Surprise Melody Flintkote. Part Two
Copyright© 2019 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 45
The landing was, according to the older gentleman, just about perfect. The Goose is an amphibian and RCAF Station Rockliffe had a seaplane ramp for Royal Canadian Air Force flying boats. The Goose landed on the runway ... not the river.
The old gentleman’s allergies must have been bothering him because he resorted to a florid handkerchief quite a bit as he narrated a quick history of the airfield. The saddest part of the impromptu history lesson was the changes to the base as it was being abandoned.
“I trained here ... didn’t graduate in time to make The Big Show but I was in on the Poland Relief Effort after the war.” He made a grand gesture, “All this was officers housing, other ranks barracks and maintenance buildings. They took it down piecemeal ... took years. Gone ... all gone...” and so was he. Lost in memory.
So ... this busty 13 or 14 year old redheaded kid stepped up.
“You this Surprise I’m supposed to ferry to to the Water?” she asked.
Now ... understand ... I was expecting a pilot. What was standing in front of me looked like a kid playing dress-up ... or trying out a Halloween costume ... whichever ... she was NOT old enough to fly. I looked skeptical and it showed.
She stuck out her hand like a human and I shook it.
“Wendolyn Wanzor Elizabeth Austin ... the Third ... Junior. Never Trey or Third or Trip ... Junior. I’m cursed to be forever short, busty and redheaded. I know I look 13 ... I’m 20 and hold certifications for damn near everything that flies. I brought the Goose because David said you bought my house and Pentwater doesn’t have an airfield., He said you have a monster catamaran. I’ve never experienced a catamaran ... I’d like a ride ... please.”
While this rather scattered introduction was in pre ... and post amble ... there were dignitaries and others of their ilk waiting and wanting to interrupt so they could press flesh and pose for the flood of cameras of the Media.
What could be heard of the prattle in the background was variations of a theme ... the theme being ... mostly, “I wouldn’t have come if my campaign manager hadn’t called to say SHE was going to be here.” One may substitute any type of personal assistant for ‘campaign manager’ to suit what one overheard. Even though the event had the participation of most of the private pilots of Ontario it wasn’t important enough to get Them out of bed without the Princess’ presence.
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