by Sewell, Ron
He turned his head towards him. “Not economical. In the early twentieth century, steam locomotives serviced one town in every area. During the war, the Italians utilised the rail network to its full potential and the Germans capitalised on their efforts. You could catch a train in Athens and alight in Berlin.
“Today the car is king. The upkeep of tracks in the mountains is not cost effective. Roads are cheaper.”
The others slept while Laith drove through the night until they reached the town of Florina close to the border with Macedonia. He stopped the car outside a house, which appeared freshly white-washed, and jumped out. “Zane will drive from here to his village. I’m going to bed.”
Zane, Petros and Bear alighted, stretched and walked back and forth along the road.
Bear glanced at his watch. “Anywhere a man can find something to eat?”
“When we reach my village you will have a feast for breakfast,” said Zane.
“If I survive,” said Bear.
“I’ll drive,” said Petros, “Just give me directions.”
Petros slid behind the wheel, adjusted the seat and started the engine.
“Straight ahead, turn right at the third crossroads.”
The road from Florina remained good and wide until the turn off for Zane’s village. At some time a concrete slab existed but combined with a lack of money and winter rain it now resembled a farm track.
“How far?” asked Petros.
“Twenty kilometres but the higher we go the better it gets.”
“I believe you.”
At seven kilometres, the road became asphalt single track with sections cut out of the rock for passing places.
“Before they cut the road the donkey remained our only form of transport,” said Zane.
Surprised at what he saw, Petros drove into a modern village complete with cobbled square and a taverna.
“Completely rebuilt,” said Zane. “During the war our latrines were holes in the ground at the far end and our home one large room where we lived. In case of a surprise attack we slept in tents dotted across the hillsides. We lived to fight and survive. A permanent roof over your head, luxury.” He pointed. “Stop the car outside Sophie’s Taverna.”
Sophie’s was the largest two storey building in the square, built in the Greek style and painted white with blue shutters. Other buildings formed terraces or were large houses in their own plots.
Petros’ eyes scanned the square. “I like this place.”
“Sophie speaks good English. She studied as a girl in London. I’ve booked two rooms and breakfast will be ready when you want.”
Bear’s stomach rumbled for all to hear. “Now would be good.”
Zane chuckled and entered the main room of the taverna. “Sophie, my friends are here. Is their breakfast ready?”
A well-proportioned woman strolled into the main room with a plate filled with bread and pastries. “Hot. Fresh from my oven.” She pointed to a table. “Cheese, yoghurt, cold cuts of meat, olives, boiled eggs, spinach pies, cereals and I’ll make tea or coffee for you in a minute.”
“Should silence your stomach until lunch time,” said Zane.
Bear pulled up a chair and began with the hot bread and cheese. “PK, this bread is delicious and the cheese a present from the gods.”
“I’ll wash my hands and rinse my face first and then eat. Give me your bag.” Petros lifted the bags and traipsed after Sophie to the rear of the house.
“Two rooms, clean and large bed for your friend.”
“Thank you,” said Petros
Sophie smiled. ”You speak English with a touch of Greek.”
“My mother’s Cypriot and I was born there.”
“Unusual, a blond-haired Cypriot.” She opened a door. “Bathroom.”
“Tell my friend to leave me some food. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Don’t worry, there’s plenty more in my kitchen.”
***
Bear grabbed a paper serviette, wiped his mouth and hands. He turned to Petros who nibbled on a roll. “Now my body’s replenished, what’s next? Where’s this train?”
Petros gazed at him across the table. “Zane told me it’s a day and a half stroll through the mountains.”
“Why can’t we drive?”
“No roads.”
Bear checked his iphone for messages. “Blonde Bob will be in Florina at ten thirty. Fuel is ordered for her arrival.”
“It’s the best way,” said Petros.
Bear belched. “Somehow I don’t think Zane would make it if we took a stroll through the mountains.”
“Charming. When he returns we drive back to Florina and hire some climbing equipment.”
Chapter Four
Blonde Bob checked the controls one more time before operating the collective and the craft lifted into clear sky. With a quick glance at her note-book she adjusted her course and speed, levelling out at one thousand feet.
***
Showered and changed into clothes more suited to travel in the rugged landscape, Petros and Bear enjoyed another cup of coffee while they waited.
Bear glanced out the window overlooking the main street. “Here he comes and bloody hell, he’s driving what looks like a world war two jeep.”
Petros stood. “Let’s go.” They strolled out into the street.
Bear side-stepped out of the way as Zane stopped the vehicle. “Where on earth did you find that?”
“Seventy years ago these marvellous machines littered the landscape. No one came to collect them so along with others we retrieve many.” He stopped and thought for a moment. “We salvaged twenty-five, give or take.”
“Collectors of world war two vehicles would give an arm and a leg for one.”
Zane shrugged. “Maybe they would but they’re not for sale. Jump in.”
“Full speed to the helipad in Florina,” said Petros. “A friend of ours is arriving soon and we’ll need climbing equipment.”
“We can borrow the rescue gear; they have rucksacks ready to go. Their team leader’s a friend.” He rubbed his chin. “Of course a suitable donation might help.”
