Colleagues at Gatwick Covid lab became close friends after moving to London

When Brandon moved to London from Wales in April 2021 he took a job in a Covid lab at Gatwick Airport processing PCR tests for travellers, and in June Christine, a biology graduate who had transferred from the PCR testing lab at Heathrow, joined the team; they clicked straight away, the pair say.

They bonded over long, stressful shifts handling hundreds of samples and uncertainty about changing travel restrictions, with Christine saying she was anxious about fitting in but attracted to Brandon’s friendliness, and Brandon noting they were the same age and quickly got to know one another.

The team often worked 14-hour days and the two kept each other going, sharing daily lunches in the Costa next door and finding small comforts like a favourite bean and cheese toastie; they also spent time together socially, with Brandon joining an LGBT rugby club and Christine coming along on nights out.

Brandon left the lab in September 2021 to pursue a PhD in chemical engineering and chemistry, and the pair made an effort to stay in touch; Christine moved to Spain in May last year to help with her father’s Airbnb business, where she is studying Spanish and working for him, and Brandon has visited her twice, they say, while also keeping in regular contact by WhatsApp voice notes.

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