Once on board, Blake stretched out and relaxed into deep air cushions.
"It's a good feeling to have some luxury again," he admitted. He lighted a cigarette from his crushed package and O'Toole accepted another. They watched quietly as a few despondent looking passengers filed in and sat down. A tense undercurrent of feeling was at once evident to Blake's keen eye. These travelers were here because of necessity. Not for their own pleasure.
He was totally unprepared for what happened in the next ten minutes. A girl came in. Before Blake could register surprise, she had uttered a little cry of joy, plunked her smart little body down at his side and thrown her arms around his neck.
"Oh! Darling! This is a surprise." He felt rich, warm lips press tightly to his own, brown eyes staring lovingly into his.
Suddenly the eyes widened in surprised horror and she stiffened. Her fingers went limp against his neck. Her lips tightened. She jumped up and sank limply into the chair opposite him.
"Oh!" She blushed profusely. "Oh! Heavens, I thought...."
Blake's face burned. Blood rushed to his cheeks and emotions he hadn't felt for years came rushing back into his body.
"I—I didn't expect...." he started.
The girl had collected her wits.
"I'm—I'm sorry," she said. "You look so much like someone I know...."