right. Chloe, in fact, was too terrified to take much notice of Jordy’s discomfort.
‘What do I do?’ she cried, as she saw those below her craning their necks, their eyes wide.
‘First of all, don’t panic. Don’t make any sudden moves. If you get into trouble, just straighten the glider out. There’s nothing to hit around here. No electric pylon wires or branches of trees.’
And he was right. Above and around them was just the broad expanse of dusty air between the boards and the roofing felt. The several square suns of the attic shone down on this strange new giant bat, whose dark shadow flowed over the boards and objects below. ‘Do everything calmly, easily, gently. Now turn back towards the tank.’
‘How? How?’
‘Just as we talked about. You’re still panicking. Calm down. That’s it. Now dip your left wing – no, gently, gently – that’s it – turn back over the water – turn, gradually, don’t dip too steeply, up, up a fraction more, pretty good, Clo, pretty good – you’re a natural …’
The grim faces of the Removal Firm were staring up at them as the shadow of the glider rippled over their ranks.
Whether Jordy had meant that last statement or not it gave her the courage she needed. Once she was above the water the hang-glider began to lift on the warmer air. She kept it straight for a while, climbing every minute, until Jordy reminded her that she needed to spiral, because they were going the wrong way. He told her how to manipulate the glider, talking her through it gently all the while. Soon she was doing what was necessary, turning in circles, like an eagle climbing up the face of the sky. It felt good. It felt exhilarating. The fresh draught rippled the fabric of the hang-glider, cooled her face. She knew she was doing well.
Then suddenly she looked down and saw a vessel voyaging out on the surface of the lake. There was one occupant aboard and he looked up, startled when the shadow crossed his craft. It was Alex, sailing swiftly towards the far horizons of the water tank. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then he lifted his arm and waved to the flying couple.
Chloe almost lost it there and then. She pulled down too hard and nearly took the glider into the water. It swept so close to the surface a wave clipped Jordy’s face and spray covered his jacket. Nelson looked out, alarmed, made a mewing sound, and retreated down into the depths of the jacket again. Somehow Chloe managed to pull up at the last minute, saving the three of them from a cold wet fate. When she looked again, Alex had sailed into the heaving swell, his raft no longer visible.
‘Oh my God!’
‘No, I’m not your god, I’m just your hang-gliding instructor, which is pretty much like a miracle, however, since I’ve only flown a few times myself – but there you go. Or rather here we go. Now, turn out over the attic floor. Easy, easy. Brilliant turn! We’re on our way home. I’ve got the map here …’ He reached inside his jacket and found the map, folded to a manageable size, so that he could follow the route he had chosen. It was warm from having Nelson’s furry body next to it. ‘We obviously need to steer clear of low rafters,’ he called up to her.
They shot over the amazed Removal Firm, every one of them standing looking up helplessly at their escaping quarry.
Jordy yelled down, ‘Never seen anyone fly before?’
Obviously, they hadn’t.
Jordy then cried, ‘Hey, look – we’re over an Attican village. The bortrekker figured the whole journey would take us about four hours, to cover the distance to home.’
The draught riffled through their clothes. They were in fact riding on the back of one of the swiftest draughts in the attic: a high level layer of fast-moving air that travelled parallel to the apex of the roof. It was not one of those draughts which brought good or bad weather, but was a constant stream flowing from an inlet at one end, to an outlet at the other.
‘Go higher here,’ said Jordy, when they eventually came to a plain with tea chests dotting it. ‘Go much higher. I know it’s difficult, with the air so thin up there, but this is where the— Uh-oh, there they are!’
Below them flashed a thousand glints and sparkles.
‘Oh, how pretty!’ exclaimed Chloe, ignorant of the danger.