Page 70 of Captive Hearts
‘But what then, Pete?’ Ashley asked. ‘You’re just gonna let us fly home, is that right?’
‘Yeah, of course.’
‘I don’t know about that, Pete. I really don’t,’ Ashley said.
Pete didn’t bother replying. He had other things on his mind. ‘Hey, pilot, where’s my money?’
‘I got it back here,’ the pilot said.
‘Show me then!’ Pete demanded.
The pilot tutted. ‘Fine, hang on, it’s under the front passenger seat in this little zip-up bag thing they gave me.’ She started shuffling about in the front.
‘Did you look in it?’ Pete asked.
‘No, should I have?’ the pilot asked, still searching.
‘Just checking you didn’t help yourself.’
The pilot laughed. ‘Fuck withyourcash? Not worth it, buddy. Anyway, the police are paying through the nose for this, the mugs.’
‘Look, Pete, you seem like you’ve got things sorted here,’ Ashley began. ‘I really think it would be comfier if we got out of your way.’
‘Yeah. We’re just gonna slide out,’ Gina said, trying to sound uber casual.
The gun came up. ‘Don’t even think about it.’ Once he was sure they weren’t going to open the door, his attention was back on his money. ‘Let’s see this bag then,’ he said angrily in the direction of the front. ‘I haven’t got all day.’
The pilot was messing about under the seat. ‘I’m sure it’s here somewhere,’ she said, pulling out bits of crap as she rummaged for the bag. Gina was glad of the bumbling. Waiting to see his money was all that was keeping Pete on terra firma right now. This was the very last chance for Gina and Ashley to get themselves off this plane. God knows, the man couldn’t keep a promise, and Gina and Ashley had pissed Pete off one way or another all day. She didn’t trust him to let them go in Egypt any more than Ashley did.
‘Pete, just let us go, the door will be open for only a second, and then we’ll close it behind us, and you can go. You owe me this. After all I’ve done for you…’ Ashley said, starting to get a bit angry.
‘After allyou’vedone forme?’ Pete replied in a dangerously quiet tone.
‘Nearly got it,’ the pilot muttered to herself and then pulled out a packet of chocolate digestives. ‘I was wondering where they’d gotten to.’ She kept looking.
‘Yes. I’ve helped you all day,’ Ashley went on, ignoring the pilot. ‘You couldn’t speak to that policewoman, so I did it for you.’
‘I’ve got my hand on it now,’ the pilot said, trying to drag it out. ‘Wait, fuck, no. It’s caught on something.’
‘I can speak toanyone. I’m not scared of her. I just didn’t want to,’ Pete snapped.
‘Yeah, right!’ Ashley said, temper rising.
‘Ashley,’ Gina warned.
Ashley didn’t hear it. ‘Fucking obvious why you hate her.’
‘Ohyeah?!’ Pete shuffled himself round to face up to Ashley, his hand tightening on his gun.
‘Ashley,please,’ Gina pleaded. She felt like she was a second from watching something terrible happen to Ashley right in front of her. She had to stop her somehow. Only she didn’t know how. Ashley had the bit in between her teeth now. Even the gun didn’t seem to scare her anymore.
‘Just like when Mummy used to tell you off, isn’t it?’ Ashley said.
‘Ooh, here we go!’ said the pilot, pulling a bag out and unzipping it, not reading the room at all.
‘You fuckingwhat?’ Pete said, and Gina watched as - almost in slow motion - the gun began to turn on Ashley.
‘Pete! Your money!’ Gina cried wildly.
