11
Hunith got up and looked at the clock "Oh is that the time! I'll make us some sandwiches." She relieved to have something to do. Freya came down stairs and they all tried to eat something.
They were all sat eating when Arthur's phone rang once again.
"Hi Richard any luck." He paused.
"Ok right, oh better still, what favour you needed in return?" Arthur laughed "Hang on I'll put you on speaker." Arthur put his phone on loudspeaker and put it down in the middle of the table they all went quiet.
"Hi Folks, sorry I couldn't get you on any of my regular planes. So I'm sending my personal jet to Cardiff for nine tomorrow evening. That should be better for you anyway. There are beds on board so you can have a rest." Freya frowned she knew that voice. Taking a deep breath she spoke:
"Hi I'm Freya, are you who I think you are Sir?"
Arthur laughed
"And who do you think I am?" asked an amused voice.
"Richard Branson?" Freya hoped it was or she would be so embarrassed.
"It is, and are you Freya?"
"Oh…..yes oh…..thank you." Freya was stunned. The others around the table looked just as shocked.
"That's alright Freya, pleased to help and good luck. I will arrange for my jet to bring you back when you're ready to come home."
"Thank you very much Sir. I'm Hunith, Freya's Mother" said a surprised Hunith.
"Glad to help. Now if any other family want to visit Freya when she's there, I will arrange seats on the regular virgin flights, just give as much notice as possible." Mr Branson sounded happy to help them.
"Thank you Richard, I owe you big time." Arthur said to his friend.
"Goodbye Arthur, Oh and you can pay for your own tickets alright" Arthur's friend laughed as he put the phone down. Arthur switched the phone off.
"Oh my god! A private plane, Freya, travelling like the princess you are." said a stunned Merlin.
"You've got good friends Arthur." said Gwaine with a grin.
The evening was spent sorting out all things the two women would need to take with them. Gwaine and Merlin got the cases from the attic and gave them a good clean. Later that evening Arthur went off to hotel for the night. Merlin offered his bed to Arthur saying he would sleep on the floor but Arthur wouldn't hear of it. Gwaine was going to sleep on couch as he normally did when he stayed.
Early next morning after a fried breakfast, Gwaine took Hunith to Cardiff. While the rest of them stayed behind. The Hospital in Baltimore was advised of their time of arrival and had arranged for them to be collected from the airport. Freya spent the day resting in preparation for her journey.
Merlin got a meal ready for them all to eat together when Hunith and Gwaine got back at lunchtime. Arthur spent the morning wrapping up the paintings in the packaging his sister had provided, so he could take them safely back to London. Merlin said he would prepare a something for the girls to eat on the plane. Arthur laughed:
"Don't you dare, Richards flight crew will be insulted if you do, they will be provided with all they need don't worry."
Merlin continued to thank Arthur all morning until Arthur finally shouted at him:
"Shut up you idiot or I'll set Morgana on you when we get back to London."
He heard no more from the young man.
When Hunith and Gwaine got back they ate the meal that Merlin had cooked for them. His cooking was as good as Arthur had been led to believe. Hunith went upstairs for a lie down whist the boys cleared up the dishes. Merlin took the perishable goods to the next door neighbour and made sure everything in the house was put away for the period it would be empty. Hunith's neighbours promised to keep an eye on the place for them.
Arthur, Gwaine and Merlin packed the car and then early in the evening, after a quick snack they all set off for Cardiff airport. This time Arthur drove with Hunith beside him, and Gwaine and Merlin in the back with Freya between them. The two men hugged the worried girl all the way to the airport. Merlin was trying to reassure her, but he was just as worried as she was. Now all the rushing about was over they all had time to think. Gwaine tried to keep up a constant stream of chatter to help keep the twins minds off what was happening, but he knew he wasn't being very successful.
Arriving at the airport Arthur went and found where they were to go. The passports and formalities were soon over and it was time to say goodbye to the two women.
Merlin did his best to remain upbeat as he hugged his Mum and sister, who were both crying. It was too much them all. They promised to ring as soon as they were at the hospital in Baltimore, by the time they had gone out of sight even Arthur has damp eyes. The men watched the private jet take off before setting for London.