Chapter 9

Gordon lined up his jet for the final approach to Tracy Island. In the late afternoon sun, from up high, all looked peaceful and inviting.

After his confrontation with Carol he had returned to his hotel room where, watching some TV, he'd seen a news bulletin announce Migaloo4 was now out of danger. He'd phoned home soon after.

His father had cut him off and simply said to come home and they would talk then.

Once on the ground he taxied the jet toward the hanger. A familiar figure strolled across the tarmac towards him.

He slide open the cockpit door and gave Scott a wave. Scott nodded his head and he waited for Gordon to disembark and walk to where he stood. As the last whine of the jet's engines faded, the brothers considered each other.

'Hey, I'm back,' Gordon said sheepishly.

Scott said nothing.

'I'm sorry,' said Gordon suddenly deflated. He fiddled with the jet's headset which he still had in his hands.

'What were you thinking, Gordon?' his older brother sighed in frustration.

'I wasn't thinking.'

Scott shook his head, seemed about to say something then held out his hand for the headset. 'I'll finish up here.'

'Are you sure?' Gordon asked, handing it to him. He was relieved that Scott was offering to do the post-flight checks and stow the jet away. He was so mentally exhausted that he didn't trust he'd get them right anyway.

'Yes. You get to the house,' said Scott.

He was sure Scott had a lot more to say, but their father had made it clear he wanted to see Gordon as soon as he'd landed. Gordon knew it must be taking a lot out of Scott to resist lecturing him. He could take his role as team leader a little too seriously, born from his days in the air force. Sometimes Gordon felt like he had a second father hanging over his shoulder.

Gordon nodded to Scott and walked towards the house. A lecture from his father was going to be more than enough for one day.

*****

Gordon entered the lounge of the sprawling mansion. Virgil was alone, tinkling a slow melody on the piano. He looked up with a small neutral smile of welcome.

'Hey,' said Gordon.

'Hi,' said Virgil. 'You're back.'

Gordon nodded and leaned on the baby grand and watched the hammers plucking the strings as Virgil played.

Neither said anything for a few moments.

'I'm sorry,' said Gordon.

Virgil played more softly, encouraging Gordon to keep talking.

'I was in a bad mood. I had things on my mind. I shouldn't have snapped at you on the mission. I didn't mean it.'

'Ah, you remember,' said Virgil good-temperedly. 'It was a tough mission.'

'No tougher than any other.'

'Yes it was. Bad storm. Really bad storm. And it's not every day a whale gets involved.'

'True, true,' Gordon nodded wearily.

'So, what things were on your mind?' Virgil asked softly.

Gordon propped his head on his hands and could feel the vibrations from the piano through his arms and up to his head. It made his sinuses tingle and a sneeze threatened.

He hadn't planned to tell anyone about Carol. He'd planned to keep that part to himself, but Virgil's quiet and knowing ways could weasel information out of anyone just by knowing what questions not to ask.

'A girl,' Gordon said quietly.

'Ah,' said Virgil. 'A girl explains everything.'

'A girl!' a voice shrilled behind him.

Gordon turned his head. Alan glared at him.

'Hey, Alan,' said Gordon.

'Did you just say you ran off because of a girl!' said Alan, outraged.

The tinkling of the piano hesitated and then played a soft run of scales as if it didn't want to get distracted by having to play a proper tune.

'Er…yes, in a way.'

'Who is she?!' demanded Alan, hands on hips.

Perhaps Alan takes after Dad more than Scott, Gordon thought.

'It doesn't matter now,' said Gordon.

'I would think it does matter! Especially if you're willing to run out on us and leave us in the lurch to clean up your whale problem,' snapped Alan.

'Well, I'm sorry, Alan…'

'Sorry! John was in a panic and demanded to come down so he could go looking for you himself, and then Dad was furious with him and everyone was in an uproar. And over what? Not a whale after all! But some stupid girl!'

Under normal circumstances Gordon would have been amused by Alan's annoyance and continued to provoke him until he had a full blown tantrum. But the situation was too serious and he felt too ashamed of his behaviour to get any real pleasure out of Alan's anger.

'Was that you piloting Thunderbird 4, Alan?' he asked, hoping his change of subject wasn't too obvious.

Alan looked momentarily wary, but nodded sharply.

'I was on the beach. It was great work. It must've been hard to get close to Migaloo4 without frightening him, and you got him free so quickly.'

It had the desired effect. Alan responded to flattery like a kitten to milk.

'Oh, it wasn't that hard,' said Alan cheerfully. 'Although the whale wouldn't hold still,' he added grumpily. 'They're not as smart as people say they are.'

The piano started humming a proper tune again, a perky one that Gordon hadn't heard before.

'No it was great. Everyone on the beach was so impressed. I couldn't have done better myself.'

'Yeah, well,' said Alan smiling smugly. Then he turned serious. 'What's this girl's name anyway?'

Virgil stumbled at a passage of notes. Gordon turned to see Virgil looking a little taken aback, and Gordon worked hard to suppress a smirk. Virgil looked down at the piano keyboard, shaking his head slightly.

Gordon turned to Alan to say something, but the words died on his lips. Jeff had just entered the room. His father pointed to his private study, and strode off towards it.

Gordon straightened and followed his father.

As he reached the door Gordon heard Alan say 'What?' in an annoyed whisper. He could imagine the glare Virgil was giving their little brother. He was sure, once he was out of earshot, Alan would be given strict instructions not to mention Gordon's 'girlfriend problem' to him ever.

**********

One more chapter to go!