Faith in N'Awlins

As Faith sat at her desk reviewing her travel plans for the year, she couldn’t really complain. She loved how much travel was involved in her marketing role at the prestigious publishing house she worked for and she felt this year she had completed lucked out. A trip to New Orleans in April followed by a few Italian trips and Alaska later in the year. These academics really wanted a ‘good old jolly’ away from their families, with whatever shenanigans that involved.

Last year at a Russian studies conference, Faith couldn’t believe how much flirting and presumably bed swapping seemed to have gone on. Everyone in their best suits in meetings during the day and then as the hotel announced ‘cocktail time’, things usually turned into a scene from a Baz Luhrman film: ties got loosened, ladies let everything down. At this said conference, Faith had been approached by several ancient academics. One of her journal editors who she had unfortunately been asked to keep an eye on and ‘wine and dine’ said after too much vodka ‘if I were forty years younger, I’d have a crack.’ She felt quite nauseous at the comment but also a bit sad for him: a long haul flight in his eighties must have been hard on him. Fortunately, Faith found that if he drank too much at the conference, she could say ‘Do you know what Alan, I may just have room service tonight.

Shall I arrange something similar for you?’ and he usually complied.

She remembered one Russian academic at the conference who was quite persistent and kept coming round to her booth in the exhibition hall. ‘Would you let me take you for dinner? I would really like to get to know you.’

Her response was always the same ‘That sounds lovely. Would you mind if I bring my Editor Alan?’ pointing to the octogenarian. ‘I’m meant to be accompanying him to dinner.’

‘Oh, I see, well I hoped we may have been able to spend some time alone together.’

Seriously, I feel like I’m in Ancient Rome. Everyone seems sex mad.

Another reason, Faith was always on best behaviour was out of some misguided loyalty to her boyfriend back at home. Faith had been with Eddie since their final year together at Oxford and while she knew that the spark had extinguished and they were both firmly ‘mates with benefits’, neither of them had had the confidence to break it off as they were still quite fond of each other. So she carried on with her travelling and he carried on working his way up the corporate ladder at the IT firm he worked at.

As she packed up her bag to fly out to New Orleans the next day, she said to Eddie ‘Shall I call you when I get there?’

‘Don’t worry we can catch up when you get back.’

There were times when Faith never felt so alone. She lived in a house share with Eddie and his friend Simon but felt increasingly like their mother. The next morning, she rang her mum on the way to the airport.

‘Morning mum, it’s me.’

‘Hello love, how are you? You sound a bit sad. Is everything ok?’

Trying to hold back the tears Faith said ‘Yep fine. Will be good to get away. Need to have a think about things.’

‘Is all ok with Eddie?’

‘Oh yes, all fine. He’s so jealous I’m off and has asked me to call him every day.’ She felt awful for the blatant lie but didn’t want to worry her.’

‘I’ll have to come on one of your trips. Where is this conference next year?’

‘Boston.’

‘Ooh yes I do fancy that.’

‘Definitely, we can tag on some extra time to shop and explore and it’s quite a short flight.’

‘Ok darling. Have a great time and give me a call when you get to the hotel if you get chance. It doesn’t matter what time.’

‘Ok mum. Love you.’

‘Love you too darling and get a taxi everywhere. Don’t walk anywhere on your own.’

‘No mum, speak soon.’

She loved her mum so much but sometimes found talking to her confirmed how she was really feeling, and it definitely highlighted just how alone she felt in her relationship with Eddie. He just didn’t give two hoots.

As soon as she arrived at the airport, she loved to pretend she was in a film or TV series. She could be anyone she wanted for the next five days in the US. On previous trips when she’d arrived at various hotels, waitresses had approached her at breakfast and said ‘Ma’am, are you from the airline? Or ‘Ma’am, are you here for the shoot?’ And she went along with it as it was exciting to pretend to be someone completely different for a few days. It wasn’t that she hated her life, but she felt directionless, and her loveless relationship was really starting to get her down.

As she settled down in her seat, checked her phone for any messages on the remote chance there may be something from Eddie, she switched her phone off, got her soft grey pashmina and wrapped it round her shoulders before taking out her notepad, pen and a few novels. A beautiful air hostess approached her, ‘Madam I don’t know if this would be of interest, but we have a spare seat in business if you’d like to move?’

‘Oh, that sounds wonderful thank you so much’ as she grabbed all her belongings. The hostess who had the kindest of faces showed her how to adjust her seat for more room and then added.

‘And can I tempt you with something to drink? Champagne, wine, Bloody Mary?’

‘Oh, this just gets better and better. Would a glass of bubbly be ok?’

