day sixty-one and a race

After what seemed like ages and ages and ages, the airship finally reached the edge of the swamp and the terrible shaking ceased.

“Damage report, please, Temples,” said Capt. Cookie.

“Y-y-es, c-c-ca-captain,” said the co-pilot, whose beak hadn’t quite recovered.

He checked the instruments in the cockpit, which had now all stopped malfunctioning.

“Fuel’s in the r-r-red, captain,” said the co-pilot.

“Let’s hope it’s enough to get us to the hotel!” said the captain. “Look, there it is!”

The Kola Nut Hotel was now visible in the distance, with the glittering blue sea beyond.

“Ladybirds and gentlebirdmen,” the captain announced. “We will soon be arriving at our destination. We hope you have had a pleasant flight with us today... I mean these last few days, and we look forward to having the pleasure of.......... Oh, cockle cobblers! I don’t believe it!”

The co-pilot was pointing up into the sky above them, where another airship was heading straight for the hotel.

“It’s a Moose Brothers’ Skycruiser,” said Capt. Cookie. “If it gets to the hotel first there’ll be no room left for us!”

“And the next hotel is a hundred kilometres away!” added the co-pilot, whose beak was now all right.

“Our passengers aren’t going to be very happy!” said the steward, who had come to the cockpit to see what was going on.

“Hold on!” said the captain, pushing the throttle forward. “Kola Nut or bust!”

The engine gasped and wheezed at the sudden urgency. The airship jerked forward and accelerated, pushing the passengers back into their seats. Cups toppled into laps. The puzzle pieces scattered down the aisle and under seats. The race was on! The prize: comfy hammocks, fish sausages with tamarind gravy for breakfast, good times in the pool and the cocktail bar!

They were now neck-and-neck with the Skycruiser, although it was up at an altitude of about thirty metres, whereas Capt. Cookie was still flying very low, just a few metres above the surface.

Just then, there was a loud grumble from the engine....... and then silence.

“Out of fuel, Captain,” said the co-pilot.

© David Severn 2012