“Johnny, is it okay if I show Damian the view from our balcony?”
“Of course,” said Johnny, putting down his beer bottle. “Knock yourselves out.”
Up to that point, Johnny had said nothing, nor did he appear to be concerned, chatting amiably with Mrs M and Cheryl. Every now and again he checked his phone beneath the table, something Antoni had been doing for the whole meal, probably playing another online game. Indeed, before long, as Frank and Damian left, Johnny turned his full attention to Helen, who had been sitting enjoying a glass of sparkling wine and savouring Cheryl’s company.
“So, Helen,” he said, “how long have you been flying?”
“Ten years,” said Cheryl, answering first, her cheeks flushed with alcohol. She placed a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, Helen.”
“That’s fine,” said Helen, grinning at Cheryl before straightening up at the question. “Cheryl’s right. But I only obtained my commercial pilot’s licence just over two years ago. Even so, I’m still mainly flying light aircraft in this neck of the woods. I was just telling Cheryl. That baby out there is an amphibious Cessna Caravan 208B. Has retractable landing gear for land or water landings. Flew her out of Glasgow with Daim, although she’s normally stationed at Loch Lomond.”
“How many people can she carry?” asked Karl.
“She’s fitted to carry six, four passengers and two crew. But others are configured to carry up to nine.”
“Do you fly for a living?” asked Antoni, finally putting his phone away.
“Heavens, no,” she said, grimacing. “I’m a physiotherapist by trade. On the Bulls’ payroll, thank you very much. Think if I flew for money, I wouldn’t enjoy it so much. And at the moment, I absolutely adore flying in my spare time. I’ve flown light aircraft all over the world—Bermuda, Ottawa, Florida, Sydney and, my most favourite of all, Kenya. Flying at low altitude over the national parks and seeing the wildlife below.”
“I bet that’s amazing,” said Cheryl. Trevor grinned. Damian Ingram was not the only new arrival being hero-worshipped. “What I wouldn’t give to experience something like that.”
“Maybe one day,” said Helen, smiling at her.
Oh yes, thought Trevor, definitely chemistry there.
“Forgive me a moment, folks,” said Johnny, standing up from the table and putting his phone in his pocket. “I’d better go and rescue Damian. Otherwise Frank’s likely to bore the poor bastard to death.”
“And if it’s okay with everyone, I need to turn in. I’m feeling a little tired and out of sorts,” said Mary, who did indeed appear pale.
“I’ll take you up,” said Karl, about to rise.
“No, you won’t,” said Mary, firmly, before kissing him on the cheek. “I’m only going to climb in bed and fall asleep. I’d rather you stayed and enjoyed the company.”
Almost as soon as she had left, they continued the quick-fire questioning.
“Biggest plane you’ve ever flown?” asked Antoni.
“I co-piloted an ATR 72-210. Carrying around seventeen passengers.”
“Scariest moment in the cockpit?” asked Jessica.
“Hot coffee spill in the co-pilot’s lap,” said Helen, causing everyone to laugh. “When he screamed, I nearly wet my pants.”
When Helen started talking at length about some of the ‘incidents’ she had been involved in, everyone became so mesmerised they barely noticed the three men return. Johnny and Frank seemed fine, only Damian appeared a little flushed. For a fleeting moment, Trevor wondered what had happened, but then, after a few moments, he too started laughing along to Helen’s aeronautical tales.
Later, when Mrs M herded everyone into the living area so she could clear the table, attention turned to Damian. Enthusing about his antics on and off the field, he had relaxed into his usual entertaining self. Rudy took the opportunity to pull Trevor away, to help Mrs M with the last of the dishes before leading him to the bedroom.
“Are you tired?” Trevor asked.
“Not in the slightest.”
“You want to say goodnight to everyone?”
“Nuh-uh,” said Rudy. “Let them chat. I’ve heard everything Damian’s got to say a hundred times. And I want you all to myself. I’ve already missed one night—I’m not wasting any more.”
“Just as well I’m not tired either.”
“One thing, though,” said Rudy.
