“She hasn’t complained once.”
Graham stared at her.
“Excuse me?”
Lily realized too late that she had contradicted him again.
Before Graham could respond, Tess entered with empty cups stacked in both hands.
Graham turned toward her.
“Tess. Did the woman in 38 complain?”
Tess stopped.
Her eyes moved from Graham to Lily.
“I didn’t see anything.”
Graham smiled without humor.
“See? Nobody saw anything.”
“That’s because nothing happened,” Lily said.
The words escaped before caution could stop them.
Graham’s face went still.
For a moment, only the rush of air and the rattle of service equipment filled the galley.
“You’re on probation, Lily.”
“I know.”
“Your probation ends Friday.”
“I know.”
“Remember who writes your evaluation.”
Lily swallowed.
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
His voice dropped.
“Because I don’t think you do.”
He leaned closer.
“Nobody serves row 38 unless I say so.”
Lily stared at him.
That was not a safety instruction.
It was not a service procedure.
It was punishment.
For the passenger who had not protested and for the junior attendant who had spoken once.
“Okay,” Lily said.
Graham opened the curtain.
“Good.”
He returned to the cabin.
Tess remained behind.
For several seconds, neither woman spoke.
Finally Tess whispered, “Just get through Friday.”
Lily looked at her.
“What does that mean?”
“It means Graham’s been here forever. You haven’t.”
“That doesn’t make him right.”
“No.”
“Then why does everyone act like it does?”
Tess looked toward the cabin.
“Because being right doesn’t keep you scheduled.”
She picked up the cups and left before Lily could answer.
For the next half hour, Lily worked exactly as instructed.
She served rows 35 through 37.
She served 39 through 42.
She passed 38C twice without stopping.
Mrs. Ashcroft never raised her hand.
That somehow made it worse.
The woman had asked for nothing beyond the blanket Lily already gave her. She sat reading a slim hardcover book, occasionally looking out at the wing. Every time Lily passed, she felt the deliberate absence of service like a stain on the uniform.
Eventually Mrs. Ashcroft closed her book and pressed the call button.
The chime sounded.