‘Of course, sweetie and you just let me know if you need more and I’ll keep it coming.’

Faith couldn’t believe it. This never happened to her. Maybe a change of fortune was on its way.

The flight was one of the most relaxed she had experienced and on arrival she jumped in a cab to her hotel.

She always tried to stay awake for as long as possible but thought it may be tricky after a few glasses of bubbly.

The Marriott hotel was hosting the conference and for ease Faith had booked herself a room in the same hotel. She dropped everything in her room and then went to explore and grab a coffee and some fresh air. She located the gym was as she found a workout helped with jet flag. As she approached her company booth, she saw lots of boxes with books and journals as well as the stand. A huge relief as she could count the times she’d turned up to a conference and boxes had gone missing or were stuck in customs.

She headed back to her room and called her mum who sounded relieved she’s arrived safely. She promised to pop into Sephora and pick up some nice eye make-up and her mum sounded delighted.

Fatigue was really starting to set in, but she was determined to try and stay awake. Maybe if she popped out and then ordered room service when she got back? Her huge bed was looking so appealing now and she found it increasingly hard to summon the energy to do anything but lie back on the mountain of soft cushions and pillows and watch TV. Maybe a cup of tea in her room and she could peruse the menu. She always loved to order a huge salad with lots of meat on it and a large glass of white wine. She found herself becoming more and more sluggish, so she grabbed the phone and ordered room service to arrive in the next hour. As she switched on the TV, she got sucked into an episode of Greys anatomy. Why is Mcdreamy and in fact all of the characters so good looking? How do they have time to work out and work all the hours required of a junior doctor? She felt her eyes start to close when a knock on the door said, ‘Good evening, madam… room service.’

She jumped up and let the young chap in who laid a huge tray on her desk.

‘One superfood salad, a bottle of sparkling water and a large glass of Pinot grigio.’

‘Amazing thank you so much.’ She wasn’t sure why she suddenly felt she sounded like The Queen.

‘Please may I ask you to sign here?’

‘Of course, thank you.’

Faith changed into her sumptuous white robe provided by the hotel, brought her tray to the bed and got under the covers. This indulgence was something she loved about travel. She didn’t have to cook for two ungrateful boys, and she had sole control of the remote control rather than having to watch Band of Brothers again.

As she sipped her Pinot it felt like nectar of the gods and she enjoyed the enormous salad before slowing sinking….

When she came round, the TV still on, bits of salad dressing on her chin and an acidic taste in her mouth from the wine, she looked over at her clock to see it was 2am. She brushed her teeth, changed into her pyjamas and attempted to go back to sleep. Tomorrow would be such a long day if she didn’t. She lay there feeling like it was 7am which it was in the UK and time to get up and get going. This was useless. She put on her gym gear and decided to head down to the lobby for an explore. She was surprised to see how many people were around, a mix of jet-lagged conference attendees slumped in the lounge bar and then those who were just coming back from a night on the town. She said hello to the concierge and said.

‘I’m just popping out for a stroll. Is it safe is I just stay in the area?’

‘Absolutely miss, you need to keep your wits about you but if you stay on canal street where it’s lit, it’ll be fine.’

‘Ok thank you.’

Faith wasn’t sure she was in her right mind so decided she’d just head out for ten or fifteen minutes. Canal street was littered with bars and as she headed down further into the French quarter, she couldn’t help but stop and stare at the architecture which looked so familiar from the countless classic films she’d seen. It really felt like she was on a film set. She was also aware of the volume of drunk twenty something year-olds and feeling slightly uneasy, decided to head back to the hotel. As she headed back in the concierge nodded to her and checked that all was ok. It was so nice to receive a bit of kindness so far from home.

She went back to her room and managed to fall asleep for a few more hours. At five, she was raring to go, so ate a protein bar and hit the gym for an hour before ordering breakfast to her room.

She headed down to the exhibition hall and looked at the space trying to work out how best to tackle. Her company preferred the designated marketing person to assemble the units which were tall and a bit fiddly so as she stood and stared for a while, a chap came over to offer some help.

‘Hi, I’m Ted, one of your authors. Can I help you set anything up?’

‘Hi, I’m Faith. Pleasure to meet you. That would be amazing thank you.’

He got stuck in and Faith couldn’t help but notice how absolutely gorgeous he was. Blond, blue eyed and muscles to die for.

‘You are so kind, honestly, I’ll be fine with the rest. I’ll have to put your book in a prominent place now.’

‘Ha! Very kind. Well, I’ll try and find out where my sessions are being held but lovely to meet you and I’m sure I’ll see you during the breakout sessions.’

‘Thank you again.’

Ted loitered for a bit and then headed off.

