Chapter Eight: The Center Director
Once Charity prodded him into action, Bishop Babcock was surprisingly clever about organizing their Greenland trip. Much as she adored the older man, the lively young Beta minus had got the feeling that he was rather stodgy and dull. So it gave her a strange sort of thrill to see Humphrey take charge at the rocket pad, ordering deluxe tickets for two from the pretty Gamma Plus at the desk and giving the Deltas strict instructions on how to handle their heaps of luggage.
"We'd better eat in mid-flight," Humphrey said, once the silver rocket was safely aloft and soaring above the clouds. "There's no telling how busy we'll be once we arrive. Finding Edith could be quite a job, especially if it's just us two!"
"You and I can locate Dr. Beddington, I'm sure of it." Charity was feeling very confident as the in-flight meal was served. Nothing seemed impossible when she was dining with such an important, distinguished man! Throughout the meal, the gentle, kindly old bishop was very thoughtful about carving her steak and filling her wine glass, even sharing his sweet, sticky dessert with her by the spoonful when she devoured her own and practically begged for seconds.
"That was a proper meal," he proclaimed, yawning and sinking deep into the pneumatic cushions of his luxury seat. "What do you say, old girl? Feel like a bit of shut-eye?"
Charity giggled, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "So sleepy!" She was only teasing, yet she soon found that keeping her own eyes open was a bit of a chore. Humphrey had kept her hopping throughout the afternoon, packing plenty of warm clothes for the two of them and running back and forth to lock up his grand old country house till they returned.
When she closed her eyes, Charity could picture the bishop putting her to work, pointing to the closet and swatting her on the backside to get her going. Humphrey was so old, yet it was funny how those playful pats and pinches were really a bit of a thrill. It was such fun playing along, pretending to be a good little girl. And then there were those kisses . . .
Charity was still fast asleep with her head on Humphrey's shoulder when the rocket touched down at the isolated experimental station deep in Greenland's frigid interior.
"Come along, old girl," the bishop said, as the lights came on and a gust of ice-cold wind swirled into the pressurized cabin. "The Center Director is very anxious to meet you!"
"The Center Director?" Charity was still rubbing her eyes as the two of them took a ride on a motorized cart across the brightly lit rocket pad. Even buried in a fur-lined parka she was freezing cold. It was a welcome relief when they entered a large heated rocket hangar.
"So you're the new arrivals from London!" The tall, slim, black-haired woman in the smart blue uniform looked very crisp and organized. She was holding a clipboard and she checked off their names. "Humphrey Babcock, Bishop of London, and Charity Hill, clerical assistant second class?"
"Yes, that's us all right. Could we maybe stop for something hot to drink before we meet the Center Director?" Charity couldn't help feeling annoyed with the smart-looking woman holding the clipboard. She didn't look cold at all, while Charity couldn't stop shivering from head to toe.
"I beg your pardon?" The woman's laser-blue eyes looked right through Charity for a moment. Then she laughed. "Oh, how dreadful! I should have introduced myself first. You see, I'm Dr. Margaret Carlton, the Center Director. I've heard quite a lot about you, Charity, from my dear friend Edith Beddington. You and I have so much to discuss. But first let's get out of the cold, and have something hot to drink."
"Yes, let's do that." Charity didn't like the way Dr. Carlton acted like they were old friends. She glanced at Humphrey, but the elderly bishop was practically drooling as he took in the lady doctor's flawless face, trim figure and very long legs.