The Prince Wasn't Part of the Plan

The fasten seatbelts light switched on, signalling the end of a long flight.

After more than ten hours in the air, London was somewhere beneath the clouds. Genevieve had fantasised about her arrival in London almost every day of her life. She had always imagined overwhelming excitement, but the reality was a mixture of emotions. Finally, she would be seeing the country of her birth, but there was also a twinge of sadness. Every time she thought of the final goodbye hug with her sisters, a lump developed in her throat and she had to fight to keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks.

Genevieve was not one for making conversation with strangers, and she had feared the old gentleman to her left would ask her what was wrong if she suddenly burst into tears.

She had felt so ready to leave home, but the moment she stepped through the gate at O.R. Tambo, she realised there was no going back. She hadn’t even left South Africa yet, but the reality of the thousands of kilometres she was putting between herself and home hit her.

She forced herself to focus on everything else.

The pilot announced their descent into Heathrow. It was overcast, and the temperature on the ground was sixteen degrees.

Genevieve felt her stomach begin to turn. She was regretting the aeroplane breakfast she’d eaten earlier.The aeroplane’s engine began to rumble, and she turned to look out the window. As they broke through the clouds, rows of terraced houses came into view, neatly packed together, separated by patches of bright green grass. Narrow roads wound between them, cars moving along them like tiny specks. Lights glowed in a few windows of the houses below. People were going about their daily routines, completely unaware of her little window into their lives. She was irrelevant in their world, while she was experiencing one of the most significant moments of hers.

As the plane descended further, she closed her eyes and clenched her fists. She hated this feeling. Then her body shook and the loud rumble of the tyres on the tarmac signalled their landing.

The old man sitting next to her chuckled as he watched her unclench her fists.“First time in London?” Genevieve opened her eyes and gave the man a soft smile.

“Kind of,” she replied. “I was born in London, but I have no memories of it.”

“Ah.” He smiled. “Well, welcome back, then.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll be just fine, love.” A slight smirk appeared on his face. “Just remember to mind the gap.”

Genevieve smiled. “Yes, of course.”

The old gentleman settled back in his seat, and Genevieve realised she’d actually enjoyed their brief conversation. England was already agreeing with her.

The plane came to a stop, there was a ping, and the fasten seatbelts light switched off. Immediately, there was a rush of people unbuckling belts and jumping up to grab their suitcases from the overhead lockers. A baby started crying behind her, and its mother argued with her husband, who was rushing to get their suitcases down.

Those who weren’t fast enough to get into the aisles first grumbled under their breath.A woman behind her muttered, “Some people! We all have to get off this plane. What’s the rush?” Genevieve smiled and remained seated, partly wanting to observe and not get in the way, but secretly eager to get off the plane.Eventually, it was her turn to enter the aisle. The old gentleman helped her with her bag.

Genevieve thanked the gentleman.Just before they exited the plane, he gave her a gentle pat on the arm. “Forgive me, but I never asked you your name?”

“Genevieve. And yours?”

“Tom.”

“It’s been wonderful to meet you, Tom.”

“And you. Good luck now.”

“Thank you.”

Tom stepped slowly off the plane and joined the flow of passengers. The air hostess wished her safe onward travels, and she stepped onto the ramp leading into the building.

Adrenaline had her moving at quite a pace.She followed the signs towards passport control, which she had been dreading. Something about having her identity scrutinised always made her feel as though she’d done something illegal.

After a few escalators and corridors, she made it to passport control. She tried her best to look like she had done this a million times before. She didn’t want anyone to know she was essentially a foreigner in her own country. At least, that’s how she felt.When it was her turn to go through the e-gates, she scanned her passport and gave the camera her bestI’m not a criminal face. The screen went green. She breathed a sigh of relief as the gate simply let her through.

It took her about an hour to collect her baggage and grab a Costa coffee at arrivals. She was desperate for caffeine and a moment to regroup after the flight.

She found a seat and tucked her suitcases under the table. She took off her backpack, which contained her passports, money and important documents, and placed it under the table, sticking her foot through the strap so no one could grab it.She took a sip of her cappuccino. She was definitely going to have to start adding a shot of espresso to these.She placed the coffee down on the table and fumbled for her cellphone, checking to see if her eSIM had activated. The four signal bars lit up on her screen, and a series of WhatsApps started coming through.

She opened the family group chat.

Lucy: Have you landed?!?!

Lucy: GEN?Sofia: Are you alive?

Mom: Don’t say things like that.

Dad: Of course she’s alive, the safest way to travel is by plane.

Sofia: Don’t be so serious, Mom. 🙄

Genevieve laughed and realised they were really thousands of kilometres away. Then she was missing her family all over again. She squeezed the tears back down. She was going to enjoy this. Sadness could be felt later.

Genevieve: I’m here, and I’m safe.

Sofia: My sister is officially a London gal 💃

Genevieve: I’m not living in London, I’ll be in Cambridge.

Sofia: Same thing

Lucy: Glad you’re safe. What are you doing now?

Mom: Well done Gen! Miss you!

Genevieve: [Pic of Gen holding her coffee]

Genevieve: Having my first Costa coffee. Not as strong as back home.

Dad: Were there lots of people on the plane?

Genevieve: I don’t know. Probably the normal amount?

Dad: So many people leaving.

Mom: Ignore your dad. Just enjoy it!

Lucy: So exciting!Sofia: Whoop whoop! First London coffee.

She was laughing audibly now, but trying to remain composed. Thank goodness for the internet. What would she have done without contact with her sisters?

She was almost finished with her coffee and needed to get to her train.Genevieve typed her final message.

Genevieve: Alright, got to go navigate the underground. Chat soon.

Lucy: So cool!

Sofia: Hell yeah!

Mom: Have fun.

Dad: Miss you buck.

She missed them too.