The best laid plans

Conor looks at me. “Is that a gun?”

I nod. “But it is empty.”

I start to scan the horizon but I can see nothing except the hanger. I look at Max and he gives a quick nod.

“I’ll go first,” Colin says.

Max hands Conor to me and whispers in my ear to say back. My face wrinkles at that. I have no wish to be the one at the back, but then someone must look after Conor. The kid waits until Max and Colin are a distance away before he starts to wriggle.

“What?” I ask.

“I want to walk,” he says.

“Are you feeling okay?”

He nods. I must admit he isn’t hot and his eyes are clear. Slowly I put him on the ground and he gives a smile. We start to walk toward the hangar. Conor picks up his pace and is jogging.

“Bitsy,” he…