“I’m not morbid,” Willy said. He felt very tense and choked up at the thought of Uncle Ted.
His mother joined in: “We are sorry about your model Willy.”
“It’s not that,” Willy sniffed.
“What then? Is it a girl?” his mother asked.
Willy’s skin tingled. He knew it was from fear. He nodded but did not answer.
“Is it Marjorie?” his mother asked.
“No. Her name is Barbara.”
His parents exchanged glances and seemed to relax. His mother probed some more: “Well, tell us about her.”
“Not much to tell. She is in my class but... but.. but she’s going out with someone else; with one of the Year 12s,” Willy replied. He felt tears from and bit his lip. Then he told them the whole story of how he had asked her for a date, about Scranton, and about the incident at the dance the previous night.
His father looked thoughtful. “Yes, well. Not much we can do to help. She either likes you or she doesn’t. My feeling is that you would be better looking elsewhere.”
His mother agreed: “That’s right dear. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Remember, girls are like busses. There will be another one along in five minutes.”
“But I love her!” Willy blurted out.
His father nodded. “That’s as maybe. But if she doesn’t love you then it is all for nothing. You would be happier loving the ones that love you. You should seize opportunities with both hands. You never catch up on the ones you miss out you know!”
At that comment Willy had a vivid mental image of seizing Marjorie and he blushed, knew he was blushing; and went even redder. “No. It is Barbara I love,” he insisted.
“That is how you feel at the moment,” his father said. “Now, this is our plan. For the next couple of weeks we are going to keep you so busy you won’t have time to scratch yourself. And it won’t be all work. Some of it will be pleasure. We are going to build your real airship.”
Willy sat silent for a moment, his thoughts diverted from girls. He nodded. “Thanks dad. I’d like that.”
“Well I said I would if you could make a model that flew. And you did. And did it fly!” his father gave a wry grin. Willy couldn’t help it. Even though it hurt he grinned too. His father went on: “Now, we will give this project a time-frame and will work out a schedule. The Queen’s Birthday long weekend is only two weeks away. Let’s make that our target date.”
Willy felt a surge of excitement. “Thanks dad. That will be great. Where will we fly it? Up at the farm?”
“Yes. That would be the best place. It is outside controlled airspace and has plenty of open country.”
His mother agreed. “We will make a real weekend of it. And it would be a good idea if you got some of your friends to help. They could come to the farm like they did last time.”
So it was agreed.
For the rest of the afternoon Willy and his father went over the plans of the airship, checked their list of items required, and discussed procedures for launching and recovery and what might be best to do in case of some airborne emergency. In the evening they sat and read everything they had on airships.
On Monday morning when he went to school Willy did not know if he was sad or happy. He joined Stick and Noddy. Noddy spoke first: “Gees Willy, your airship was good. Didn’t she fly!”
“Yes,” Willy agreed with a scowl.
“Do you know where it ended up?” Stick asked.
“No. It might be up on Mt Whitfield, or it might have just gone on up till it burst.”
“It might have drifted over the Tablelands,” Stick suggested. “Then it could cause another rash of UFO sightings for Noddy.”
“Get knotted!” Noddy growled. “They are true.”
“Yes Noddy,” Stick replied. “Oh! Hi Sis. Hi Shona.”
Willy looked around and met Marjorie’s eyes. She smiled at him. “Hello Willy. Sorry about your model.” She sat down beside him.
Willy felt uncomfortable. What was she up to now? He almost blurted out ‘What about Stephen then?’ but managed to contain himself. He ignored her and the conversation drifted onto the behaviour of two of the teachers at the fete. They had been found kissing passionately in a back room.
A few minutes later Stephen came along with Roger. He gave Marjorie a wry smile but otherwise ignored her. “Hi gang. Hi Willy. Are you going to build another airship?”
“Yes I am. A real one this time. My dad is going to help,” Willy replied. He explained the plan.
Marjorie grabbed at his arm. “Ooh! The Queen’s Birthday long weekend! Can we come too?”
