Strange Tales

Strange Tales by Anton Valdemart

Up, Up and Away

For some people, it was cars, for others boats but for Michael, it was planes - built with his own hands to his own specifications. To be precise it was one plane - or flying machine as older people called it - and it was constructed at home. Veronica was sceptical at first. After all, it was only 10 years since the Wright brothers made the first powered flight. The couple had recently become engaged. On the day Michael bought a beautiful engagement ring, he had shown Veronica the plans. They studied the blueprints in the conservatory of his parents’ Allerton home. “Surely this is too tiny and fragile to fly?” queried Veronica. “That’s a plus,” replied Michael. “It is light enough to manoeuvre into place for the best take off. Most aeroplanes need a long run to get airborne - this will need the minimum of ground.” The machine was soon taking shape in the workshop next to the conservatory. The basic fuselage was soon joined by the wings. Michael was proud of the engine he had built to high specifications. “It needs a powerful thrust to take off,” he explained. The propellor was the last to be fitted and he was ready for a test run. The flight lasted about five minutes, circling the church before landing in Calderstones Park. A noisy crowd gathered so he took off and returned home, landing in the spacious garden. More flights followed, described by Michael with relish. Once he swooped over Speke Hall, startling Miss Watt as she took her constitutional. He crossed the Mersey and landed at Bebington. He was among the pioneers, free from regulations and restrictions. It was a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky or a breath of wind. “Let’s go to Southport,” said Michael. Veronica was nervous. She had only flown once, on one of the test flights, and it left her feeling queasy. Soon they were cruising above the rooftops. They could see people far below looking and pointing.

Veronica clung to Michael’s waist. Soon they were in open country, following the railway line. Elegant Lord Street, with its crowds of visitors, came into view. Michael swooped and rose over familiar landmarks such as the town hall and art gallery. They headed for the beach, making a perfect landing by the fairground. The plane attracted a crowd including a group of boys. Michael and Veronica were talking to a couple they knew when the plane’s engine roared. Off it went along the sands with two boys on board. It bounced about but failed to take off before stuttering to a halt after 300 yards. “I’m not paying half a crown - we didn’t take off,” said one of the boys and walked off in a huff. Michael was indulgent. “You’ll make a pilot one day,” he told the other boy. Michael and Veronica laughed all the way home.

read my next Strange Tale in the LINK: Top hat and Tales.