The girl on the booth next to her said ‘Goodness you’ve got an admirer.’

‘Oh no, just one of our authors’

As she unpacked the huge volume of books and journals, she picked up Ted’s book and placed it in the most prominent spot. She mentioned it to everyone who came by.

As the first coffee break started and attendees made their way through, Faith found herself talking to so many charming people. A group of chaps came up and introduced themselves as Editors of one of the journals she had on display. They were intrigued to know more about Faith and kept teasing her saying ‘That is definitely an Alabama accent. Isn’t it Jo?’

‘Oh, it is, Faith looks like she’s from Alabama.’

‘Ha! Stop it you lot.’

As she laughed hysterically and let out a small snort, she turned and Ted was there.

‘Oh hey’

‘Hello, it seems this is the booth to be at.’

‘Well, I don’t know about that.’ She said blushing.

‘I came to see if you needed anything. Can I get you a coffee or wait at the booth if you want to stretch your legs.’

‘Oh, that’s so thoughtful of you.’ Faith couldn’t believe how kind he was as well as incredibly delicious on all fronts.

‘Well let me know. I don’t have a session again till twelve, so I have another hour.’

‘I may just head out for a second if you don’t mind. Price lists are here and we’re having cocktails at the booth at five if anyone fancies it.’

When she returned to the booth, Ted was certainly working his charm and there was quite a group of students purchasing texts.

‘Wow thank you. I really needed to stand outside for five minutes. I lose all track of time in these halls.’

‘No problem at all. Have I earnt a cocktail later then?’

‘Oh yes definitely, maybe even two.’

As Ted left and she watched him closely, pull out some papers from his leather satchel, she thought ‘goodness nice chaps do exist.’

At four thirty, the trolley of drinks was brought over, and a very smart barman said, ‘Would you like me to make you one Ma’am?’

‘Oh, that’s ok. I’ll be on the floor if I start early. I mean, no that’s ok, I’ll wait.’

Faith was so relieved when she saw Ted turn up with his incredible smile. Would you like a hand at all?’

‘No, you just enjoy.’

As they chatted about New Orleans and how magical it was, Ted asked ‘I don’t know if you have any plans, but would you like to explore the area with me later?’

‘Oh yes, I’d love that. I did go out in the early hours this morning but would feel safer with a companion.’

‘Yes, it gets a bit spicy around Bourbon Street. Shall I meet you in the lobby at seven?’

‘Sounds great’

By the time the punters had dispersed, it was six thirty, so Faith ran to the elevator, ran to her room, jumped into the shower and put her black halter neck dress on.

Mmm is this too much? she wondered but then thought oh sod it, when do I ever have chance to dress up and with that realising she was five mins late, headed to the escalator which took you to the reception. She smiled as she saw Ted heading up the escalator to meet her.

‘Sorry Ted, those academics and their cocktails!’

‘Don’t worry. Wow you look …wow.’

Blushing she said, ‘so do you, you also look wow’ and they giggled.

Despite trying to sound quite casual about ‘exploring the area’ Ted had organised for the two of them to take a cruise down the Mississippi and when Faith felt the cool breeze, Ted leant in and wrapped his jacket around her. They hopped off the ferry and headed to a bar where a band were playing lots of Charles Mingus tracks. After they’d finished their drinks, Ted offered Faith his hand and they stood up and enjoyed a slow dance towards the end of the set. They walked around the historic quarter passing Anne Rice’s home and ended up in a very low-key restaurant where Ted found a very intimate table for the two of them. Throughout the dinner, all Faith could think about was kissing him and perhaps more. As they strolled back to the hotel and headed to a white part of the lounge, Ted said ‘would you like me to take you upstairs?’

With that she lunged herself at him and they walked to the elevator. As there were quite a few conference attendees in the elevator, she controlled herself until they got to her room.

 Undressing each other, he said ‘I’ve wanted to do this since I laid eyes on you.’

‘Me too’ and with that they made love into the small hours.

On waking, she wasn’t sure where Ted was and assumed, he had probably left and that was it but a few moments later, she had a knock on the door. ‘Morning, sorry to wake you. I forgot to take a card. I popped out for lattes and cinnamon rolls.’

‘Are you actually the perfect man in real life or is this just a conference facade?’

He kissed her deeply and then they fell back into bed.

As the conference ended and the two of them had spent the most glorious time together, Faith felt very sad at the thought that it all had to end.

Ted kissed her right up until she got into her cab to the airport and said, ‘I’ll call you when you’re back.’

‘I’d love that.’

‘Someone’s had a good time in N'Awlins’ the cab driver said. With that, Faith couldn’t stop smiling all the way home filled with the hope she needed.