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the same All2gethr logo the passengers had seen at the winners’ lounge. The animated alligator graphic sprang into life, uncurling itself from the globe and popping the cork on a cartoon bottle of champagne. Computer generated bubbles filled the screen, arranging themselves into a single word: ‘CONGRATULATIONS!’
     

    “The riches.” Max grinned at Jo, who smiled back in agreement.
     

    Dave stroked the soft leather arm of his seat, luxuriating in his surroundings, peering out of the window with glee in his eyes.  

    “Can you see it yet?”
     

    “Oh-my-God!” Gwen already had her head out the window on her side of the limo.
     

    Max and Jo followed suit, opening the sunroof and standing up to get a better look.
     

    “Check it out!” Jo exclaimed.
     

    There it was, in the distance, the embodiment of material success fashioned from metal, glass and rubber - a gleaming white private jet. As the stretch limo drove nearer, Jo saw the words ‘ Deppart Airlines’ emblazoned on the fuselage. She grinned at Max as the crosswind blasted their faces.
     

    “Yeah! Woo- hoooo !” Max hollered, ecstatic.
     

    The others joined in, their gleeful voices buoyant on a collective wave of excitement and anticipation for the adventure to come, as the limousine drove on.
     

     
     

    Jo and the others clambered out of the limo, eyeing the jet in awe.   It was even more impressive at this close distance, all sleek lines and immaculate paintwork. The side of the aircraft, nearest the nose, had ‘Challenger 604’ painted on it in fancy gold calligraphy. The cabin door was open, stairs down in welcome. A stocky baggage handler, dressed in overalls and a fluorescent tabard, started loading their bags into a luggage apartment under the watchful gaze of the limo driver.
     

    Dave bounced up and down on the tarmac. “Yeah baby!”
     

    Gwen sidled up to Jo. “Boys and their toys, eh?”
     

    “Yeah, got to confess though, I am just a tiny, weeny bit impressed.”
     

    “Me too!” Gwen laughed. “Who’s going first?”
     

    Dave already had one foot on the steps. He stepped back, gesturing to Gwen that she go first.
     

    “After... me!” He squeezed in front of her and hopped up the steps.
     

    “You swine!” Gwen laughed and followed behind.
     

    “Age before beauty,” Jo said to Max, who smiled, grabbed the handrail and climbed the steps.
     

    Jo followed close behind and paused for a moment before boarding, feeling uncomfortable. She turned, looked back down the steps and caught the luggage man eyeballing her. Jo held his gaze for a few seconds before turning back to the jet entrance. Men like him looked at her like that sometimes, especially when she had to run the gauntlet of the building site around the corner from her workplace, but she’d caught something else in the baggage handler’s eyes. Was it contempt? Maybe he was just resentful that she and the others were flying to New York in style while he lugged their suitcases around on the runway like a lackey. He wouldn’t be scowling if he knew how crappy her day job was, that was for sure.
     

    Goosebumps formed on Jo’s arms and she wasn’t quite sure if they were the product of the man’s stare or the intensifying crosswind. She took a lungful of air and stepped inside the aircraft. It had been such a long time since she’d flown.
     

Three
     

     
     

     
     

    The Alligator’s familiar voice greeted them one-by-one over a loudspeaker as they entered the plush private jet.
     

    “Dave, Gwen, Max and Jo - welcome aboard! We hope you enjoy your flight.   This is Deppart Airlines executive charter flight D-665 to New York.”
     

    Classical music lulled through the cabin like a calming breeze. Dave led the way inside. The jet’s compact interior was impeccably stylish, all pristine marbled surfaces and warm lighting. Four stylish beige leather seats, each with a computer touch screen, dominated the central cabin space. The