Free The Lost Years by E.V. Thompson

realised the gamekeeper was uncertain - whether or not the pilot of the aeroplane was friend or enemy.
    The pilot removed his flying helmet and ran fingers through his overlong blond hair before speaking to Perys. ‘You there, will you keep a watch on my aeroplane for an hour or so and make certain no one touches anything? I am paying a call on Heligan.’
    Perys was dressed in clothes that were appropriate for gathering in the harvest. He realised Rupert had mistaken him for a farmworker.
    Turning to the wary gamekeeper, he said, ‘It’s all right, Frank. It’s Rupert Pilkington, a relative.’ Then, returning his attention to the flier, he said, ‘I think Frank will be a much better guard than I. What’s more, he’s armed.’ Smiling at Rupert, he added, ‘I’m Perys Tremayne. Would you like me to show you the way to the house?’
    ‘I’m terribly sorry, I thought you were one of the farmworkers.’ Extending a hand, he said, ‘Please forgive me, I am Rupert.’
    Taking his hand and shaking it warmly, Perys said, ‘It was an understandable mistake. I was helping to gather in the harvest at Tregassick Farm. So many men have gone off to war there’s a shortage of labour in the farms about Heligan at the moment . . . but before we go up to the house, would you mind if I had a look over your aeroplane?’
    ‘Of course not. Aunt Maude has told me you’re keen to join the Royal Flying Corps. Have you had anything to do with aeroplanes?’
    Reaching out to touch the taut canvas of one of the plane’s wings, Perys shook his head. ‘Nothing at all, although I have discussed them at some length with a friend at school. He’s French and his brother is a French army pilot.’
    Rupert nodded approval. ‘The French have some fine aeroplanes - and damned good pilots to fly them. Come across to the cockpit and I’ll show you the controls and explain what they do.’
    Perys learned that the aircraft was a BE2c; ‘BE’ being the initials of Bleriot Experimental. He was deeply interested and asked a great many questions. His inspection came to an end with the arrival of Morwenna and Arabella to greet their cousin.
    Arabella looked at the fragile aeroplane in disbelief. ‘Rupert, you actually put your trust in this flimsy thing to take you up into the sky?’
    Rupert smiled. ‘Of course. What’s more, I have actually taken it to France and fought against a German pilot while I was flying it. Mind you, we were both using revolvers and neither of us was a terribly good shot.’
    Arabella shuddered. ‘I would rather not think about such things, especially if Perys is going to be a pilot.’
    Such a positive declaration of concern for Perys startled Rupert. He looked enquiringly at Perys, who was embarrassed by Arabella’s remark.
    ‘If Perys becomes a pilot I have no doubt he will be a good one,’ Rupert said. ‘And for much of his time a good pilot has more control of his own destiny than the most efficient infantry officer.’
    ‘In that case I’ll try to be a very good pilot.’ Perys said, meaningfully.
    ‘That’s the spirit!’ Rupert said, jovially. His glance rested upon Morwenna who had not yet joined in the conversation. Speaking to her now, he said, ‘You have grown up considerably since we last met, Morwenna.’
    Perys was surprised to see her blush as she replied, ‘That is hardly surprising, Rupert. I was only fourteen then.’
    ‘Is it really so long ago? It is terribly remiss of me not to have called on you and your mother before this. Never mind, I am here now.’
    ‘You have been far too busy doing exciting things to think of relatives,’ Morwenna replied.
    There was something in their manner that made Perys think that Morwenna had probably once looked upon Rupert in the same way as Arabella now regarded him.
    He wondered whether Maude had viewed the situation with the misgivings he was aware she had about him. Sadly, he thought the answer would undoubtedly be that she had not.

Chapter