Amidst the constant background buzz of the cabin, with passengers chatting and the sporadic beep of a call button, Sandra found herself tuning out the noise. Her attention was laser-focused on the woman and the man beside her, their pairing striking her as odd. ‘I hope he’s not her partner,’ Sandra thought, feeling a mix of concern and disbelief. ‘That just wouldn’t sit right…’ With each sip the man took of his beer, Sandra kept a watchful eye, silently willing him to leave his seat.

The smell of coffee drifted from the galley, mingling with the recycled air, reminding Sandra of the long hours ahead on this flight. She made mental notes of the woman’s actions—the way she looked out the window, then quickly glanced around the cabin, and the nervous tap of her foot. These small details stood out to Sandra, signaling that all was not well.