Willy squirmed. He wanted Stick to come but not Marjorie. He wasn’t sure if he wanted Stephen there although he could see that Stephen and Marjorie were ignoring each other. Had Stephen done something on Saturday night which she didn’t like? Knowing her he found it hard to imagine what. He groped for a suitable answer. Finally he said: “Yes, but you would be the only girl Marjorie.”
She giggled and gave his arm another squeeze. “I don’t mind. I was last time too. Anyway Shona might want to come?”
Willy looked up at Shona who blinked happily through her glasses. She nodded and smiled. Willy nodded back. “Yes, I suppose so,” he said. Blast Marjorie! ‘I thought I was rid of her,’ he thought.
Shona answered: “I’d love to come but I don’t know if mum and dad will let me.”
“I’d love to come too,” Stephen replied with a wink.
Marjorie giggled at Stephen’s obvious double meaning. Willy blushed and glared at him.
“So would I,” Roger added, obviously unaware of the by-play. “I’d love to go for a ride in an airship.”
Stephen snorted: “It would never get off the ground you are so fat.”
Roger went red. “I’m not fat!” he retorted, obviously hurt.
Willy studied him. No, he wasn’t. He was just a bit chubby. He decided he didn’t really like Stephen. To ease the situation he said: “You can ask your parents. We need to know so we can arrange where everyone is to sleep and so there is enough food and so on.”
For the next few minutes they discussed the plan. It was obvious to Willy that they liked the idea.
Consideration of the details kept Willy’s mind occupied for the next few hours. He only remembered Barbara when he saw her in class. After studying her for a couple of minutes he thought she looked very pale and unhappy, but he could not pluck up the courage to speak to her. ‘Best to let her recover from her hurt,’ he told himself. ‘Then I will ask her for a date.’
In class Willy sat and stared at Barbara, amazed at how she affected him every time he looked at her. For once she settled to her schoolwork, probably because the seat next to her was empty. Karen wasn’t at school that day.
After school Willy stayed to talk to his friends before going home. Marjorie and Shona lingered annoyingly as well. It was obvious by then that Marjorie and Stephen weren’t on speaking terms. That gave Willy very mixed emotions, unsure whether he was glad or anxious.
Willy’s father had good news that night. “I phoned the suppliers today,” he said. “Some of the stuff has arrived and more should get here tomorrow. We will pick it up tomorrow afternoon and start work.”
Willy’s spirits shot up. That night he slept soundly for the first time in weeks.
At school next day the proposed airship ‘expedition’ was the main topic of conversation amongst the group of friends.
“Will you be allowed to come?” Willy asked Stick.
“Yeah, too right,” Stick replied.
“I am allowed to come too,” Marjorie piped up.
‘Blast!’ Willy thought. He said: “What about you Shona?”
“I can come if Marjorie goes but I’m not allowed to fly in the airship,” Shona replied.
“Noddy?”
“Yep. I can go.”
“Steve, what about you?” Willy asked. If Stephen was there it might help keep Marjorie away from him. Stephen sat to one s
ide with Graham, Peter and Roger. He adjusted his glasses and glanced sideways at Marjorie. “Yes, I’d like to come, but I haven’t asked my parents.”
“Anyone else interested? Roger?” Willy asked.
Roger shook his head. “I’d like to but I’ve already promised to go hiking with Graham and Peter on that weekend.”
Willy turned to Graham and Peter. “Where are you army types planning to go this time?” he asked. Graham, Peter, Roger and Stephen formed a ‘hiking team’ and were quite renowned for their expeditions- and the adventures they sometimes resulted in.
Graham answered: “We’d like to join you Willy but we’ve already organized a hiking expedition. We are going to climb Kahlphalim Rock.”
“Where on earth is that?” Stick asked.
“Up there,” Graham said, pointing to the west. “That lumpy bit up on top of the Lamb Range, on the second mountain range back. The bigger bit is Lambs Head. Kahlpahlim Rock is to the right of it.”
Willy turned and looked. Behind the first line of jungle-covered mountains lay a second, even higher. He realized he had been looking at the huge rock outcrop all his life but had never consciously noticed it or known its name.
Stick looked puzzled. “I thought you climbed it a few weeks ago.”
