“Isn’t that awfully long, sir? I mean we have to be back day after tomorrow.”
The Major shrugged. “Nothing we can do about it. There are no planes going out for an indefinite period.”
“Well,” the Captain stood up and Evans did the same, “you had better check on the weather and take water and do whatever else you have to do. You’ll definitely leave tomorrow morning and you’ll stop off at the Big Harbor. See you later today.” He turned to the Major. “If you’d like to move aboard tonight....”
“Oh no, never mind. We’ll move on tomorrow.”
“O.K., be seeing you, Evans.”
Evans muttered that he had been pleased to meet them and left the room. As he walked down the corridor he wondered if Bervick would be able to understand the weather chart. He decided not.
Outside, the rain had stopped. The wind was cooler and more brisk. Evans walked toward a half-barrel-shaped hut: the weather office. Ravens glided heavily around him, their black feathers glistening bluely in the pale light. High above him he could make out an eagle flying northward.
Inside the weather office a Master Sergeant was handling the maps and charts. The weather officer had not come in yet.
“Hello, Mr Evans.”
“Hello, has Bervick been here?”