Tammy: Flying High Part 5: Families Shiraz Turvey & Alecia Snowfall

 
This story follows on from Tammy: Rank Stupidity and Snowfall's Butterflies, Asphalt & Insanity

Part 5: Families

Tuesday saw Maisie out with clients, although she had already insisted that Tammy rode into town and did few miles on the bike later in the day.

Tammy’s destination was her Smart Properties office.

“Joey, can you do something different today for me?”

“Err, sure?”

“Take a look, go back five years, for all former industrial or former farming sites that have been sold as brown field or non-operational for whatever reason … large scraps of wasteland effectively. Include the ones where there’s a single house on the site.”

“Sure, is there a reason?”

“I’m looking at buying a plot for redevelopment but it’s not on the market yet and I have no idea how it’ll be priced. What I’d like is a look at what’s been sold locally and how much? Then I can work out what a fair price might be?”

“Ah okay, how long do I have?”

“Friday latest please.”

“Okay Tammy, but I’ll be quicker if you could answer the phones and emails! I’d also like a cup of tea please.”

Tammy decided to play along for a while, not that she had anything more to do. She was clearing the emails when her mobile rang, with an indication that the call was secure.

“Yes Colonel?”“Are you free to talk?”

“Give me a minute.”

Ignoring Joey she took herself to street level then walked across to the seawall.

“Okay, I’m definitely on my own now, Sir.”

“This site you visited yesterday, how come I have had enquiries from the Security Service and Major Dannigan already?”

“Sir, it seems the Americans knew where I had been and potentially why I was there. They are signed up to Project Spinnaker, Sir.”

“Granted, but I hadn’t had an opportunity to read your report when he called.”

“Sorry Sir, but I sent it as soon as we were back indoors. There was no delay from myself.”

“Indeed, and apologies if I implied otherwise. It does seem as if I’m the one who wasn’t paying attention. What about our friends in Five?”

“Heather Young rang me yesterday lunchtime and I told her where I was just after we parked up, so before I knew anything. I suspect she had the time to do some research of her own. As you will know, Dave Brown has been read in, that much was clear on Saturday evening, Sir, and it transpires he had also briefed Heather Young yesterday morning. She has subsequently compiled additional research which is most certainly of interest. I haven’t yetput that into a report as I’m hoping I’ll be able to forward Heather’s report when I see it.”

“In brief?”

“There’s a command and control bunker that’s hardened against a nuclear release at Dounraey.”

“I was a little concerned about the number of people who are currently aware of the site but Ms Young certainly has given us something that wasn’t in your report?”

“Sir, I didn’t know and I doubt the site manager knew. Nothing there hinted at a bunker”

“Excellent. Let’s keep a cap on that, but we need plans.”

“Sir, I’m looking at a way to buy the site privately so Maisie and I can live there.”

“I see.”

“Making it a private premises would help with the camouflage, Colonel.”

“Indeed. Keep me informed, but please keep this bunker to yourself for now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tammy found herself at the Smart Air AGM at McKay Hotel in Wick later at evening. They had a private room and
nibbles had been provided but no alcohol was offered. That suited Tammy but one or two were clearly expecting abottle of wine on the table. Her father was chairing the meeting.

The meeting started with the various reports, all of which Tammy had read only a day or so earlier. There were no grounds to challenge or query the reports, even the financial ones, so the legally required aspects of the meeting passed without incidence.

“Thank you everyone. We’re now onto any other business, does anyone have any thoughts for future developments of Smart Air?”

There weren’t any so Richard Smart continued. “In that case I would like to ask Tammy what she has planned and how it might affect Smart Air?”

“A word, please, Dad.”

Tammy stood, grabbed her phone and made for the door. Richard grudgingly exited the room with her. They arrived in the car park then moved away from the hotel.

“What the hell was that question, Dad?”

“That, Tammy, was an opportunity for you to get rid of the rumours that are already circulating.”

“What rumours?”

“That you are setting up a rival operation?”

“Really? All I did was ask Jim about the extent of legal stuff I might need to go through if I wanted my own helicopter on twenty four hour standby. In case you haven’t noticed I don’t have room to keep one at home and don’t have another site available.”

“Jim told me that you had asked the question, and I suspect others have heard the same.”

“I’ll resign from the board as clearly the court has decided I’m guilty of conspiring against Smart Air. Happy?”

“No, and don’t take that attitude. You can say you aren’t going ahead with your idea?”

“And that might end up being a lie.”

“Oh.”

“What you have done is to force me to say something that impinges on my personal life, my businesses and would potentially kill my government and military involvement. I’m damned if I say something and damned if I don’t. I would also have to report this. The net effect is that I would shut my businesses down and move out of town. Congratulations.”

“All I wanted to do was to squash the rumours. Tammy.”

“Dad, rumours that hadn’t reached my ears. Instead of a quiet word with individuals you have announced this to the whole board, including those who have little concept of secrecy. I’m minded to go home and write my resignation. I’ll sell my shares.”

“You have forty five percent of the share holding as you were gifted half of Elsie’s holding in her will. That would destabilise the company.”

