Free DropZone by Andy McNab Page A

do not to yell and scream and jump around like a loon. He felt amazing, on top of the world, completely and utterly alive.
    Johnny walked over, still filming. ‘As I said, life’s too short not to,’ he said, a huge smile on his face.
    Remembering that moment high above the earth, the sensation of falling from the plane, Ethan could think of only one thing to say.
    He swung round to face Sam. ‘When can I do it again?’
    Sam and Johnny looked at each other and grinned.

10
    Ethan was sitting on the sofa with his mum and Jo, watching the DVD of his jump. It was a couple of hours since he’d done the tandem with Sam, but he was still buzzing. And Jo hadn’t stopped laughing.
    ‘Check out your face!’ she said. ‘You look hysterical!’ On the screen Ethan’s face was being buffeted by the wind, his cheeks rippling.
    ‘I was doing a hundred and twenty miles an hour,’ he told her. ‘It’s pretty difficult to keep a straight face!’
    ‘I can’t believe that’s you,’ said his mum. She was sitting on the edge of the sofa, her hands clasped together. ‘Weren’t you scared?’
    ‘Not really,’ said Ethan, and he wasn’t lying. ‘You don’t have time to be scared. Sam just gets on with it, takes you through the training, and before you know it you’re at the door of the plane! Then you’re out. It’s such a rush!’
    ‘No way am I ever doing that,’ said Jo, watching as Sam pulled the ripcord and the main canopy exploded behind them. ‘It’s insane.’
    ‘It’s amazing,’ said Ethan. ‘Best thing I’ve ever done.’
    The screen flicked to Ethan and Sam coming in to land.
    ‘Sam looks very forbidding,’ said his mum. ‘Does he ever smile?’
    Ethan laughed. ‘He’s terrifying, but great.’
    As though in response to Ethan’s mother’s question, Sam looked at the camera and smiled. Ethan didn’t think he’d ever forget that moment. To have people like Sam and Johnny proud of what he’d done . . . It felt great!
    The DVD finished and Ethan asked, ‘Want to watch it again?’
    His mum and Jo nodded and he pressed PLAY.
    The screen showed Ethan in the plane, strapped to Sam. But as they watched the footage again, the flat shook to the sound of the front door slamming shut. Dad was home.
    Ethan saw his mum’s eyes close, her head fall forward a little. He moved to stop the DVD before his dad came into the lounge, but he was too late.
    ‘What’s this then? Playing happy families, are we?’
    Ethan turned. His dad was leaning against the doorframe, finishing off a can of lager. For a moment no one said a word. The only sound came from Ethan’s tandem skydive on the TV.
    ‘That your new boyfriend?’ His dad was pointing at the TV with the can in his hand. ‘Bit old for you, isn’t he?’
    Ethan said nothing. He wasn’t going to let his dad ruin this. No way. So he went over to the TV, ejected the DVD and put it back in its case.
    ‘I hope I haven’t spoiled anything,’ said his dad. ‘Put it on, son. I want to see it.’
    ‘It’s finished,’ said Ethan.
    As he made to leave the room, his mum reached up and touched his hand. ‘I’m really proud of you.’
    Ethan smiled. ‘Thanks, Mum,’ he said, and headed for the door.
    But his dad was blocking the doorway. ‘Where are you going, son? Come on, let me watch it. Make me proud,’ he said sarcastically.
    ‘Get out of my way,’ said Ethan, and heard his mum and Jo coming up behind him.
    ‘Ethan,’ said his mum. ‘Don’t . . .’
    He stared at his dad. For a moment no one moved, then his dad stepped to one side, a fake smile slapped across his fat face. ‘After you,’ he said.
    Ethan edged his way past, but as he did so, his dad snatched the DVD from his hand.
    He snapped round. ‘Give that back.’
    His dad looked at the DVD, then waved it in front of Ethan’s face. ‘I just want to watch it, son, that’s all.’
    ‘Don’t call me that. Don’t call me son,’ said Ethan. He lunged for the DVD, and