‘She’s a tough little cookie alright,’ said Will, with a fond smile. ‘I would have loved to take her back with me, but she is so happy with the Fauve family and they desperately want to adopt her.’

Mitch nodded. ‘So I hear. But she is still your flesh and blood, Will. I know it would be an upheaval for her, but in the long run she might prefer to be with you. You looked pretty comfortable with her yesterday.’

What have I agreed to? Will thought. The kid was his sister’s child, for heaven’s sake. He should have taken her, for Eva’s sake.

‘Hey, I’m sorry. I apologise. It’s none of my business. Captain Fauve is a terrific chap and you have obviously talked it through with them. I have no right to mouth off. I don’t even know your circumstances back home.’

Dead right, thought Will. Mitch had reminded him of exactly what his circumstances were. He sensed Matt tense beside him. ‘It’s alright. We have all agreed that there should be a trial period for Sophie and the Fauves, to see how she settles in. But I assure you, there is much more going for her here in Canada than an injured ex-copper can offer her in a backwater in the fens.’

No one spoke for the rest of the journey. Then they were there, and Mitch was offering him a hand. ‘Best of luck, Will. Gonna have to hand you over to the flight crew now. Sorry there’s no steward on this baby.’

They looked up at the big grey transport plane with its four powerful Allison engines. ‘What sort of crew does it take to fly this?’ asked Matt, clearly in awe of this behemoth.

‘Two pilots, a navigator, a flight engineer and the loadmaster. It’s a real workhorse the CC-130. It’s used in search and rescue, and can airlift troops, cargo or equipment. It can even be reconfigured to carry fuel. It can carry ninety-two passengers, but you two are the only ones until you reach Goose Bay, Newfoundland. Then you’ll have a bit of company as they are collecting a couple of medics and some medical supplies from 5 Wing. Well, it’s been great meeting you both, just sorry for your loss.’ Beneath the plane, a tall skinny man was hurriedly beckoning to them. ‘Good luck.’ Mitch saluted them, and then waved as they climbed aboard the Hercules for their less than first-class flight home.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN