced the five girls to Kurt and Eric. Then I opened the door to the flight deck and said hello to the crew. The five went off to make sure the supplies were all in place, and secure for take-off, while the rest of us stood by the door.

It took a while to get them all aboard and sat. The airline owner and his board were in the first-class, the film producer, backers, David, and Irene were in business class. The scribes all had seats where they could see the bigger screens on the bulkheads, while the rest of the passengers were scattered though the rest of the plane, with all the window seats taken up. The curtains had been latched back, so you could stand by the flight deck and see to the furthest seats. I hoped that Michael hadn’t seeded the centre-aisle, as that was mainly left vacant. I had taken Mum and Bert to seats by an exit door, so they could have legroom, and Mum had given me a hug, saying “Isn’t this exciting.”

The whole cabin crew worked as one, all of us slipping into our old roles as if we were still flying. Even Cynthia helped, mainly with the scribes, who were surprised when she didn’t leave as the door was shut, and we were backed off the airbridge, at nine-forty. We all went into the safety routine as we taxied to the threshold, just for show. I made sure I did it where Mum could see me. I went and sat next to Jeff, checking that others were buckled up, as we waited in line, to enter the runway. The usual music was playing over the speakers, but the unusual aspect was the Captain telling everyone what was happening, with the tower chat filling in the gaps.

It really added to the thrill, for those who may not have flown before. He said, “Here we go” as we heard the controller call “Turbo One, cleared to threshold and immediate take-off.” He started winding up the engines as we swung onto the runway and he put them to power as soon as we were lined up, with the resulting surge. We were soon belting along as the nose came up at just on ten, right on time. When we had taken off and the seat belt light went off, I moved to the front, with Moyra, to look after the first-class. As I passed Michael, he put a note in my hand.

“I was supposed to give the introduction, Julia, but I think that you’d be better at it.”

Instead of talking to the boss, I went to the microphone on the front bulkhead, looked at the note, and then spoke.

“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests. You are about to see the first public showing of a new film. It is called ‘Turbulence’, and most of the actors are with you today. The film lasts for two hours, and we will start it very soon, as you partake of the breakfast that my crew are getting ready for you.”

I listed the stars on the plane, and they all stood to acknowledge the polite applause.

“The normal flight time to Nice International is under two hours, so the route will take us down, through France, and loop around the top of Spain, with our arrival at the Cote D’Azur at one-thirty, local time. There will be coaches to take most of you to Monaco, by a wonderful coastal road, a half an hour trip. Lunch is at Monaco, and we will take off to come home at around four, local time. Nice is one hour ahead of Gatwick time, so we will return by an indirect route, getting you back at seven. I’m Julia Leigh, and I hope you enjoy the flight, as well as the film. Thank you for coming.”

I folded the note and slipped it behind the microphone when I put it back. Then I started to serve the first-class passengers from the trolley that Moyra had pulled out. Looking up the plane, I could see the rest of the crew working. We had levelled off as the film started, on every screen, with the soundtrack coming over the speakers.

After we had served the meals, given out the drinks, and had a bite of our own, we took the trays and returned the trolleys to their places, and then we wandered around the plane as the passengers watched the film. I sat with Jeff, to sip on a drink, and he was glued to the screen. The three girlfriends were now gushing when I arrived at their seats, having realised that I was one of the stars. Larry and his parents were engrossed in the film, but his mother took the time to stand and give me a hug. My mother did the same, telling me that I was wonderful on all sorts of levels.

By the time we started the descent into Nice, the film was in the final credits. I had been able to talk to most of the passengers, including all the better-seated ones. I had referred six requests for an interview to Michael, to set up a time before the premiere. When I sat down, next to Jeff, he took my hand and kissed it.

“Greetings, you absolute star. I was almost angry when I saw the scene with Kurt; I laughed myself silly, along with everyone else, as the taxi drivers argued, and my eyes were watering as the credits rolled over the wedding. That is one hell of a movie, Julia.”

The landing was perfect, exactly on time, and we taxied to link with the airbridge. The Captain welcomed us all to Nice, told us the time and the temperature, and said he would be happy to see us all at four. When he had shut down the engines and the real crew had opened the door, the flight crew joined them to stand as we all left, the better seats first. The girls and I collected our roller cases and were escorted off by Kurt and Cynthia and were heading up the airbridge as the rest of the passengers started leaving the plane.

At the entrance to the terminal, there was a girl in a very fetching uniform, who directed us to the VIP lounge. The rest of the plane, including the lesser stars, would be led, through immigration, to a line-up of air-conditioned coaches for the trip to Monaco. In the VIP lounge, we joined the other dignitaries, with Kym’s director cornering me for an earnest conversation about the next film. When I showed him that I had read, and understood, the entire screen play, he told me that he wanted me in Tallahassee before the shooting started, to walk with him through the locations.