“How suitable?” said Petros.
“A few hundred Euros.”
“Good as done. Bear, how much cash are you carrying?”
Bear shook his head with a smile on his face. “Enough.”
The jeep, unlike the car, traversed the road to Florina with little difficulty. A dry-stone wall enclosed the helipad field and a large sign stated ‘No Unauthorised Admittance’.
Zane stopped the jeep as the rattle of helicopter rotors filled the air. Each man stared into the sky as a Eurocopter 120 swooped across the field, hovered and landed in the centre of the pad. The engine noise wound down, the rotors stopped and the pilot, helmet in hand, slid out of the seat to the ground.
Blonde Bob’s blue denim outfit fitted the curves of her slender but firm body to perfection. In her late thirties, she was tall, with the face of an angel framed by long blonde hair. Swinging her helmet, she strode towards them. She shook her head. “Bear, long time no see. Give me a kiss.”
Bear hugged and kissed her on the lips.
“The passion’s missing, you must be shagging someone.” She glanced sidelong at Petros with her blue- grey-eyes. “I’ve heard a lot about you but you’re married.”
Petros shrugged. “They tell me you can fly a chopper.” He pointed to the mountains.
Blonde Bob grinned, revealing a mouthful of perfect teeth. “I can fly through the gates of hell, put the fire out and shag the devil before he realises. Good enough?”
The roar of a heavy diesel engine ended the conversation. “My fuel,” said Bob with a smile on her lips.
Bob supervised the refuelling of the helicopter personally and only when satisfied did she nod to Petros. “Pay him. Who’s this old man?”
While Petros handed over a wad of Euros, Bear introduced her to Zane.
“Any young men in your village?”
&n
bsp; “Behave,” said Bear.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be a good girl. But you know me, when I’m good I’m very, very, good and when I’m bad, I’m even better.”
“Don’t go there,” said Bear.
“When can we leave?” asked Petros.
She smiled sweetly. “Five minutes. I need a pee. Where’s the loo?”
“Behind the wall,” said Bear.
“No problem but no peeking. You can wait in the chopper.”
As she wandered away, the three men sauntered across to the Eurocopter.
“How good is she?”
“None better,” said Bear.
They fell silent. Bob secured her safety straps. “Everyone tied in? These things can get bumpy. Where to, granddad?”
Zane frowned.” This is my first time.”
She laughed. “I remember my first time. The prat didn’t have a good fuck in him.”
Zane said nothing, but a large grin covered his face.
With the checks complete, she started the engine and waited. Her eyes moved methodically across the instrument panel as the chopper rose into the air.
Through the intercom system, Zane spoke and pointed towards the mountains. “Head towards the flat top. From there I should see the old track.”
She nodded as the craft lifted. The tops of trees metres below folded as they hurtled across. A forest of tall pines covered the landscape. “Keep talking to me, old man, you know where we’re going.”
Zane nodded and pointed ahead. “Why do they call you Bob?”
There was a brief uneasy silence. “My dad wanted a boy and named me Roberta. I hated it and when I joined the army someone called me Blonde Bob and it stuck.”
“You were in the army?”
“Don’t sound so surprised, old man. One of their top pilots until I fucked up in Iraq. They gave me a choice, courts marshal or resign my commission.”
Zane nodded his understanding. “We all make mistakes and have to live with the consequences.”
“I didn’t make a mistake but some high ranking wanker fucked up and dropped me in the shit. Keep me on target, old man.”
“You’re going in the right direction but I have never seen the location from the air.” His voice revealed a hint of uncertainty.
“Bear, I fly this thing for two hours in one direction then I return for fuel. What are we supposed to be looking for?”
“A seventy year old rail track concealed by a ton of foliage.”
“Descend,” shouted Zane.
“Do you want me to land or simply fly at ground level?”
“Land and let me get my bearings.”
“Anywhere in particular?”
Zane pointed to the remains of an abandoned stone farmhouse. “At the front of that building or as near as you can get.”
“Bear, you’re my eyes. I intend to land on the hunk of grey stone to the right of the ruin.”
Bob checked the wind direction and with Bear giving instructions settled the chopper on top of the boulder.
Zane peered left and right. “We are close to the gorge, I’m certain.” He pointed. “Fly towards those trees.”
The noise of the engine increased and they lifted into the air.
“There’s the gorge,” shouted Zane. “The old track wound around the mountains. There should be what remains of a bridge to our left.”
Bob banked the chopper and followed the contour of the mountain.
“One bent and twisted bridge, old man.”
“Now go in the other direction and look for a suitable landing site.”
“Trees and more trees,” said Bob.
“To the right,” said Petros.
“Hey, hawk eye’s right.” The Eurocopter flew straight towards the mountain and hovered over a blackened area. “Should be okay. Bear, Petros, keep your eyes open for anything. I’m going to land.”
Both men positioned themselves and studied the ground beneath them.
“Looks good,” said Bear.
“I second that,” said Petros.
With faultless control Bob descended until her eyes told her all was clear. The wheels touched, she breathed deeply, switched the engine off and jumped out. With long strides she orbited the craft, tripped, and fell to the ground. She stood, brushed the rubbish from her clothes, and beckoned to Petros and Bear. She pointed to a pair of rust-covered tracks. “Found your railway.”
