28
Ivan clutched the receiver and waited, anxious, as the call connected.
‘Ivan Kight. Stanley Bruce here.’
‘Prime minister…’
‘I have taken another look through your letter, Captain Kight. Now I could be wrong,’ Bruce sounded doubtful, ‘but it seems to me that your government doesn’t actually approve the type of aircraft you’ve chosen.’ The sound of rustling paper travelled down the line. ‘Gordon Coates says here that you will be flying at entirely your own risk, which I think really means that, if the flight fails, the New Zealand government won’t be held responsible.’
The man spoke with deliberate slowness and Ivan felt insulted. Despite his racing heartbeat he remained outwardly calm and summoned diplomacy. ‘Yes indeed, the monoplane’s crew is fully prepared to take responsibility
