12
WE HAD MADE a miraculous escape. The house on the hill beckoned us like a safe haven, a surreal paradise with its warm glowing lights.
Nicha and Naru stood under the veranda watching us flying in.
When the craft landed, they came running down the path. It was still wet from the rain, and glistened in the lights from the house.
“What happened?” Nicha asked. “You are so late.” His eyes widened when he looked at my sodden clothes. “You’re in quite a state. You look like you went for a swim.”
“I did go for a swim.”
“Looks like you’ve sustained some damage.” Naru ran her hand along the outer hull of the craft.
It had acquired quite a lot of scrapes but, overall, it was testimony to the structural strength of these small aircraft that our tumbles hadn’t done more damage.
“It’s a very
