- 14 -
Ben was enjoying Donna’s company so much that he was suddenly surprised to find the three-hour flight was nearing its end. A disembodied message over the PA system from the pilot informed them that they were starting their descent. Then he noticed a change in the engine note and the angle of the aircraft tilted forward. He glanced out of the window and saw they were coming in over the sea to start their approach to Naples airport.
The hostess’s voice came over the intercom. “Will you fasten your seat-belts please, ladies and gentlemen? There may be some turbulence on our approach to Naples associated with an increase in activity of the volcano Solfatara. There is nothing for you to worry about. We will be landing at Naples in just under five minutes where the ground temperature is twenty-three degrees. We hope you enjoy your visit.” The voice was cut off with a hollow click.
There was a sudden increase in vibration as the aircraft throttled back. The previously smooth flight was replaced by a pitching and yawing motion as they descended into the disturbed air above the land. The aircraft banked as the pilot lined up for the approach. Ben noticed that the grey, worried look had come back into Donna’s face.
“Don’t worry,” he tried to reassure her. “It will be over in a few minutes. There’s nothing at all for you to worry about.”
She gave him a bleak smile. “Everyone tells me that each time. Next thing you’re gonna tell me to relax. Everybody does, but it never seems to help.”
“Do you want my hand again? Try and see if you can draw blood this time.”
He was rewarded by a real smile as she took it.
“I’ve been hoping you were going to ask before,” said Ben. “I was willing to donate it for the whole flight if it would help.”
Donna raised her eyes to the roof. “Now he tells me!” Then she suddenly shut her mouth as the aircraft dropped like a stone into an air pocket and the engine note rose sharply.
She said nothing more for the next few minutes as the aircraft weaved its irregular way down the approach path and over the threshold of the runway, but all the time she gripped his hand tightly. Then came the final sharp descent, the bump of the wheels onto terra firma, the wild roar of the engines and the violent braking as the pilot applied reverse thrust. Ben hardly noticed the aircraft’s motion. He was too busy enjoying the sensation of having his hand squeezed tight against Donna’s soft, full bosom.
It was only when they had rolled to a halt outside the terminal and the engine note had died away, that she finally opened her eyes and exhaled a deep breath. But she still kept a tight hold of his hand and Ben made no attempt to remove it. He felt a quickening of his pulse as she gazed at him. Her eyes were bright blue once more. However there now seemed to be a shortage of words in comparison to the way in which they had flowed so freely from her before. This fear of flying seemed to strip away the mask of maturity and turn her back into a vulnerable girl. Ben found himself feeling a lot more affectionate towards her than he had any right to.
As he helped her from her seat, he was almost sure she purposely leaned against him as she slid past and preceded him down the gangway. Ben felt the bachelor in him stirring. At the exit door she paused and waited for him. He placed an arm firmly about her waist and helped her down the steps. As they walked across the concrete to the arrivals door he carried her bag and she linked her arm through his. They seemed almost like a couple going on holiday together.
He said, “Well, you may not have enjoyed your flight very much, but it’s been a lot of fun for me.”
“You don’t realise it it’s the best flight I’ve had in a long time.” When she looked up at him, her face had a kind of half-smile but her eyes were serious. That look set him wondering just a little. Then she winked, the veneer of fun back on again. “I’ll have to see if the alimony will run to hiring an escort in future.”
Ben tried to match her bantering tone. “If you’re going back to London in a few days time I’d be willing to do the return trip for free.”
“Hey, I hope you’re not going to wait until we return to hold my hand again. I think you ought to at least give me the chance to buy you dinner one evening to say thank you.”
“How could I refuse an offer like that?” Ben stood back and held the door open for her.
“That’s OK then. I’ll give you the name and number of my hotel while we’re waiting for the bags.”
As they stood by the conveyor she gave him her card with her New York address on it (in case he ever went that way) and wrote down the name of her hotel and the phone number. They were standing very close together. He could sometimes feel her hair tickling his cheek and smell the slight scent still clinging to her. But he was sure that neither of them believed they would actually meet again.
He tried to take a firm grip on his thoughts. He was here for the purpose of conducting important business – the most important business of his life. He really must concentrate on the matter in hand. He didn’t have time for a casual flirtation, did he? But where was the harm in having some pleasure at the same time as he was working?
Just then Donna called out, “Hey, there’s my bag,” and the moment had passed.
She rushed off across the arrivals hall to get it. Then Ben saw his own suitcase come out on the other side and he went to collect it. But the crowds were thick around the conveyor and it took him several minutes to extricate himself and his bag from the melee. When he finally turned round to look for Donna, she was nowhere to be seen. Why had she suddenly disappeared?
He went to where he had last seen her. However her case had disappeared and so had she. He spent a couple of minutes looking round the arrivals hall but he couldn’t find her. So, with a little shrug, he gave up. It was probably more sensible that way. Perhaps he would have an opportunity to ring her after he had been to the Villa Cimbrone. Philosophically he tucked her card in his top pocket and made for the exit.
As he reached the door a small Italian came over to him. “Signor Cartwright?”
Ben nodded, surprised. He hadn’t realised that anyone but Peggy was aware that he would be here.
The swarthy little man beckoned. “Come. I have car.”
“How on earth did you know who I was?”
The fellow didn’t seem to understand. He grabbed Ben’s arm. “Car this way.”
“Are you – from Cimbroni?” He felt slightly ridiculous talking this pigeon English.
“Si. Si.” The Italian nodded furiously. He grabbed the case from Ben’s unprotesting grip and set off across the road towards the car park. Ben had to hurry to keep up with him. He could already feel the heat raising prickles under his shirt.
The man made for the far corner of the large car park in front of the airport building. He had a small Fiat parked there. He opened the front passenger door and stood Ben’s case on end on the seat. Then he opened the back door for his passenger before he scurried round and jumped into the driving seat. Ben scarcely had time to get in and close the door before the car was off with a violent jerk and a haze of blue exhaust smoke.
They weaved through the car park and on to the exit road which led past the terminal building. As they passed the main doors he saw Donna come out. A tall, good-looking man with grey hair held her case in one hand and her left elbow in the other. Ben was convinced she saw him as the Fiat rushed past, but she showed no sign of having recognised him.
“Oh well,” he thought to himself as he peered at her out of the rear window, “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that it didn’t take her long to find a new escort.”
A few seconds later the little car swung into a roundabout and she was hidden from view.
So why did he have the feeling that she had been keeping clear of him and yet watching him leave at the same time?
The Mafia Emblem Page 14