Zane joined them. “Now we walk.”
“You walk,” said Bob. “I’m staying with the chopper.”
Petros nodded. “Zane, how far?”
He hesitated before speaking. “It’s many years since I was here. I’ll be honest, I don’t know.”
Petros scanned the way ahead. “Bob.” She stopped what she was doing.
“I intend to return one hour before sunset. If we’re not back, you fly to Florina and collect us in the morning.”
“I can fly in the dark.”
“Never said you couldn’t but a double bed is better than sleeping rough. You could even get lucky.”
Bob gave out a dirty laugh. “Good thinking.”
Bear handed Petros one rucksack and shouldered the other. “We’re wasting time. Zane, you lead and we’ll follow.”
They walked in line through long dead grass and trees. The surface of the old railway track and the remnants of metal ties and plates gave assurance.
Three hours later Zane stopped. Petros and Bear joined him.
Bear placed his hand on Zane’s shoulder. “You okay?”
He pointed. “Up there is where my grandfather waited when the earthquake struck. I recognise the overhang where he sheltered.”
Bear dropped his rucksack, walked a short distance and returned. “Makes sense, we have a gorge over there, flat surface and a mountain. Ahead the slope into the gorge indicates a shift of earth and rocks. Under there might be a train and a tunnel. The odds aren’t high that anything survived.”
“Suggestions?” said Petros.
“Let Zane rest, while we complete a recon.”
Without their rucksacks, Petros and Bear clambered up the shallow incline checking as they went. An hour elapsed before they stopped and rested.
“Nothing,” said Bear
“Ditto. This, from what Zane described, was the exit from the tunnel. How about we climb to the top, drop down, and find the entrance?”
Bear’s eyes wandered over the steep hillside. “Might as well give it a try, providing this lot doesn’t move.”
“The weather, grass and tree roots should have tied it together. Come on, shift your fat arse.”
With caution, they tested every foot and handhold before they ascended. They rested in an area of sparse variation.
“This hasn’t moved in donkeys’,” said Bear. “The fault line and slide are over there. If it didn’t collapse, the tunnel’s under our feet”
“Might as well find where the entrance should be before we go back.”
“Seeing as we’re here, why not? Then you can tell Zane the truth; his tunnel’s gone.”
“One step at a time. I’d rather not fall into any large holes.”
“Small ones will twist or break an ankle,” said Bear.
“Thanks a bunch, I didn’t know that.”
“Just watch your step.”
The shrubbery as they descended a slight slope changed to woodland along with a vast canopy, which filtered the sunlight.
“Shit,” shouted Bear as his foot caught on a root and he tumbled headlong. Thorny bushes tore at his clothes and face as he rolled into a narrow channel.
“Where are you?” shouted Petros.
“Follow my voice but mind those damned roots.”
In the middle of a mass of long grass and scrub he found him. “Sat on your fat arse as usual.”
“Okay, smarty knickers. Take a gander at this.” He pointed to a crevasse. “Another metre or so and goodbye cruel world.”
“Are you thinking the same as me?”
�
�Yeah, but not today. We need the proper gear before we enter this black hole.”
Petros shook his head. “Naturally, but we need a marker.”
“A pile of stones to identify the spot.”
They rummaged around and built a tall cairn. Bear stripped a long branch and shoved it in the centre.
“Small piles marking our return route will make it easier tomorrow,” said Bear.
As they descended to the old track insignificant piles of stones indicated their route.
The rattle of stones woke Zane from his sleep. “Did you find anything?”
“Not Sure,” said Petros. “We discovered a large crack in the rock. Tomorrow and with the right gear we’ll check it out.”
They picked up their rucksacks and returned to where Bob waited.
“Any luck?”
“Maybe,” said Bear. “We wasted six hours today walking. Can you get this chopper any closer?”
“Let’s have a look.” With the pre-flight checks completed she started the engine. “I’ll fly along the ravine and you lot can scan the area for an empty parking spot. I’ll tell you if it’s feasible.”
Bob lifted the chopper, drifted into the centre of the gorge and hovered. “As far as I can see, far too many trees.”
“There’s the landslip,” said Bear. He chuckled. “It took us three hours to walk and fifteen minutes to fly. Bob, go higher there’s a flat area further up.”
With a gentle caress of the controls, the craft rose up the side of the mountain. “I can see where you mean. I’ll take a gander.”
The Eurocopter hovered at twenty metres and in stages descended. The two inboard wheels touched the grass and stone-covered slope.
“I prefer to land on the level. Bear, Petros, jump out and position large rocks under my outboard wheels. If I’m happy I land, if not, tomorrow you jump and I’ll return later.”
The two men opened the door and slid to the ground. With their heads low they scrambled clear from the down draught and began to lift and tumble largish rocks. On finding what appeared suitable, they lifted and placed one slab in position. Finding and locating the second took time.
Both men stood at a safe distance and noticed the pure concentration on Bob’s face as the craft hovered. Zane pointed when Bear gave the thumbs up.
