“Good morning passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes. Thank you.”

Dax stood in the airport's lobby with his phone pressed against his ear and his right hand hidden in his trouser pocket as he paced back and forth with a frown on his face.

“I am coming home, dad!” Dax mumbled, and yet there was annoyance in his tone.

“Have you won Miss Smith's heart yet?” Mr. Ash’s angry and...