She calmly closed her eyes and stretched luxuriously as the plane levelled and the engine note returned to a gentle murmur.

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She calmly closed her eyes and stretched luxuriously as the plane levelled and the engine note returned to a gentle murmur. They had reached a cruising altitude. Smiling, she pictured the hot sunny beach that awaited her for the next two weeks.

Suddenly the quiet was shattered by the pilot's hoarse voice erupting over the tannoy system.

"good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! On behalf of myself and all the staff aboard we hope you have all had a pleasant journey so far. We have now reached an altitude of 13,000 feet and the weather is overcast. It's now approximately 4 hours and 47 minuets until we reach the destination of Mexico City. We hope also you are finding our facilities and food to your standards. I hope you enjoy the rest of you journey."

There was a loud crackling and the speakers went dead.

The man in aisle C was looking pale. He had been edgy all the way up. He looked as if he was about to explode if he didn't get off the plane then and there.

        The steward took the food trolley down the aisles. When he got to aisle D the woman in seat 12 ordered a coffee and a sandwich.

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        Slowly, she sipped the hot brown liquid and was just about to tare ravenously in to her food when it happened.

At first it wasn't too loud but it began to get louder as she focused on it. It sounded like nails on a chalk board. It was just about to get to an unbearable sound level when it started to get quieter.

        It seemed like he just couldn't take it any longer. He stood up and bolted for the toilet. The whole plane seemed to jump as he slammed the door.

        The noise had almost vanished. She was beginning ...

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