She resumed control of the Swallow and turned towards a small private aero club on the outskirts of Colchester where she’d landed a couple of times before. Fortunately, the grass strip was clear and she did a circuit and waggled the wings to indicate that the other plane should go down.
He landed safely and taxied to one side so she could follow. Whoever this man was, by the time she’d finished with him he was going to regret his decision to fly out to sea.
Two
Jack Reynolds remained in the aircraft until the Swallow had taxied to a standstill. He was in for a right bollocking after his stupid error – he’d flown out to sea believing he’d seen a boat in distress but when he’d arrived it had proved to be a false alarm. Someone had fallen overboard from a small fishing boat but the man had managed to scramble up the nets and back into the boat.
His intention had been to circle the craft until a lifeboat came out to rescue them. The skipper had waved him away and continued out to sea. Only then did Jack understand his predicament. The sun was hidden by clouds and the compass appeared to be on the blink. He had two choices – remain where he was in the hope that someone from the flying club would come in search of him or take a gamble and fly in the direction he thought the coast was.
He watched as two figures jumped out of the other aircraft. The pilot, a huge guy in RAF uniform, was accompanied by a bird in scruffy dungarees, flying boots, goggles and helmet.
To his astonishment it was the girl who yelled at him. ‘There’s no point in hiding, whoever you are, get out of my kite right now.’
He scrambled out of the cockpit and dropped to the ground. He raised his hands hoping to placate her but she continued to shout at him, much to the amusement of her companion and a couple of others who’d come out to see what all the fuss was about.
‘Only a total idiot would fly out to sea like you did. Have you any idea how much that aircraft cost? We only got it this morning and you did your best to drown yourself and ditch it in the sea.’ She showed no sign of stopping so he decided to end it himself.
He closed the distance between them and from a yard away made his point. ‘I get your drift, miss, and so does everyone else within five miles of here. I might be stupid but I’m not deaf.’
She stared up at him. Instead of being subdued by his size she closed the gap and poked him hard in the chest. ‘At least we agree on one thing. Flying Officer Dunlop will return the Moth and you can find your own way back. You’ll not set foot in any of my aircraft again. I don’t know who you are and I don’t want to.’ She raised her hand to prod him again.
This time he grabbed her wrist. ‘No – if you do that again you’ll regret it. Keep your hands to yourself. You’re not leaving me stranded.’
He released her, expecting his message to have been received loud and clear. The next thing he knew he was flying backwards, then lost his balance and fell flat on his back. The bloody girl had shoved him over.
He was on his feet immediately but the RAF guy stepped in between them. ‘Forget it, chum. A gentleman doesn’t retaliate.’
‘No problem as I’m no gentleman and she’s certainly not a lady.’
They were of equal size and Jack reckoned he’d flatten his opponent. He was about to swing when the girl appeared.
‘Please, don’t fight over me. I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have pushed you.’
‘I’m Ellen Simpson, this is Greg.’
‘Jack Reynolds. I can’t say it’s a pleasure miss, but this time I’ll accept your apology.’
She laughed and he wasn’t sure why. Then she turned her back and walked across to the watchers and he heard her arranging for both aircraft to be refuelled. He was buggered if he was going to be left to hitch his way back to Romford.
Whilst they were both occupied he returned to the Moth. He was tempted to take the pilot’s seat in the rear but decided he’d be pushing his luck if he did so. He was just snapping his harness shut when the girl turned.
She took off at a sprint towards him. If she thought either of them could manhandle him out they were in for a shock. Whether she liked it or not he was flying back.
This must have occurred to her as she stopped her mad dash and stalked back to join her companion. The plane was refuelled and he waited for the RAF chap to climb in behind him. He kept his eyes firmly to the front and ignored the thumping and rocking as Dunlop settled in.
He glanced sideways as the smaller Swallow revved up and taxied away. Bloody hell! The girl had chosen to pilot the de Havilland. He wasn’t sure he was ready to be flown by a bird.
*
Ellie buckled in and did her pre-flight checks before preparing to take off. A hefty ground engineer spun the propeller and she was ready. Reynolds was going to be very sorry indeed that he’d got into her aircraft. Her fury had been replaced by a grim determination to demonstrate just what she thought of him.
She wondered if he’d ever flown upside down – if he hadn’t, she hoped he would be suitably uncomfortable. Once they were airborne she flew until she could see the railway track which she intended to follow as it
