“I paid a premium for a quiet environment to do business.”

“I understand that, sir,” Emily said.

“But the passenger manifest is correct.”

The man let out a sharp breath and shoved his blue leather briefcase deeper into the bin above our heads.

“This airline used to have basic standards,” he said.

He stepped back and dropped heavily into seat 1B, right in front of Sophie.

He snapped his heavy brass seatbelt buckle shut with a loud metallic clink.

Sophie pressed her face against the soft blue wool of my sweater.