Contents
6:25 p.m. EST
Overview
Allie boards a JFK–Heathrow flight, hiding in economy to avoid notice and wrestling with dread and guilt. She befriends editor Robin Fellows, sees a goth passenger bumped to business, and drinks to steady herself. Van dramatically joins her, staging a public proposal as their cover story. Allie accepts, spotting Frank Heck nearby, confirming they’re being observed even in transit.
Summary
Allie boards a rushed JFK–Heathrow flight and deliberately takes an economy seat to avoid drawing attention, fearing Horation Matthews might recognize her as one of those who set the dragon against him. She braces for discomfort as part of her penitent urgency and tries to disappear into the crowd.
Settling between a goth teenager and Robin Fellows, a charismatic editor presenting as a woman, Allie relaxes into quick rapport. They trade introductions and jokes about work and travel. A flight attendant “upgrades” the goth, freeing the aisle seat. Allie drinks champagne to keep her anxiety suppressed and scans the cabin for threats.
With time to think, Allie’s dread spikes. She fixates on the sense she has missed something crucial and spirals into guilt: memories of drunken encounters with Mona Kennedy, Van overhearing a call, and earlier sexual coercion by a youth pastor. She yearns for Van’s calming presence even as she doubts herself.
Van then appears through the cabin curtain, revealing the earlier upgrade was a ploy to open the seat beside Allie. They collide in an awkward, relieved embrace. Van urges her to act happy and, for cover, loudly proposes that they elope and marry tomorrow, drawing the cabin’s attention and laughter.
Allie, unable to resist playing to the crowd and grateful not to be alone, says yes. As the moment lands, she spots Frank Heck seated two rows ahead, watching. The proposal secures their cover while confirming surveillance and raising the stakes for their flight to London.
Who Appears
- Allison "Allie" ShinerProtagonist; boards JFK–Heathrow in economy to stay hidden, befriends Robin, struggles with guilt and fear, accepts Van’s staged proposal.
- Van (Donovan)Allie’s fiancé; engineers a seat switch, arrives mid-boarding, publicly proposes as a cover story, steadies Allie.
- Robin FellowsCharming editor seated beside Allie; chats warmly, provides brief comfort and cover in economy.
- Frank HeckObserver on the flight; Allie spots him watching from two rows ahead, signaling surveillance.
- Charlie SchowGoth teenager originally seated by Allie; upgraded to business, enabling Van to take the seat.
- Flight attendantExecutes the upgrade ploy, facilitating Van’s plan to sit beside Allie.
- Horation MatthewsFeared adversary; Allie worries he might recognize her, motivating her to hide in economy.