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				EXPOSURE by Fran Lavery Chapter Nine       Jeff allowed Gordon and Virgil time off to visit Penelope and Matthew in London. They had to go as International Rescue, since it was the only way he knew them, and so, early that Thursday morning, Thunderbird Two had descended gracefully into Lady Penelope's back garden, to the excited clapping of Matthew, watching out of his bedroom window, Parker behind him, waving.       Penelope was already up and dressed, since she was to have company, and met them on the lawn.       "Hello, you two," she greeted them warmly and kissed them on the cheek. "We've been having such a wonderful time, I can't tell you!"       "Well, then we're alive with jealousy, because we've had very little to do!" Gordon smiled at her, "Except tease Scott, that is!"       "Really?" Penelope was curious. "What about?"       "We'll tell you all about it over tea," grinned Virgil, falling into Penelope's style.       They walked across the garden towards the back door.       "I did rather imagine he'd be coming too actually, as one of Matthew's rescuers," Penelope commented. "Still, I suppose International Rescue can't spare all its operatives all at once."       Gordon chucked. "Actually, that's little to do with it. Scott's got a major cold and fever at the moment. We left him on the couch with his Horlicks and his man-sized tissues."       "Aw," Penelope looked sympathetic. "Well I must write him a get-well card, and have him over as soon as he's better." She opened the door. "Morning tea, gentlemen?"       "Love to!" Virgil adopted British tones and bowed to her.       "Do lead the way, Penelope, dearest!" announced Gordon, just as aristocratically.       She tried to glare at them, but ended up laughing anyway.       Matthew ran to meet them in the living room, got suddenly shy and hid behind Parker. Virgil laughed and sat on the couch, saying, "Are you nervous of us, Mr Matthew?" Gordon rose to the challenge though. He hid quickly behind the couch and peered over the top at Matthew, who was watching him closely. Bit by bit, he inched closer to where Matthew was hidden, all the time poking his head over the top in a speculative and secretive manner, pretending to sneak up on him.       Since Parker was forming some sort of protective barrier for Matthew, Penelope poured the tea instead and handed a cup to Virgil. Knowing what was about to happen, Virgil put it down carefully on the table. Seeing Penelope's puzzled expression, maybe thinking he didn't like it, he pointed at Gordon and said, "He's found someone of his own mental age to play with."       No sooner had he said it than Gordon had made a sudden grab for Matthew behind Parker, and was tickling him mercilessly. After uncontrollable hysterics, (made obvious by his face and the sound of the air on his throat,) Matthew had run, like a hysterical gazelle being stalked by its ginger predator. They chased round the room, while Penelope relocated the teapot to the safety of the table, and Parker thought it better to get out of harms way by standing back to the window.       "Matthew! Matthew, over here," called Virgil excitedly, and Matthew changed direction, leapt onto the couch and hid behind Virgil. "Gordon Tracy!" Virgil announced, wagging his finger at him, "You stop chasing Matthew right now, or I'll tan you!"       Gordon pulled an overly shamed face, and Matthew popped his head out over Virgil's shoulder and poked his tongue out at Gordon, making horrific faces and noises in his direction before collapsing in quiet laughter again.       "Aw, poor Gordon," Penelope soothed, indicating a chair. "Don't worry, I won't let that big, bad Matthew near you again." Gordon had wiped pretend tears from his eyes and nodded, his lip wobbling. They all caught the giggles then.       The day had continued that way; like a stageless pantomime, and Virgil and Gordon hadn't really wanted to leave so soon. After gossiping with Penelope all morning about what Tracy Island's residents were up to, especially Scott and Jessica, ("Oh, how lovely! She must come and stay with me sometime, so that we can get properly acquainted."), they had all gone blackberry picking in Penelope's extensive grounds. Then they'd played frisbee and tig after lunch and had enjoyed blackberry tart for desert at dinner. A few games of snap, and it was time to leave already.       Waving from the lawn, the figures that were Penelope, Parker and Matthew became smaller and smaller to Gordon, leaning out of Thunderbird Two's observation panel, until Virgil advised him to shut it, because he was about to activate full speed.       Virgil tuned the radio into KCLL and they sang their way home, (though Virgil was appreciatively better than Gordon, truth be known.) It wasn't until they were a mile from the island that Virgil stopped singing and examined his radar screen in alarm.       "Sit down, Gordon!" he instructed sharply, "I'm turning her around!"       Confused but obedient, Gordon strapped himself to the red couch just in time, as Virgil suddenly threw the huge craft into a screaming ninety-degree turn. At two thousand miles an hour, it was a nervy experience, but as Virgil continued heading in the direction of the South-polar ice caps, he explained. "There was a craft near the island, possibly arriving or leaving, but either way, security wouldn't been entirely secure had a planeful of people seen me park this baby on Tracy Island…"       Just at that moment, their father's voice over the radio cut off the music. "Virgil?"       "Reading you, Dad,"       "Sorry about that, son. That was the mail plane, and I kinda forgot that you were due home around this time. Quick thinking, well done." A pause, then, "It's all clear now."       Virgil righted the direction of his craft, and upon arrival, hovered and rotated slowly over the runway, until Thunderbird Two was facing the sea in launch direction again. Then he landed and ran backwards into the cliff-face hanger. Gordon was already changed out of his uniform, and performed the last minute checks while Virgil disrobed. Together, their journey from Jeff's radio connection to them entering the lounge took barely six minutes.       Jeff and Scott were already in there, and TinTin walked in just at that moment with a tray of coffee.       "Hello there, you two," she called happily. "How was Matthew?"       "Just great!" Virgil smiled. "Thanks for letting us go see him, Dad. I know it was a risk, taking Thunderbird Two, but we had…"       "Forget it, Virgil," chuckled Jeff, pouring the coffee. "I'm glad he was okay. And Penny and Parker?"       "Well," Virgil began, looking to Gordon for help in explaining their day. Gordon was a great storyteller. He then realised that Gordon wasn't paying any attention to the conversation. He was looking at Scott.       Scott had been set up on the couch in his training vest and boxer shorts all day. He'd often said that he found staying in bed boring, unless he was asleep or 'had company'. On the couch, he could rest to his Father's satisfaction and still be involved in everybody's conversations, nosy as he was. He hated to be left out.       Now though he wasn't lying down, he was sitting up, a discarded envelope by his side that told Virgil Scott was reading what the mail plane had come for.       Gordon looked worried, and Virgil saw why. Instead of looking 'off colour', as he had this morning, Scott had gone a deathly white. He was staring at the letter he had received with utter shock. Now Jeff had noticed him too, and looked at him questioningly, "Scott?"       Scott looked up with detachment, put the letter to one side, and with shaky steps and wet eyes, made his way across the lounge in the direction of his bedroom.       Gordon picked up the letter and scanned it quickly. He too, then gasped with horror and paled. On to Chapter Ten.