Her voice trailed off. Richard half-turned his head, raising his eyebrows at Cassie, and she returned his troubled look.
‘Nearly there, ladies,’ he called, clearly trying to keep his voice light.
The new subdued atmosphere at least gave her time to think a little more. She’d say nothing to the grief-stricken Isabella, who had good reason to be bitter, but she couldn’t help the hope in her heart. Knowing what she wanted, knowing who she wanted, had given her a new strength of purpose. The horror of Istanbul could never be obliterated, but she knew as surely as she knew anything that she’d find Ranjit again, that they’d somehow be together again, and that everything would come right, even despite the Few spirit still eager to be entirely inhabited inside her.
She couldn’t afford not to believe it.
Richard had been so supportive and understanding, in spite of his declaration of love last term; she wouldn’t lose him as a friend. Hadn’t he offered to fly her and Isabella to the coast in his private plane? She wasn’t regretting the offer quite yet, despite the queasy way her stomach lurched with the aircraft. As for the spirit Estelle inside her, well, she wasn’t quite so supportive …
I don’t know what you expect, my dear!
The petulant voice made Cassie smile. So far Estelle was being non-confrontational to an extraordinary degree, probably for diplomatic reasons. Estelle knew what was in her head; the spirit always did. For all her wickedness and black sense of humour, Estelle knew how much Cassie loved Ranjit, knew of her determination that they’d one day be together.
And for her and Ranjit to be together, Estelle had to go.
I refuse to discuss this at present.
Cassie grimaced. So long as you’re not just biding your time, old girl …
No response, and for now Cassie had to be happy with that. The whole thing wasn’t going to be easy – as Ranjit’s experiment with the Pendant had proved. Sighing quietly, she gazed out of the window again at the magnificent sprawl of the savannah below her.
‘All right, ladies,’ called Richard. ‘Nearly there. I can see the landing strip now. I’m just descending. Tighten your seatb— Whoa!’
The little plane lurched and bucked, swaying wildly. Cassie grabbed her armrest as she was flung sideways, almost into Isabella’s lap.
‘Richard?’ yelled Cassie.
He didn’t answer for long moments, wrestling with the controls. At last he gasped, ‘Turbulence! It’s OK, I can—’
But he didn’t finish; he was focused on the plane again. Cassie glanced at Isabella; the Argentinean girl was gripping her seat, jaw tight and skin pale. Cassie undid her seatbelt and managed to wriggle out, grabbing anything close for support, as she stumbled to the cockpit.
‘Go back!’ yelled Richard. ‘It’s fine.’
‘No! Can’t I help?’
‘Not unless you can fly a bloody plane! Sit down!’
But the plane at that moment took a crazy plunge, and Cassie had to hang on to the pilot seat for dear life while Richard struggled to bring its nose back up.
‘I wish you’d let me—’
‘Cassie, go back!’
Thrown against the cabin bulkhead, Cassie thought wryly that she wouldn’t be wearing her bikini for a while, not with all the bruises she was getting. Bracing herself against the control panel, she ducked to look out of the window, and instantly wished she hadn’t. The land was racing towards them at a most unlikely angle.
‘It’s absolutely fine,’ yelled Richard. ‘I’ll just— Ah, bugger!’
‘What?’
‘Control’s stuck. Don’t panic!’
Men! she thought grimly. ‘That one there?’
‘Obviously!’ He was wrestling with it.
Shutting her eyes and instantly reopening them, she focused. The world around her turned red as she projected her spirit beyond herself and into the cockpit, coiling it round the lever. Richard let go with a yelp of surprise.
‘Jeez!’ Sweat sheened his face, but his expression changed as he saw what was happening. ‘Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it!’ he shouted, grinning.
Cassie felt her jaw ache with the effort of concentration. And then, abruptly, the lever released and the plane gave a last buck-and-leap. But Richard had control back and the juddering Cessna was finally levelling. Easing towards the ground at a shallower angle, it no longer felt as if they were being shaken by a giant fist.
‘We’re there! You did it!’ yelled Richard.
The landing might not have been the smoothest she’d ever experienced, but the plane thumped down and rumbled to a halt. It seemed to sigh with relief itself as red dust settled round its wheels. Cassie flung her arms round Richard and hugged him, and he returned the embrace with enthusiasm.
‘Well done, Halton-Jones. That was a hell of a landing!’
‘Well done both of us! You can fly with me any time, gorgeous.’
She laughed. They knew each other too well now for any awkwardness.
Together they turned to look at Isabella. Her face was still white, but her hands didn’t tremble as she undid her seatbelt and pulled herself to her feet, ducking her head in the tiny cabin. Her lips were compressed in a firm line. Well, thought Cassie, she’s been holding herself together since Jake died. It might be becoming second nature – but that worried Cassie …
‘Yes, well done, guys,’ Isabella said quietly. ‘Though, Cassie, you’re a reckless girl to do what you did. I was afraid for you.’