in his life. For the first time ever he felt like he’d actually achieved something worthwhile. And he knew then that he didn’t just like skydiving, he was addicted to it – just as Johnny had guessed.
By the time Ethan had thought of anything intelligent to say, Sam had gone. He turned to Johnny, shaking out his hand to get the blood flowing again. ‘I wasn’t expecting that.’
Johnny smiled, set off walking again. ‘Remember what I said? You’re in the shit now, mate; Sam’s really got his teeth into you.’
A shout brought them both up sharp. They looked round to see someone trotting over from the side of the DZ.
‘Jake,’ said Johnny. ‘What’s he doing here?’
Ethan saw where Jake had come from. ‘Kat’s over there.’ He pointed. ‘He must’ve been talking to her, watching us jump.’
‘Having fun, are we? You and Sam enjoying yourselves with the rookie?’ Jake yelled.
‘Nice to see you too, Jake,’ said Johnny. ‘What are you doing here? Aren’t you still grounded?’
‘Don’t give a shit. Like I’m going to listen to Sam. His judgement’s totally out. He’s losing it in his old age.’
‘Come on, Eth,’ said Johnny, and carried on past Jake.
Jake stepped in front, blocking their way; nodded at Ethan. ‘He my replacement?’
‘What’s going on with you, Jake?’ asked Johnny. ‘Why are you really here?’
‘I’m asking if this rookie is my replacement; if Sam’s eyeing him for jumping with the team.’
‘No idea what Sam’s thinking,’ said Johnny. ‘He’s just helping Ethan skydive. That’s his job, remember?’
‘I remember all right,’ said Jake, getting up close. ‘I remember how you were always his favourite. Is that what this is? Another little Johnny clone for Sam to look after, eh?’
‘Hey,’ said Ethan. ‘Leave it.’
Johnny laughed. ‘Jake, shut up and piss off. You’re talking out of your arse.’
Jake pushed him, and Ethan stepped in. ‘I said leave it.’
‘Look, head back to the hangar,’ said Johnny, looking at Ethan. ‘I’ll sort this out.’
‘Yeah, that’s it, Rookie,’ said Jake as Ethan hesitated. ‘Do what Johnny tells you. Head back to teacher. Go on, like a good little boy.’
Ethan looked at Jake’s sneering face, and didn’t see the boot put out to trip him up. He caught it with his left foot, tried to keep his balance, fell forward and slammed into the ground.
‘What the hell did you do that for?’ he shouted, and pushed himself up, but he was caught in his canopy and fell back, drowning in his rig.
Jake laughed. And laughed. And laughed. Then turned and jogged back over to Kat.
Johnny reached down and helped Ethan to his feet, untangling him. ‘You all right?’
Ethan nodded. ‘What is his problem?’
Johnny and Ethan watched as Jake said something to Kat, then jumped into his Porsche and sped out of the car park.
‘He’s got an unfortunate flaw,’ said Johnny, helping Ethan pick up his rig.
‘What’s that then?’
‘He’s a tosser.’
Ethan saw Johnny smile.
‘Forget Jake,’ said Johnny. ‘He’s just jealous, that’s all. You ready for another jump?’
Ethan nodded. It was the one question to which he knew the answer would always be ‘Yes!’
14
By the end of the day Ethan was exhausted; he was already in bed when his phone rang. He’d been relieved to find his dad absent when he got home – expecting to find him in front of the TV again, ready for another argument. But tonight he was spared.
Mum was out working. Jo had called him into her room for a chat. She was in the middle of another of her weird paintings. Ethan had stared at it in fascination. He could see that it was way cool, but he just didn’t get what it was supposed to represent. That didn’t matter though; he knew he didn’t have to understand it to support her.
Now, lying on his bed, listening to his phone ringing, he checked his watch. Eleven thirty. No one ever phoned him this late. He didn’t recognize the number.
He didn’t answer and the call went to answerphone.
A moment later, the phone rang again.
Ethan picked it up, stared at it. The flat was empty now; Mum wasn’t back from work and Jo had gone out with her mates. A thought struck him – what if it was Jo using someone else’s phone because her own was dead? What if it was an emergency?
He answered. ‘Yes?’
Silence.
‘Hello?’
Ethan could hear something in the background. Wind buffeting metal. Whoever it was, they were calling from FreeFall – he’d recognize the sound of the hangar doors anywhere. They were loose and always rattled in the wind.
A