As the Nogolian jungle faded away beneath the thick cloud-bank Shaw turned and looked at Gillian, sitting quietly by his side. He reached out impulsively and took her hand, pressing it gently. He said, feeling how inadequate it was, “I’m sorry—about all that’s happened. I never thought when I asked you to obey that phone-call that—-” She stopped him. “That’s all right. You kept your promise, didn’t you? You got me out of it again. That’s all that matters really.” “Nice of you to see it that way!” They sat silently after that as the plane flew on. Shaw’s thoughts were already speeding ahead of the plane, homeward across the skies for London, looking forward to a little spot of relaxation. . . looking forward to spending a little time alone with Debbie, which was a thing he could so seldom do. Thinking of Debbie, he came to with a jump and found the stewardess smiling down at him.
