The airport controller was back on the line forty minutes after Ghuman had put the phone down.
“There are five other flights scheduled for London this evening, Mr. Ghuman. Three out of New Delhi, one from Calcutta and the other from Bangalore. Neither Mr. Clifton nor your daughter are booked on any of them. However, there’s a BOAC flight to Manchester and another to Glasgow that are leaving New Delhi later this evening, and the booking desks for both are still open.”
“Clever, Mr. Clifton, very clever indeed. But there’s one thing you’ve overlooked. Mr. Shah,” said Ghuman, “I need to know which of those flights they’re booked on. Once you’ve found out, make sure they don’t board the plane.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Mr. Ghuman, because they are both British carriers, and I have no way of checking their manifests, unless I can show a crime has been committed.”
“You can tell them Clifton is attempting to kidnap my daughter, and that you’ll hold the flight up if they allow them to board the plane.”
“I don’t have the authority to do that, Mr. Ghuman.”
“Listen carefully, Mr. Shah. If you don’t do it, by this time tomorrow you won’t have any authority at all.”
* * *
The flight from Bombay to New Delhi landed a couple of hours later, leaving Seb and Priya with almost two hours to kill before they could board their connecting flight. They didn’t waste any time making their way over to the international terminal, where they joined the queue at BOAC’s booking desk.
“Good afternoon, sir, how can I help you?” asked the clerk.
“I’d like two seats on your flight to Glasgow.”
“Certainly, sir. First or economy?”
“First,” said Seb.
“Economy,” said Priya. They tossed a coin. Priya won.
“Is this the way it’s going to be for the rest of our married life?” said Seb.
“Are you on your honeymoon?” asked the booking clerk.
“No,” said Seb. “We’re getting married tomorrow.”
“Then I shall be delighted to upgrade you to first class.”
“Thank you,” said Priya.
“But first I need to see your passports.” Sebastian handed them over. “Do you have any bags to check in?”
“None,” said Seb.
“Fine. And could I have a credit card please?”
“Do we also toss for that?” asked Seb, looking at Priya.
“No, I’m afraid you’re about to marry a girl who comes without a dowry.”
“You’re in seats 4A and 4B. The flight is scheduled to leave on time, and the gate opens in forty minutes. You might like to take advantage of our first-class lounge, which is on the other side of the hall.”
Seb and Priya held hands as they nervously nibbled nuts and drank endless cups of coffee in the first-class lounge, until they finally heard the announcement they had been waiting for.
“This is the first call for BOAC flight 009 to Glasgow. Will all passengers please make their way to Gate number eleven.”
“I want us to be the first on the plane,” said Seb, as they walked out of the lounge. He had always known that this would be the only unscripted moment, but he was confident that once they’d boarded the plane, even Mr. Ghuman wouldn’t be able to have them taken off a British carrier. In the distance he spotted two armed policemen standing by the departure gate. Were they always there, or were they on the lookout for him? And then he remembered the police car that had been stationed outside Mr. Ghuman’s house and had then continuously followed him and Vijay. Ghuman was a man with political influence and power, especially in his own country, the High Commissioner had warned.
Seb slowed down, looking first to his right and then his left as he searched for an escape route. The two policemen were now staring at them and, when they were just a couple of yards from the barrier, one of the officers stepped forward as if he’d been waiting for them.
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