The Last Resort(3)

Amelia clears her throat. ‘Mine too,’ she says, ‘but that’s the only part of it we’re allowed to talk about, right?’ They all stare at her, and she takes in their expressions.

It’s not hard to recognise fear.

She gives them a small smile, surprised again at how out of place she feels here. Despite all she’s achieved, she feels like that lost girl she was at school. Not fitting into one group or another. Everyone slightly bemused by her, although she could never really work out why. A creeping sense of dread washes over her, just for a moment. Then it’s gone.

The older woman scowls, then drops the paper into her bag, saying nothing more.

The girl in the seat behind Amelia finally takes off her headphones. ‘Anyone know where we’re going then? This is such fun!’ Her accent is pure Made in Chelsea, her smile full of perfect, too-white veneers.

‘Nice of you to join us.’ Her man-bunned companion pokes her in the ribs and she giggles.

Camera-guy sighs. ‘Can’t be going too far, in this thing. Right?’ He addresses Amelia, and for a second she can’t speak. Why would he assume she would know? Although as it happens, she does.

‘This is a modified PAC Cresco. It’s usually an agricultural plane, used for short distances. We can probably travel five hundred miles without refuelling, unless the wind is against us, in which case it’s more like three hundred. I suppose that could take us to Guernsey or maybe France, at a push—’

‘Wait,’ the American says. ‘Where’d all that come from? What are you, a pilot?’

Amelia shakes her head. ‘No. I just have some experience getting flown around—’

‘Well, damn. Impressive. But Guernsey – that’s hardly a luxury retreat, is it?’

‘Actually—’ the helmet-haired woman starts, but she’s cut off by a voice coming over the tannoy.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to the start of your adventure . . .’

As he speaks, there’s a mechanical whirr as the blinds come down. Amelia raises an eyebrow. All mod cons in this plane, then. Most other times she’s flown in one of these, seats were removed to make room for supplies, and the windows were filthy with ingrained grime. Certainly no automatic blinds.

‘Please ensure your seatbelts are securely fastened,’ the captain’s voice continues.

‘Oh, I hope we’ll be getting some refreshments soon,’ Headphone-girl’s shrill voice comes from behind her. ‘I’d love one of those miniature G&Ts!’

She’s soon drowned out by the sound of the engine starting.

‘Aren’t we having a safety demonstration?’ someone shouts from the back. It’s harder to pick out the voices as the noise intensifies.

The plane starts to shudder, and then it moves. Slowly at first, taxiing along the runway. Amelia has flown during the small hours before, so it shouldn’t be so disorienting, but she usually knows where it is she’s flying to. All part of the adventure, though, she supposes. The plane picks up speed and she leans back in her seat, closing her eyes. Her hands grip the armrests on each side. It doesn’t matter how many times she’s flown, she still feels nervous. Still feels ridiculously relieved when the plane lands safely.

Her stomach flips as the plane lifts into the air. The whining of the engine is loud now, an angry screech, vibrating her whole body with its strength. She knows it’ll calm down soon. Once they’ve reached their cruising altitude, the plane will level out, the noise will abate, and she’ll be able to stop gripping the armrests quite so hard.

There’s a click as the tannoy switches on once again. ‘Please relax and enjoy your short flight.’

Odd, Amelia thinks. Odd that they’ve chosen such a small plane with no cabin crew, but the passengers are taking up all the available seats as it is. It’s not the best way to put everyone at ease. The plane is steady now, the engine noise a drone rather than a screech. She takes her hands off the armrests.

‘Is there even a toilet on this thing?’

She turns her head and sees that Helmet-hair near the back of the plane has removed her seatbelt and is in the process of standing up.

‘Sit down, lady,’ the American barks at her. ‘No one said we could get out of our seats yet.’

The woman opens her mouth to respond, but she doesn’t get a chance to speak.

The fasten seatbelt lights above each seat start flashing red. Then a pinging starts, and the plane lurches to the side. The woman falls back into her seat and swears under her breath.

‘Told you,’ the American mutters.

The plane lurches again, and the pinging gets faster, louder. The plane dips and tips, and Amelia grabs the armrests again, tighter than before.

‘Wowee!’ Man-bun shouts, his voice full of wonder rather than fear. ‘Is this part of the adventure? Because you can consider me truly adventured. What d’you think, babe? Maybe they’ll do a loop the loop!’

Amelia daren’t look round. She feels a dull ache in her chest and a flurry of hot fear coursing through her veins. She tries to take a deep breath, but it sticks in her throat. A stabbing pain starts above her left eye. She knows what this is.

She looks up at the console above her head, with its flashing lights and constant pinging, and waits for the little door to open.