A Letter from Pearl Harbor by Anna Stuart

Author:Anna Stuart [Stuart, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

An hour later and Robyn looked down at Oahu from five hundred feet in the air. It was stunning and Malie’s aircraft was so light.

‘It’s like being an actual bird,’ she gasped.

Ashleigh gave a snort from behind but, at her side, Malie nodded.

‘Isn’t it? Fancy a go at the controls?’

‘Me?’

‘Why not.’ Malie indicated the stick between Robyn’s legs, identical to the one she was currently using to fly the plane. ‘Take hold and keep it steady. Switching over to you – now!’

Robyn felt the stick judder as the control of the aeroplane fed into it and held it carefully level. Her pulse picked up dramatically but when the little plane didn’t suddenly plummet, or turn, or do anything scary, she dared to pull back on it a little. The nose went up and she was climbing. She hastily returned it to level, but the very fact of making the craft move to her command sent a thrill right through her.

‘It’s amazing.’

Malie laughed.

‘I’ll let you into a secret – it’s not actually that difficult. Far easier than a car.’

‘But more drastic if it breaks,’ Ashleigh grunted.

‘Not if you know what to do. There are far fewer aviation accidents than road ones. Cars are lethal.’

‘Even when stationary,’ Ashleigh growled.

Robyn was grateful to be concentrating too closely on flying the plane to rise to her sister’s griping. Malie talked her through a few simple manoeuvres and before she knew it, she was turning down towards the beautiful island of Kauai. It was, indeed, lush and green on this ‘Garden Isle’ and a trace of a rainbow curving over the centre told of rain not long gone. Silver-grey clouds were gathered over the top of Mount Waialeale, the long-dormant volcano at the centre, and for a moment Robyn imagined her grandmother sitting atop them. In her mind’s eye Ginny was reclining in the rainbow light, elegant legs crossed at the ankles and a Mai Tai in her hand, and she half raised her own to toast her.

‘OK, Robyn?’

Malie’s voice brought her straight back to the here and now. Goodness, when did she get so fantastical?

‘Absolutely fine. Amazing. Love it,’ she gabbled.

Malie shook her head, amused, then took back the controls and landed the little craft with only the lightest of bumps. Robyn glanced back to Ashleigh.

‘Good, hey?’ she prompted.

Ashleigh grunted.

‘Not bad. You were a bit shaky though. I’d be better. Can I have a go on the return flight, Malie?’

Robyn grinned. That was the active, competitive Ashleigh she loved, and it was great to see her back. They unloaded the chair and made it easily out of Lihue Airport. Malie haggled ruthlessly at the car rental desk, and soon they were heading down a stunning road along the lower slopes of the volcano.

‘Here we are,’ Malie said shortly, ‘Hofgaard Park.’

‘What’s here?’ Robyn asked, as they drove in through unassuming gates.

‘Cook’s statue. It’s a replica of one erected in England.’

‘Lovely,’ Ashleigh muttered.

It wasn’t busy, but there was still a handful of tourists gathered around the statue which showed the explorer standing on a plinth, his legs confidently splayed.

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