"No, this is educational. So, welcome to round two of Beat the Manuals!" Martin announced happily from the other side of the flight deck door. Flora chuckled, Martin was in a good mood, she'd ask him soon; away from Douglas, though – she didn't need him to get jealous, they were competitive enough as it was.
She opened the flight deck door. "Hello, gentlemen. Arthur asked me to ask you if you needed teas or coffee but we only have around twenty minutes left, if I'm correct, so I've come to annoy you instead."
"Oh, thank God!" Douglas yelled in relief.
"Only because you're losing Beat the Manuals," Flora smiled fondly.
"How do you know I'm losing?" Douglas demanded indignantly.
"Because it's Beat the Manuals; when was the last time you picked up a manual?" Flora smirked.
"I will put you over my knee, young lady; but I think you'd enjoy it too much," Douglas winked.
"No, I'm dominant – I'll be the one doing the spanking Mr Richardson." Flora couldn't help it when that slid from her lips. Wait until the next flight to ask Martin – it'd look wrong.
The flight deck door opened again to reveal Carolyn and Arthur. "Drivers, how long 'til we land?"
"We've just started the descent, Carolyn, so about twenty minutes," Martin informed. The professional in the uniform – he already made Flora go weak at the knees.
"Excellent. Now, Douglas, I am having lunch with Herc. Can you give Arthur a lift home?" Carolyn asked.
"Sorry. Happy though I always am to pick up the pieces around your hectic love life, I'm afraid as soon as we land I'm driving to Twickenham. I've got tickets for the rugby World Cup final."
"Cup final? But… doesn't that mean it's Birling Day?" Arthur asked.
"Birling day?" Flora frowned.
"A client who hires us every year to take him to the World Cup final," Martin informed Flora.
"He also gives really good tips," Arthur beamed.
"Carolyn, haven't you told him?" Martin inquired.
"Told me what?"
"Arthur, there isn't going to be a Birling Day this year," Martin reported sadly.
"What?! Why not?!" Arthur demanded in high-pitched in indignation.
"Because this year the final is in Twickenham," Martin shrugged slightly in that adorably shy, one-shouldered way he did.
"Well, so?"
"So, Mr. Birling lives in Sussex. To get to Fitton he would have to drive through Twickenham; and while he certainly has more money than sense, I don't think anyone has that much more," Carolyn
"Oh, no. I love Birling Day." Arthur sounded so… disappointed.
"Me too," Martin sighed.
"Do you?" Douglas raised an eyebrow.
"Well, no, but I could do with the money," Martin admitted.
'Why does Martin need money?' Flora asked internally.
"True. And I wouldn't say no to a free bottle of Talisker," Douglas smirked.
"Talisker? As in the whiskey?" Flora frowned. 'Anytime you wish to include me!'
"The bottles of expensive whisky I provide for Mr. Birling's exclusive use are not 'free', Douglas. They are stolen from me,"
"And therefore free to me."
"Fitton Tower, this is Golf Echo Romeo Tango India established on the ILS," Martin reported to the tower.
Flora rolled her eyes and went back to take a seat. Douglas always struck her as someone who could lead a side-line as a charismatic thief.