Up In The Air

Could Lucy's love for Gary conquer her terror of heights? Or might there be a way for her to avoid the trip after all?

- CARRIE HEWLETT

Lucy swallowed hard, feeling anxious butterflies in the pit of her stomach as she stared at the piece of paper on the table.

There was no way she could go-but how could she tell Gary that? He'd been so excited when he'd given her the voucher for her birthday the previous week.

"I wanted to get you something special - and I'm coming too," he'd said enthusiastically. "Just as well you were born this time of year; summer's the perfect time for a hot air balloon ride, especially with the early morning light.

Hopefully we'll manage to book a day when the breezes will float us gently across the landscape." "Can't wait," Lucy said faintly, trying to work out how she could get out of it without disappointing him. The very idea of going up high in what she considered to be a shopping basket terrified her.

She'd never been good at heights ever since her brother had dared her to climb a large tree, and she'd slipped and fallen, badly spraining her ankle. She even kept her eyes firmly on the way ahead when they crossed high bridges. Maybe it was something she should have mentioned to her partner of eight months, but the subject had never come up.

"We'll contact them in the next few days," Gary continued. "But I've booked a meal out tonight at your favourite restaurant." He'd given her a loving look.

"Happy birthday, darling." Over dinner, reasons she could tell him why she couldn't go had run through Lucy's head. Pretend she was sick on the day? Have a sudden need to visit an elderly relative? Remember a previous commitment? The duckling in orange sauce that was normally her favourite meal almost stuck in the back of her throat when she tried to swallow, and she drank far too much red wine in an effort to help the food down.

Gary had been attentive and worried.

"You normally have such a good appetite," he'd said, taking her hand.