Graham and Peter both laughed. Graham hung his head. “We tried. We’ve had three goes. Once we went up Freshwater Creek from Crystal Cascades. That was when we met the giant python.”
The two friends laughed at the memory. Graham went on: “Next we tried going in from the Copperlode Falls Dam along the power line track but we found too many old timber tracks and got bushed, and had a bit of trouble with some druggies.”
“In other words we had trouble with our navigation and ran out of time,” Peter added.
Graham blushed. “That too. So last time we tried from behind Hambeldon, going straight up the Isley Range. Strewth! Is that Tiger Country! Steep! And talk about ‘Wait-a-while’!”
Peter pulled a face and said: “Anyway, enough is enough. We are going to try and go in from the west this time by going up the Davies Creek Forestry Road. That runs past the bottom of the mountain it is on.”
“Davies Creek!” Marjorie said in surprise.
Willy smacked his thigh. “Of course! You can see that rock, whatever its name is.”
“Kahlphalim Rock,” Graham said.
“Yes, that one, really clearly from Uncle Ted’s.. I.. I mean Aunty Isabel’s farm,” Willy replied. He felt a stab of pain at the memory. Poor Aunty Isabel! A grisly memory of Uncle Ted’s mutilated body swirled into his mind and he had to make a conscious effort to push it out.
Stick was puzzled. “If there is a road to the bottom of this rock why didn’t you go that way the first time?”
Noddy sorted and said: “’Cause they’re army and they’re dumb!”
“Watch it ‘Airhead’!” Peter growled.
Graham answered: “It seemed like cheating. Too easy. No challenge. Anyway, transport was a problem.”
“So how are you getting there this time?” Willy asked.
“My mum will drop us off at the Davies Creek turnoff on Saturday morning and we will walk in from there,” Graham replied.
“We will wave from the farm,” Stephen said.
Graham nodded. “OK. We will camp right on top on Sunday night and will signal with our torches and light a fire,” he promised.
“We will look out for you,” Willy answered. “Now, who is coming over to my place to help on Saturday morning?”
There was a chorus of ‘me’s’ which were drowned by the bell going for classes. The friends trooped off to class. During the next lesson Willy noted that Barbara was absent; but Karen was back. That caused him sharply disappointment. He wanted to start his campaign of being ‘friendly but not pushy’ to soften her up before he asked her for a date.
That afternoon after school he and Stick pedalled to his parent’s surgery and went with Willy’s father to collect cartons of large balloons, rolls of nylon netting, nylon rope, an oxy- welding kit, gas bottles, plastic hose and metal tubing, plus a whole assortment of clips, hinges, fasteners and odd fittings.
Willy was uncomfortably aware that it was all costing his parents a great deal of money. He knew they were doing it to help him get over Uncle Ted’s murder and the thought made him feel guilty and unworthy, but also, deep down inside, content. It showed they loved and cared for him and that helped enormously.
That evening Willy and his father checked all the items and consulted their list to see what else was needed. Schoolwork then engulfed Willy. He had several assignments due and this drove him to the library at lunch times. Barbara was back at school but did not seem to notice him and he made no advances. Marjorie kept hanging around and even came and sat near him in the library. Stephen spent more time with Graham and Peter.
On Thursday at lunchtime Willy sat in the library. He had just opened a reference book when his mind wandered. ‘How can I ask Barbara for a date?’ he thought. ‘What will I say? And where will I offer to take her?’
Without a word Marjorie sat next to him. She smiled. Willy wanted to scowl but kept his face a mask. To his relief she said nothing but opened a book and began reading. ‘Blast!’ he thought. ‘What if Barbara comes in?’ Usually there were other boys at the table with him but this was so obviously just him and her.
A few minutes later he felt her knee touch his. It was like a little electric shock, a compound of concern and delight. He moved his knee away. She moved hers to touch his again. He moved again. She giggled and moved her chair closer so that their thighs touched. Willy was now up against the leg of the table and would have to get up and move to another table to escape.
“Stop it Marjorie!” Willy hissed.
“Go on. You like it. I know you do,” she replied.