“What would I care, when my entire professional life could be canned by the family firm?”

“Look, I’m sorry, but please say something.”

“I’ll try. Then I’m leaving to consider my future, sorry Dad.”

“Look, I understand. Does the Official Secrets Act apply to any of this?”

“Yes.”

“Damn.”

“Now you understand?”

“Yes.”

Tammy turned and returned to their meeting room.

“My apologies, I needed to clarify a point of order regarding my share holding in Smart Air. To answer the question, I have a personal helicopter licence and would like access to an aircraft twenty four hours a day however, given Wick Airport’s operating times, it isn’t possible to site a personal helicopter here on that basis. I am starting to examine locations in the greater Thurso area with several provisos. Firstly I don’t have a helicopter, secondly my licence is restricted to one class and I would need to expand that, thirdly I don’t yet have a site and finally I don’t currently have the finances to build a heliport for myself. So I have a pie in the sky idea that may not get off the ground.”

She paused to take a sip of water.

“Finally, If this ever happened, I would in fact be bringing business to Smart Air rather than taking business away. I hope that answers the original question as I will not saying any more on this non-subject.”

Richard thanked her as Tammy put her paperwork and phone away.

“I must leave, I have work elsewhere this evening. Good night.”

Tammy used the ladies room then found her car. She was on the road a minute later. It didn’t take long for her phone to ring.

“Tammy girl, that sounded tough?”

“Yeah, Krystel, I didn’t like going against my own father."

“It sounds like you had no choice, damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”

“Quite. Thing is, did I screw it?”

“You didn’t lie, that much is in your favor, at least you don’t have a place yet and you don’t have a chopper of your own. You did hit the problem with class licences, without saying you are only qualified on a military ticket.”

“Yeah, especially as very few of those at the table knew about helicopters. I can get why my dad asked the question, but it was the wrong place and wrong time.”

“I’m with you, but there could be fallout.”

Tammy sighed. “I know, but what do I do?”

“You wait and see, will the minutes of that meeting leak, just like the hydraulic liquid did at your farm?”

“It’s not mine yet, Cousin.”

“Considering you were there under thirty six hours ago, there are already two military units and three intelligence units discussing the matter.”

“Are you counting your unit twice?”

“Of course, Tammy.”

“I know Five are involved here, who else?”

“Your GCHQ have been informed. Our NSA told us. They get half a point each!”

“Too damn complicated, Krystel. Will I come out of this clean?”

“Maybe, Tammy, time will be your judge. The next week is key to a ‘go’ or ‘no go’ for Project Spinnaker.”

“I don’t really know enough yet, but should I find a way to buy the site regardless?”

“Yes, proceed. When were you going to tell us about the bunker?”

“When I have some definite information. I hope that hasn’t leaked?”

“No, it hasn’t, but keep us in the loop.”

“Yes, cuz. Can you send me a transcript of that meeting, or at least my conversation with dad?”

The ride back to Thurso was peaceful after that and Tammy parked without trouble behind their town house.

“There’s salad ready for you in the fridge, Tammy, you just need to zap your jacket potato.”

“Sorry Maisie, but I’m not hungry and I don’t feel too great.”

“What’s up?”

“I fell out with my father and threatened to resign.”

“Why?”

“He asked me a question during the meeting, a question about helicopters.”

“The project?”

“Yes, but none of them know much, if anything. It’s because I asked Jim a question before we went to the TT races. Apparently I’m setting up a rival company!”

“So one plus one equals five?”

“Yes.” Tammy started to cry, she’d felt brave earlier but her vulnerability was on display. Maisie moved closer.

“You’ll win, Tammy, you always do.”

They flew in Tammy’s two-seater CzechSport into Aberdeen on Wednesday morning, and were met at the airport by
Maisie’s father, Thomas. They elected to go back to the apartment Thomas and Lizzie rented from Tammy.

“How are you coping?” Asked Tammy.

“It’s difficult at times, Lizzie doesn’t always let me know what she’s doing. She’s also asking for salad all the time
but I don’t think there’s enough on the plate for her to be healthy?”

“She’s trying to keep fit, Thomas, and will only eat what she needs.”

“Even so …?”

“What about yourself?”

“I’m well, no grumbles. Maisie, you look like you’re bursting to say something?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Oh.”

“And yes, it’s just the pair of us.”

Given Thomas’ previous lack of understanding about Tammy’s transition, it wasn’t wholly unexpected that he asked the next question.

“But, Tammy, you’ve been done, haven’t you?”

“I can promise you, Sir, that I am indeed responsible for Maisie’s pregnancy, that’s me and the IVF unit in Glasgow.”

“So test tubes and turkey basters?”

“Not quite, but close enough.” Tammy was trying to put an end to that line of questioning.

“Do you know, know what it is yet, Maisie?”

“No, Dad, it’s way too early!”

“Well, I hope you’re getting married? When’s the date?”

“We don’t know, Dad,”

“I assume you can, legally, get hitched?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“I can’t keep up with all of this, this modern stuff.”

“Yes, Dad, I understand.”

