LITMIR.BIZ

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city doing whatever it is she does.’

      ‘Suppose you’re right, b’y. Can’t let these Come From Aways get up my nose.’ He looks up at the blue sky, a solitary cloud hanging overhead. ‘You seen the news, Sam? Terrible, terrible thing. I was shitbaked when I saw the TV last night. I felt like I was watching some kind of disaster film.’

      Sam shakes his head. ‘Just awful. There were thousands at the airport. Mayor Elliott over in Gander told me he figures there’s almost ten thousand people who’ve just landed from all over the place.’

      ‘Jaysus God. That’s a lots of people.’

      ‘They’re bussing some out to Gambo and Lewisporte. Putting them up in schools and churches and legion halls. The bus drivers cancelled their strike to help out. I was down there with the Warriors helping out. We jumped on our bikes as soon as we heard the call out on the radio.’

      ‘Well, you gots to, don’t you?’ Wince squats down to check the pressure on the bike’s tyres. ‘I hears some of the locals are puttin’ the plane people up in their own houses. Government told them not to, but you know you can’t tell Newfoundlanders not to be hospitable. We all gots to stick together at a time like this.’ Wince nods towards the garage. ‘What’s she doin’ up all this way?’

      ‘She’s got relatives in Tippy’s Tickle. Ellie Parsons is her aunt.’

      ‘Ellie’s her aunt?’ Wince grunts as he rises. ‘What’s that make you, then? Her cousin?’

      ‘No relation. Ellie’s my mother-in-law.’

      ‘How’d you get roped into drivin’ her up all this way?’

      ‘Mavis Hennessy insisted, and you know you can’t say no to Mavis.’

      ‘Oh, God, yes. I knows Mavis. I plays cards at theirs when I’m in Gander visiting Uncle Garland at the home. There’s no sayin’ no to Mavis.’

      Sam nods towards the garage. ‘Your TV in the garage working? She doesn’t know what happened in New York. They didn’t want to tell them at the airport. There was only one payphone working and they had Joyce Fudge on the other line down at BT answering the calls, telling everyone they couldn’t redirect. They didn’t want people panicking. She had to get back home when her kids got home from school, so they put an “Out of Service” sign on the phone.’

      ‘Sure, b’y. It’s on every channel. Saddest thing. Still can’t believe it.’

      ***

      ‘Hello? Ellie speaking.’

      Sophie bites her lip at the sound of the woman’s voice, the English accent lightly tinged with the local lilt.

      ‘Aunt Ellie? It’s Sophie Parry. Dottie and George’s daughter.’

      The line goes silent for a moment. ‘Sophie?’

      Sophie coils the payphone’s rusty cord around her finger. ‘I’m … I’m sorry. I know this is unexpected. I was flying over to New York from London and my plane was diverted to Gander. In fact, a lot of planes were diverted there for some reason. I still don’t know why. Something was going on in New York and they shut down the airspace. That’s all I know.’

      ‘You’re in Gander? With the plane people?’

      ‘Well, no. I was. I’m at the Irving petrol station on the way to Tippy’s Tickle. I got a lift with someone called Sam Byrne on his motorcycle. I … I had your address from an old Christmas card, but I only just got your number from Sam. I couldn’t get to a phone earlier anyway. The payphones were out of order at the airport and our mobile phones weren’t working. They’re bussing everyone to schools and gyms. There are thousands of us.’

      Another silence. ‘My goodness, Sophie. You’re really here? In Newfoundland?’

      Sophie glances at the scrubby spruce trees behind the garage. ‘Yes, I’m really here.’

      ‘You haven’t heard what happened?’

      ‘Well, I heard something about an incident at the World Trade Center, but I don’t know anything else.’ Sophie swallows down the lump that is forming in her throat. She licks her dry lips. ‘I’m so sorry, Aunt Ellie. Perhaps I should’ve stayed with the others. You don’t know me from Adam. I’m sorry I bothered you.’

      ‘Good heavens! Don’t be silly, Sophie. Get back on that bike, and tell that Sam to drive carefully. We’ll talk as soon as you get here. Florie’s got a stew on, and there’s plenty of room here. You’re family, my dear. You can stay as long as you like.’

      ‘It’s only for a few days. I don’t want to impose.’

      ‘You’re not imposing. You’re welcome for as long as you want.’

      ‘Thanks so much, Aunt Ellie.’

      She hangs the receiver back on its hook, blowing her fringe out of her eyes as she fishes her address book out of her Longchamp bag. Taking a deep breath, she dials the New York number.

      ***

      Sophie presses the receiver to her ear. ‘Oh, my God. I had no idea. Is everyone okay?’

      ‘We’re fine here.’ The receptionist’s voice wavers. ‘But we had clients in the North Tower. We just, we just—’

      Sophie holds her hand to her mouth. ‘Oh, no. I’m so sorry … Excuse me, what’s your name?’

      ‘Jackie.’

      ‘I’m so sorry, Jackie. They didn’t tell us anything.’

      ‘It’s like a war zone down where the Towers were. There’s smoke and dust everywhere. The whole financial district is under a black cloud.’

      ‘Good Lord.’

      ‘Look, don’t worry about the meeting, Ms Parry. It’s the last thing we’re thinking about right now. We’ll sort something out whenever you get here. Just call me.’

      Sophie expels a puff of air as relief floods over her. ‘Oh, thank goodness. Thanks very much.’

      The receptionist sucks in a breath. ‘My brother-in-law’s a fireman. He had the day off. It was my nephew’s birthday. Frank was called in. We haven’t heard from him since yesterday. His boy’s only four.’

      Sophie leans her forehead against the payphone. The world’s fallen apart and all I’ve been worried about is getting to a bloody job interview. She runs her tongue over her lips. ‘I’m sure he’ll be all right, Jackie. Don’t worry. Just let Mr Niven know my plane was diverted to a place called Gander in Newfoundland. They’ll fly us out as soon as they can. They’re saying two or three days. I’ll call you as soon as I know more.’

      ‘I’ll let him know.’

      ‘I’m sure everything will work out for your family.’

      Jackie’s voice catches in a swallowed sob. ‘Thanks, Ms Parry. I hope so.’

      ***

      Sophie stares up at the television in Wince Moss’s garage. A silver plane, the sun glinting off its wings as it banks, spears into the tower. A cloud of grey smoke, growing like a cancer, obliterates the blue summer sky. Orange flames devour the metal structure. She raises her hand to her mouth in the only possible response.

      Silence.

       Chapter 10

       Norwich, England – 30 July 1940

      The bombs woke her. She didn’t know they were bombs at the time, of course. But what she remembers is that she

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