“Yep, she’s quite scary when she gets going,” said Kisho.
“Well that’s because Mum taught her everything she knows,” mumbled Tom under his breath. Kano and Kisho stifled a laugh as Rachel glowered at Tom.
“What was that Tom?” she snapped.
“Nothing, nothing at all Mum,” replied a sheepish Tom.
Two minutes later and escorted by a triumphant Lela, Donald and Saki were marched into the kitchen.
“Hi guys,” said Donald as he took his seat.
“Well at last,” said Rachel. “We can start our meal. What have you two been up to?”
“Just finalising the plans for the Africa trip,” replied Donald innocently.
Tom almost choked on his drink. He had never seen his father lie so nonchalantly to his mother. It was nonetheless a very clever lie. Donald had organised a week away from the business to help support Rachel in her contribution towards eradicating unnecessary child deaths in impoverished African states. Rachel was so pleased with his support that she didn’t query any of his plans.
“Oh, good. Everything OK?” she asked nervously.
“Of course! We leave tomorrow night, as planned.”
“Anyway, tonight’s about Tom and Lela, not us. Back to school tomorrow, I can’t believe the holidays are over so soon!” said Donald.
“I know, it feels like just last week that we were on our way home but it was ten weeks ago, it’s unbelievable!” said Tom.
“I only wish term time went by as fast as holiday time,” said Lela who had now calmed down.
“If we could crack that, we’d make a lot of money,” joked Donald.
It was midnight before they realised the time. The evening, after its shaky start, had been great fun. The old Donald and Saki were back, laughing and joking as the family reminisced about Tom and Lela’s first year at The Academy. Nobody mentioned the events that had marred their first two weeks at school. It was not that they didn’t want to discuss the kidnapping of Donald, Rachel and Saki, or the fact that Tom and Lela narrowly escaped the clutches of terrorists who were attempting to prevent Donald from completing a deal which would make him the richest man in the world. They didn’t discuss it because it was just not appropriate the night before they went back to school.
“I think perhaps it’s time for bed guys,” said Donald looking at his watch.
“Aw, can’t we stay up just a little longer,” pleaded Tom. This was the first quality time they had spent together the whole summer.
“No, come on it’s after twelve and we’ve got an early start.”
“Please, Donald, just another half hour,” tried Lela in her most pleading tone.
“No, Donald’s right. Time for bed,” butted in Saki as he saw Donald begin to soften. Her mother had definitely left her mark on Lela, Tylanni would always get what she wanted and Saki was now used to Lela’s wily ways.
Five minutes later, after their goodnights, Tom and Lela made their way to their rooms.
“I’d forgotten how much fun Dad and Saki could be,” said Tom.
“Yeah, I’ve really missed them, it’s good to have them back.”
“Me too but I’ve got a funny feeling they’ll be back to their strange behaviour tomorrow.”
“Do you have any idea what’s wrong?” asked Lela.
“None whatsoever and I’m starting to get worried. I wish school was starting in another couple of weeks. I’d like to have been around to try and find out what’s going on. Anyway, we need to get some sleep. Goodnight Lela.”
“Goodnight,” replied Lela as she made her way back to the Lodge.
Tom’s prediction was nearly right. As he and Lela made their way to bed, Donald and Saki were already on their way back to the study. They had waited only two minutes before reverting to their strange behaviour.
Chapter 8
‘Frantic’ would not begin to describe the scene at the Kennedy Estate the next morning as everybody rushed to get ready for their respective trips. Luggage littered the helipad as Rachel ensured everybody was prepared for every eventuality. Finally and with twice the amount of luggage needed, they took off and made their way to the airport.
The helicopters landed at the Alba hangar which housed Alba One and Tom One. As Rachel and Lela ensured everybody’s suitcases were sent to the correct plane, the others made their way into the hangar and towards the office to meet the pilots. The office was bustling with activity as the maintenance crew and aircraft crew finalised the flight details for each plane. Alba One’s flight plan was more complex, particularly as it would be landing at a number of airports which had never witnessed nor accommodated the new Airbus A380, the largest commercial airliner. Donald had toyed with the idea of borrowing his old 747 for the trip but Tom had told him not to be so ridiculous, as long as a runway could accommodate a 747, it could accommodate the new A380.
“Dad, where are the pilots for Tom One?”
Donald looked around. “Oh I’m sure they’re here somewhere. Maybe they’re checking over the charts for the flight.”
“They can’t be, the charts are all lying here and haven’t been touched.”
“Jim?” said Donald, addressing the pilot for the A380.
“Yes Sir?”
“Have you seen the pilots for the G550?”
“No, I haven’t. What time were they due?”
“They should’ve been here by now. We’re all leaving at the same time,” said Donald checking his watch.
“Oh,” said Jim.
“We’ll go and see if we can find them,” offered Kano and Kisho, disappearing out of the office.
Tom began looking over the charts as he waited for the pilots to appear. They had plenty of time. In fact, they had a couple of days to spare. Donald had suggested they leave early and have the week-end to acclimatise before starting school on the Monday. Tom thought it was just some BS so that they would all leave at the same time. In this way, their parents wouldn’t feel guilty about leaving for their African adventure the day before he and Lela were due to go back to school.
Kano came back into the office.
“It’s Ok, we found the pilot, he was already in the aircraft.”
As Kano stepped aside, a pilot dressed in full uniform appeared in the doorway with his head tipped forward, obscuring his face behind the rim of his cap. As he entered the room, his head lifted to reveal a smiling Kisho.
“Stop fooling around, Kisho, where’s the pilot?” Tom wasn’t in the mood for jokes and looked in the main hangar for any sign of the real flight crew.
“I’m the pilot,” replied Kisho proudly.
“Don’t be silly, you fly helicopters, not jets,” dismissed Tom.
“No, I am the pilot,” replied Kisho indignantly. “I’ve been learning to fly one of those for quite a while now,” he added, motioning to the G550.
“Really?…Wicked!!” said Tom excitedly. “So where’s the co-pilot?”
Nobody replied and after a nod from Donald, Kisho produced another jacket and cap from behind the door and handed them to Tom. Tom just looked at them bewildered.
“Take them, you’ll need them to be co-pilot,” said Donald.
“But I can’t be, I’m not 17, it’s not allowed,” replied Tom.
“Let’s just say I have a few friends who made it possible,” explained Donald as he produced Tom’s new flying licence.
“Cool!!!” shouted Tom as he took the jacket and cap, trying them on immediately.
