Mel had decided that it would be impossible for him to leave the airport that night.

He was in his office, and had been getting the latest reports on what was happening on the airfield. Runway three zero was still blocked, and there were many delays. It was possible that the airport would have to be closed in a few hours.

Planes were still taking off over Meadowood, and many of the people who lived there had telephoned the airport to complain about the noise. Mel knew that there had also been a meeting, and now it seemed that some of the people from the meeting were coming to the airport. They would add greatly to the problems which he already had.

One good thing was that the emergency was over. The Air Force KC-135 had landed safely. But Mel still had the feeling that there was going to be another emergency, and that it would be worse than this one.

Cindy was waiting for him at the party. He must phone her immediately, although she wouldn't be very pleased to hear what he had to say.

He had to wait for several minutes before she came to the phone. He was surprised at how quiet her voice was. There was no anger in it now, only an icy calm.

He had not expected this, and found it difficult to talk to her. He told her that he would not be able to come to the party, and then paused, uncertain what to say next.

'Have you finished?' she asked coldly.

'Yes.'

'I'm not surprised at what you've just said. I never expected you to come. I knew that you were lying to me, as usual.'

'I wasn't lying, Cindy, and-'

'I thought you said you'd finished?'

Mel stopped. Why argue with her?

'You're staying at the airport?' she went on,

'I told you I was.'

'How long?'

'Until midnight. Possibly all night.'

'Then I'm coming to see you there.'

'Listen, Cindy, you can't come here. This is neither the time nor the place.'

'Then we'll make it the time. And for what I have to say, any place is good enough.'

He tried to reply, but she had already put down the telephone.

He sat in silence for a moment, and then, without knowing why, he called home. Mrs Sebastiani, who was looking after the children, answered.

'Is everything all right?' Mel asked. 'Are the girls in bed?'

'Roberta is, Mr Bakersfeld, but Libby's still awake.'

'May I speak to her?'

He heard her small feet running to the phone. As usual, she had a question for him: 'Daddy, does our blood keep going around and around for ever?'

'Not for ever, dear,' Mel told her. 'Nothing's for ever. Your blood has been going around for seven years so far.'