I saw that the five other stewardesses had come into the lounge and were looking lost. I went over, to be asked why they were there.

“If you haven’t had the pleasure, you’re about to get a photo with the boss. He does love to be surrounded by pretty girls.”

Sure, enough, we were all called to follow him out onto the airside, where we were gathered around him in front of the plane, which I could now see had the words ‘Turbulence Flight’ painted on the side, behind the logo. It was a long session, with each of us having to stand beside him and look happy, as the others stood behind us, on pallets.

After that, we were reunited with our rollers, and were taken, by coach, to the heliport, where we boarded to be flown to Monaco. Jeff was there, looking smart, so I took his hand as we boarded the helicopter, with the other girls. The boss was in another, with his pals, and Kurt was with Kym and their party, in another. David, Jim, and their party had one to themselves, and the five stewardesses took the last, with Eric, Jack, and their wives.

We were flown along the coast to the Heliport at Monaco, where a fleet of stretch limos waited to take us to the boss’s palatial residence. It was set up with a load of tables on a terrace big enough to land a helicopter, and I saw, by a windsock, that it was probably used for that. All of us in company uniforms were shown into the house, the girls to a large suite. There, we found dressers, with racks of high fashion outfits.

We took the uniforms off, and the dressers asked us if we wanted to keep them, so we all did, except Cynthia, who was sorry to see her status as flight crew disappear, but logical enough to know she’d never wear it. We all took advantage of our semi-nakedness to take turns in the spacious ensuite. Then we all found the new dresses that had been chosen for us, with the dressers making sure we were snug and zipped. I was glad that I had been given my new bottom half, as the old gaffe would have stood out under my outfit.

When we all arrived back on the terrace, I told the crew girls to make sure that they stayed close to the boss and the board, while the rest of us mingled. I found Mum and Bert at the edge of the terrace, looking out over the harbour. Mum gave me a huge hug.

“Julia, my girl. Don’t you look like a proper lady. We were just admiring the view, It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it, Bert.”

“Yes dear, and this is a beautiful spot to see it from. So, this is how the other half live? Or would that be the other one percent? We were talking about that film of yours. Hawaii looks wonderful.”

“It is wonderful, Bert. I tell you what. If you and Mum get married, I’ll give you a wedding present of a two-week holiday there, with flights. Just give me the date, I’ve got contacts.”

“That’s very generous of you, are you sure?”

“Just make my mother an honest, and happy woman, and it’s a promise.”

I went off to mingle, coming across Jim, talking to Kym and another man, who I hadn’t seen on the plane. When he saw me, he commented on how nice I looked in that dress. I said that we all looked like the cast of ‘The Real Housewives of New York’ and he roared with laughter.

“You got it, in one. While you’re wearing my creations in Tallahassee, I’ll be using pictures from the film to convince some American businesses to stock my lines. Now, can you round up the others, I’ve got a photographer so we can get some fashion shots, and I’m having one with you all around me, looking happy.”

I went off to do his bidding, and we assembled by the edge of the terrace for the photo shoot. It attracted a lot of others who snapped away as we posed with the creator of the outfits. When his photographer had finished, we were inundated with requests for selfies, which took us until the food was ready. Before we sat down, Kym asked that all those in the next film should have a group picture. We were joined by Eric, Kurt, Jeff, Jack, and a few others who had been told that they were in. There were a few pictures that the scribes took, no doubt smelling a scoop.

I called for the other hostesses to join us and had a quick huddle before we posed for more pictures, in a typical Real Housewives manner, all leg, power, and sex. We then went to fill our faces with an array of food that defied description. I saw Kym talking to the others as I nibbled. I knew that there was six of us in the film as part of the coven. I had expected that models would fill the other seven places. Perhaps that photo may have found five of the extras.

When it was time to leave, we were taken to the heliport again, and flown to Nice. We put our rollers away and checked the supplies. As we thought, the trolleys now had a substantial dinner in them, which we would start serving after the fun and games. I expected that everyone would sit where they had been, so went around the plane looking for seats which I knew that no-one had used, finding a couple of tokens which I removed, with Michael beside me, and we put them under seats we knew had been used. He noted the seat numbers.

It was a good-looking line that greeted the passengers back on board. Kurt now had a snappy suit. Eric looked years younger, telling me, as I led him and his wife to their seats, that he felt like a new man. His wife smiled and nodded. We made sure that we had everyone, closed up and were in the air just after four, local time.

Once we had levelled out, Michael handed me another piece of paper.

“Come on, Julia. You do this so well.”