They had coffee and cake before Thomas drove them back to the airport. Their aim was to see Lizzie, who was currently in the air, but Tammy had another plan. She first went to the training company to get their opinion on Lizzie’s progress.

“She’s passed on the Bell and JetRanger so we’ve come to the end of the programme with your Lieutenant.”

“I’d like to get her qualified on single engined fixed wing next, with night and instrument tickets at first.”

“I see, and eventually?”“Multi engined, but that may be next year. I’d like to get her working by the winter.”

“I see.”

“Now, I have a multi-engine private pilots license and a military helicopter license for the Puma.”

“The same military licence as Lizzie?”

“Correct, we qualified at the same time, but I was already licensed for fixed wing.”

“And you would like to convert your military license?”

“Yes, and expand into larger aircraft.”

“That’s not a problem, when would you like to do this?”

“During the summer, I’m potentially free until September.”

“Would an intensive course work for you?”

“Yes, when?”

“The guy picked up the relevant leaflets and handed them over.

“As you already have a fixed wing license, plus a military license, we can reduce the number of flying hours needed for the basic license in a Bell, that’s eight days over two weeks. We can upgrade you to a JetRanger over a week. So, call it three weeks? As for when, I have an opening from Monday 25th June? That’s the week after next.”

Tammy checked her diary. “That looks fine.”“I’d like to take a deposit now?”

“Sure.”

“And can you complete this form?”

Tammy wondered if she could persuade someone to cover the cost, as she paid £1000 to the training company. Lizzie chose that moment to walk in.

“I passed two weeks ago.”

“So what have you been doing?”

“Getting my hours in.”

“I see. At my expense I guess?”

“What are you doing, Tammy? Oh, helicopters? Why?”

“Because I want to, Lizzie. You, young lady, are going to get yourself some fixed wing tickets.”

“What about a holiday? And I need to sell my parents’ house?”

“When you have your next license.”

“Oh, Jeremy wanted to take me away?”

“Find Maisie and get a table in the café so we can get lunch? Go!”

Lizzie reluctantly left.“And she’s a lieutenant?”

“Mores the pity. I’m minded to send her back to base to see how she’d manage to avoid being put in the brig for insolence every day.”

He looked down at Tammy’s form, where her title was ‘Captain’.

“Why do you accept it?”

“Because I don’t want her feeling that I’m working against her,”

“I see.”

Tammy completed the paperwork then went in search of the girls. Lizzie had her back to Tammy.

“She doesn’t understand!”

Tammy walked over swiftly. “Who doesn’t, Lizzie?”

“Oh.”

“You are not going on holiday with Jeremy, you are going to be busy.”

“With what?”

“I’ll discuss that with the Commander when I see him next. I think you can expect some time on base.”

“Why?”“Because you have forgotten what it’s like to be an RAF officer.”

“But I’m not? I’m a civilian.”

“Lizzie, get your facts right. Who pays you?”

“I don’t know.”

Tammy looked at Maisie. “My appetite’s gone. Let’s go. Lizzie, this isn’t over.”

Maisie and Tammy were hosting Richard and Joan for dinner that evening.

“I understand you walked out last night?”

Maisie headed for the kitchen, muttering about checking dinner.

“Yes, Mum.” She stared at her father, who shrugged.

“You didn’t give a very good impression considering you are a major shareholder?”

“I’m non-executive, I’m not bringing the company into disrepute and last time I checked I don’t run the company day to day, Neither do you. I don’t want to go over it, and I’ll wait to see what the minutes say?”

“You should issue an apology.”“No. You weren’t there and you do not understand what was going on.”

“Perhaps I should have been?”

“Mum, I was going to give you some news this evening, but you seem to want to push me. Why?”

“Suzie called me, told me how you just arrived, out of the blue.”

“She was awake, and seemed okay with us. It was a difficult weekend.”

“Well, what were you doing?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Or won’t? Suzie didn’t know.”

“I can’t, mum, and Suzie was told only what she needed to know. Dad, aren’t you going to say something?”

“How was Aberdeen?”

“Fine. We visited Maisie’s father. We wanted to visit both parents in one day. I can see that was pretty pointless.”

“Oh.” Richard realised what Tammy had implied.

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Congratulations? I don’t think you should be congratulating yourself, young lady?” Tammy shook her head.

“Mum, I think you should go before you say anything else inappropriate.”

“How insolent?”

Richard stood. “Sorry Tammy, my apologies. I’m sorry we’ve spoilt the evening. Come on Joan.”

“I’m waiting for an apology?”

“Good night, mum.”

Tammy held it together until her parents were outside, unfed, then she burst into tears. Maisie came to her and wrapped Tammy in her arms.

“You couldn’t help it, She didn’t understand.”

“I never seem to get anything right. Last time it was when Suzie didn’t get to meet the Queen.”

“What do you want to do about dinner? I was about to plate it up.”

“I’m not really hungry, at least it’s salad?”

“Not just salad!”

“Yeah, but you know what I meant.”

“Yes, Tammy, so do you want some hot potatoes in butter with your salad?”

“It’s a small cheat.”“I’ll take that as a yes.”