Willy looked at her. In return she gave him a mischievous grin. He did not know what to say because he did like it. Worse, it was making him horny. He tried to will himself to go down but thinking about it only made it worse.
“What about Stephen?” he growled.
“What about him?”
“You and him.” Willy rejoined. “Saturday night?”
“Nothing. Stephen is a disgusting pig. He only wants one thing,” Marjorie sniffed.
“How do you know I don’t want the same thing?”
Marjorie gave a wicked grin and leaned forward. “I’m sure you do too; but I like you,” she murmured.
At that moment Willy saw Barbara enter the library. His heart leapt with love and anxiety. She wasn’t looking their way- yet!
“Stop it Marjorie!” he hissed. “Not here.”
“Where then?”
Willy could have kicked himself. “That’s not what I meant. I might not want it at all.”
“You do, I can tell,” Marjorie giggled, pressing against him and putting her hand on his bare leg. “All the boys do.”
Willy flushed with embarrassment and rising lust. He moved her hand away- and she put it straight back. “Stop it Marjorie!” he said. Movement among the bookshelves attracted his attention and he glanced anxiously in that direction. To his embarrassment he saw two girls looking at them. One was the navy cadet, Tina, and Willy was sure they could see what was going on. He flamed with embarrassment. “Marjorie, people are watching. Stop it! Please!” he pleaded.
To his enormous relief Marjorie took her hand away and sat back. Willy tried to relax. Silently he cursed. ‘Blast! I thought she had lost interest. Oh what should I do?’ He knew he wanted to have sex with her and the evil thought crossed his mind that he should just have his way if that was what she wanted, and not worry about using her. But that niggled his conscience. Instead he resolved to be strong and to do the right thing. ‘Control yourself, you weakling!’ he told himself. ‘Think only of Barbara.’
Barbara! There she was- but she still wasn’t looking his way- thank God! To Willy’s relief she left the library and he relaxed.
On Frid
ay evening Willy’s mother dropped him at the Air Cadet Depot at the airport, then drove off to a meeting of the Orchid Society. Willy put on his cap and marched across the bitumen to where other cadets were waiting in groups.
“Hello Willy.”
Willy turned in astonishment. “Marjorie! What are you doing here?” He saw she wore civilian clothes.
“I’m joining the Air Cadets. I’m in the ‘Phantom’ flight,” she explained.
“Are you old enough?”
“For what?” she said suggestively.
Willy blushed and hoped none of the others could overhear them. “To join the cadets.”
“I’m thirteen. I turn fourteen this year,” she replied.
“Old enough for the cadets,” he said. “But not for what you have in mind.”
Marjorie’s face dimpled and she gurgled with mirth. “I won’t tell,” she said.
Willy began to get a hunted feeling. He also began to get aroused as his mind raced into speculation. ‘Damn and blast! Why does she have that effect on me?’ he cursed. He tried to break away but Marjorie kept talking to him and followed him around. That really annoyed him but perversely made him feel good.
On parade Willy’s Flight was lined up in front of the ‘Phantom’ Flight- people on the waiting list who could not be enrolled so therefore did officially exist. While he stood there Willy was sure that Marjorie’s eyes were on him and that gave him an annoying prickling sensation all up his back and he had trouble stopping himself from fidgeting.
It was a relief to march off to lessons. The first was on basic Radio Voice Procedure. After that came a lesson on how to aim and fire the rifle, then canteen break. Marjorie appeared and stood beside him. He ignored her and talked to his friends, deliberately trying to exclude her from the conversation. ‘The little pain! Why doesn’t she leave me alone!’ he thought.
Forty minutes of good, solid drill; marching up and down the bitumen square under the floodlights, helped soothe his feelings. After dismissal Marjorie came and stood beside him and Stick until Willy’s mother arrived to pick him up.
That night Willy had the most erotic dream he could ever remember, with Marjorie as the star attraction. He woke up feeling aroused and frustrated. As a consequence he felt guilty and edgy all morning. He carried out his Saturday chores with his mind on a dozen things, but dominated by thoughts of Marjorie.
Airship Over Atherton Page 19