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Chapter Three

     Virgil landed the little jet on the runway at Hillingdon airport, outside Illinois, USA, early the next week. As he taxied over to the small building and control tower that made up the airports facilities he caught sight of a small group of people waiting by the main entrance.
     Jumping out of the jet he walked up to Lucy and her parents. “Hello Lucy,” he smiled as he spoke, delighted to see her again. “I’ll take good care of her,” he went on to her parents.”
     “I know you will. We couldn’t wish her in safer hands,” replied her father. “Where are you planning to go? Lucy said it was a surprise.”
     “It is, for her any way. I’ve put the details in this envelope, where we are staying, and all that sort of thing. If you want to get in contact just call the hotel. I’ll be registered under the name of Virgil Tracy. We have to protect our identities you know.”
     “Yes I understand. Well, have a good time Lucy.”
     “Goodbye, darling. Take care.” Her mother kissed her, and Virgil helped her up into the passenger seat of the jet.
      They took off smoothly and headed south. “Where are we going?” asked Lucy.
      “It’s a magical mystery tour,” he replied.

     They flew direct to Sydney, Australia, and after a night at the airport hotel took off again early next morning. A shorter flight this time soon found them over land again. Deep green valleys and snow capped mountains. Virgil brought the little plane lower.                                              “Almost there,” he said.
     “Where?” asked Lucy? “I mean I’ve worked out we are in New Zealand, but where in New Zealand, and why here?”
     “We are about to land in Queenstown, one of the two best places in the Southern hemisphere for winter sports. The other best place is Wanaka, just over that hill.”
     Carefully he lined the jet up with a lake filled valley. They roared towards a range of sharp peaked mountains, and Lucy gasped aloud. 
     “Its alright,” said Virgil. “We land just here.”
     A tiny airport appeared at the end of the lake, and Virgil landed smoothly.

    That night found Lucy standing on a small balcony overlooking the lake. The night was clear and the stars were reflected in its still waters. Virgil came out of the hotel room and stood behind her.
     “I never knew there were so many stars,” she said. 
     “One of my brothers knows them all. He’s told me a few. That’s the Southern Cross over there, and Orion, but he’s upside down ‘cos we’re in the southern hemisphere, and his sword points straight up.”
     “Funny, I don’t feel as though I’m standing on my head,” murmured Lucy, very aware that Virgil had moved close behind her, as he pointed out the stars.
     “There is no up or down in space,” answered Virgil. His lips brushed her neck gently as he spoke.
     She didn’t answer. She lifted her head, turning to receive the next kiss on her lips. Virgil led her slowly back inside the room.

     The next morning dawned bright and clear. They caught the shuttle bus to Coronet Peak where they hired snowboards and boots.
     “I’ve never done this before,” said Lucy as they walked up to the nursery slopes.
     “Don’t worry. It’s tricky at first, but much easier to learn than skiing. Honest!” He grinned at her, and she smiled back. She would have believed anything of him at the moment. Kind, caring, considerate, yet, brave, bold, and amazing in bed, she had never met anyone like him before in her life.
     “Are all your brothers like you,” she asked. 
     “Not really. Scott, he’s the eldest, and the one I’m closest to, is probably most like me, but I look most like my youngest brother, except he’s got blond hair. I guess we’re all pretty different really.”
     “Well I think you’re one in a million,” she answered. 
     “Virgil replied with a kiss that nearly tipped them over on the slippy ground. Laughing they made their way off the icy path to a quiet spot at the edge of the nursery slope. Here Virgil taught her how to put on her boots, how to sideslip, to stop and how to turn. By the end of the day she was exhausted but she could link three turns in succession. Triumphant they returned to the hotel.

     After two days of boarding Lucy took a day off to give her bruised knees time to recover. Virgil took the opportunity to go off piste, while Lucy shopped in Queenstown. She brought presents for her parents and grandmother, and after some thought brought a tiny fluffy Kiwi for Virgil. She gave it to him after he returned from the slopes.
     “I thought you might like a memento of New Zealand,” she said.
     “I don’t think I could ever forget this time here, with you,” he replied, as he led her off to the bedroom. 
     Later that evening they went down to the hotel lounge. The television was on. Virgil came to an abrupt halt as the newsreader announced, “We are receiving reports of an explosion at an oil refinery in Oman. The fire is raging out of control and a group of fire fighters have been cut off by the flames. They have taken shelter in a bunker, but it is believed that they will soon run out of air, as the fire rages above them. International Rescue have been called.”
     Virgil sat down and listened as the drama unfolded. International Rescue would not let their craft be filmed, so the set had switched to a picture of the news reporter. He was almost gabbling as he gasped out the news. Lucy sat down beside Virgil, slipping her hand into his. 
     First thunderbird One arrived, and Virgil heard the familiar roar of her jets. He did not need to see what was going on, he knew Scott would be climbing out.
     Suddenly Virgil caught hold of Lucy’s hand so tightly she gasped. He had heard Thunderbird Two above the gabble of the reporter. Virgil held his breath as it landed, but he needn’t have worried. 
     “Another huge craft has arrived. It’s moving above the cleared space, and it’s coming down vertically. What a machine! Here she comes! And she lands, as light as a feather! 

     More people entered the room and watched the drama, but Virgil paid them no attention. The television showed pictures of the fire but the International Rescue craft remained out of shot. The rescue unfolded, and the trapped men were rescued. The Thunderbird craft took off, and the regular firemen began the task of putting out the fire. At last Virgil relaxed, almost as exhausted as if he had taken part himself.

     “What an organisation,” said a man standing behind the sofa.
     “I know, they’re amazing, whenever anyone is in trouble they fly in sort the situation out and then off they go again.”
     “Do you remember the Christchurch earthquake last year? One of their own people got buried in that, rescuing a couple of kiddies.”
     “They got the kids out though, and loads of other people as well. What an outfit!”
   
     Virgil was trying hard to look unconcerned. He wanted to get out of the room and away from the conversation. He had been involved in the Christchurch rescue last year, and dreaded someone saying they had been there. Yet moving now would draw even more attention to him. So he sat still, and listened to people enthuse about the organisation his family ran.

     Eventually the group began to break up and Lucy and Virgil made their escape. Once in the safety of their own room Virgil operated his watch.
     “Virgil to base.”
     “Come in Virgil, thought we would hear from you soon.”
     “I saw the rescue on the television. No pictures of the craft though. Was that Alan in Thunderbird Two?”
     “Yes, though I sent Brains with him. Alan drove the Firefly to clear the burning debris and Scott plucked the men out. They’re on their way back now.”
     “Tell Alan well done.”
     “FAB. Now, enjoy your holiday. Base out.’

     Lucy had listened to this exchange in silence. “I guess you normally drive Thunderbird Two, is that right?”
     “That’s right, and Alan, my youngest brother, flew her today. He did a good job.”
     “Who’s Brains?”
     “A friend,” replied Virgil shortly. His voice warned her not to ask further, and at once she was contrite.
     “Oh, Virgil, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I keep forgetting I’m not supposed to know about you.”
     Virgil grinned at her. “Don’t forget me completely, will you” he said.
     Lucy smiled back. “I could never do that she said.”

On to Chapter Four.