I went to the microphone, made sure it was on, looked at the paper seeing that there was a lot of seat numbers, followed by ‘auction’ and then more numbers. By the looks of it, Michael was aware of what was under every seat, so not a totally random draw, and with the ones we had moved, almost everyone in the rear of the plane would get something.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking an indirect route to Gatwick, to arrive at seven, local time. We do not have a film for you to watch, but we have organised some fun and games, curtesy of our esteemed airline owner, and some of his friends. Some of you have tokens taped under your seats. No, please don’t go looking for them now, it will only spoil the anticipation. I can still some of you guys looking like you’re having a feel. I tell you, sir, stop it, you’ll go blind!”

We started calling the seat numbers. There was a lot of laughter and squeals as the tokens were read out. The prizes were good. Weekends with flights to various European cities; vouchers for our agency suppliers; tickets to popular artists at their next London shows. We came to the auction, and Michael came to stand beside me as I conducted the first one, a round-the world ticket, for two, with six stops. The bidding was brisk but petered out with Kym holding the winning bid. Everyone clapped as Michael went to give her the voucher.

The next item was two weeks in Hawaii, with flights. I started off the bidding with a reasonable amount and it went up to close to the real value of the package, with Kurt holding the winning bid. Kym jabbed him in the side and gave me a wink. I took it with another bid. I told Michael to go and give it to Mum and pointed her out to him. There was a cheer when he handed it to her. When Michael came back, I whispered for him to take it out of my account.

The next item was a Lamborghini car. That one went to close to a million, and Michael whispered that it was just short of the real price, if you could buy one. Then he went the short distance to give the voucher to Jim, the winner. Lastly, we had an around the world flight, for six, with six stops. Kurt was determined to win this one, and, as the bidding went on, Michael whispered that it would go to the charity they supported, along with the first one they had bought. When Michael gave Kurt the voucher, I called out that we would draw some more seat numbers.

There was more vouchers for salon, fashion, and shoe shops. I was happy all three of the girlfriends got one each. Mum was sitting on a salon voucher. Larry’s parents won a weekend in Paris, with flights. As we got to the bottom of the list, and the final voucher handed out, Michael gave me a hug and told me that I was fabulous. I then announced that dinner will be served and went back into stewardess mode. When the trays had all been collected and we could feel the plane starting to descend, we made sure that we had the trolleys secure, and I went to every one of our crew and gave them a hug, thanking them for a good flight. One of the real crew told me that they would fly with me in charge, any time.

When we landed and were linked to the airbridge, it took a long while for the plane to empty. The flight crew came out and the Captain told me that it was all right, the plane wasn’t needed until the early hours of the morning. There was a lot of hugging, and kissing, as our passengers left, the real stewardesses having a ball, being kissed, one by one, by film and TV stars. Kym and Kurt, and their party left as a group, as did the scribes and the airline crowd. The film crews, the families and friends looked like they didn’t want to leave.

The last to leave was Jim, Michael, and two guys who had won vouchers. They were smiling as they gave us all a kiss, one by one, and Jim introduced us to the owners of two of the biggest theatre chains in Europe and America, with the news that we would be shown on two thousand screens on the day of the UK premiere, lifting to at least three thousand screens during the week after, until the interest started to wane.

That was pretty good, for a first-time bunch of actresses. As I walked, one arm linked to Jeff and the other pulling my roller case, I suddenly felt very tired. It had been a very full day. He took the case from me and held me steady until we got to the car. I think that I had dozed off before he got in the other side.

At my place, he helped me up to my door, got the keys out of my bag, and opened it. I told him that I was all right, now and kissed him. He unzipped me and I felt the shiver of lust. Just another few weeks! I kissed him, again, and he left, closing the door, quietly. I let the expensive dress slide to the floor, fell on my bed, and dropped into a dreamless sleep.

When my bladder woke me, about four, I saw that I had smeared my pillow with make-up. I took the pillowcase off and put it in soak, then cleansed my face. Stripping off my underwear and tights, I had a good shower, feeling a lot better when I dried myself. I didn’t want to go back to bed and was feeling hungry, so put on my gown, made my breakfast, sitting to eat, while listening to the five-o-clock news on the radio.

It was amazing how alive I felt. The flight that could have gone haywire had gone like clockwork. We had made new friends, made old friends happy, had fun, and did both trips safely. The main thing, to me, was that I had connected with the new director, and he wanted me to walk through the scenes with him. I just hoped that he would keep Kym happy. Mum and Bert now had their trip to Hawaii, all they have to do is get married.

All, in all, it had been a good trip, but it did take a lot out of me. I dressed in my running gear, put my things into a bum bag and left the apartment to go for a good walk in the early morning dark, getting back as the sun was rising. Over the next week, we should get some feedback from the reviews. Not all of the scribes on the plane would be in print this week, but there would be enough to see where we stood. Next week, we had the premiere to go to, a red-carpet affair with Jeff as my plus one. After that, all I had to do was to become the woman that he now saw.

Marianne Gregory © 2024