'Is she hysterical?' asked Shimlara 'Nicola, are you hysterical?'
Nicola decided to pull herself together before everyone started enthusiastically slapping her across the face.
'I'm not hysterical,' she said, and tried to think of something leaderish and sensible to say. A notice stuck to the inside of the basket caught her eye.
'Now will you all just calm down and take a look at this notice,' she said bossily, as if everyone else had been the ones falling about laughing. They all crouched down to read.
WHAT TO DO IN THE CASE OF A MINOR OR MAJOR HURRICANE
In the case of a minor hurricane, your chances of survival are approximately 48.5-63.5%. We recommend that you:
1. Place an inflatable bubble-jacket (stored under the burner) over your head and tie the straps around your waist as per the diagram. Bubble-jackets are designed to inflate on impact with a hard surface. In this event you will find yourself encased within a bouncy rubber ball for your own safety. Unfortunately it is not possible to remove yourself from the ball without assistance. We apologise for any inconvenience.
2. Sit on the floor of the basket.
3. If you are accompanied by acquaintances or loved ones it might be a good idea to confirm your feelings. For example, 'I love you', 'I am quite fond of you', or 'I have never really liked you all that much', as the case may be. You may also want to ask for forgiveness for previous wrongs, such as hurtful comments, forgotten birthdays, etc.
NOTE: DO NOT attempt to fly the balloon to any specific location. This is a HURRICANE, folks. The balloon is going to do whatever the hurricane wants. The best you can hope for is that you'll be slammed gently into the nearest mountain. By the way, there will always be some joker in the pack who suggests heading for the eye of the storm. This is like advising a bankrupt person to try to win the lottery. Sure it would be great, but what are the odds? (Teeny-weeny.)
In the case of a major hurricane, your chances of survival are approximately 0%. We recommend that you:
Enjoy your last few moments of life!
Thank you for flying with Shobble's leading hot-air balloonists.
Nicola was the fastest reader so she finished first. Her earlier laughter had vanished although she could still feel the giggly sensation at the back of her throat. She watched the emotions fly across everyone's faces as they read. They frowned, they chewed their lips, they went bright red or ghost white.
One by one, as each person finished reading the sign, they turned their head towards Nicola in search of guidance.
28
'Philippe did say a minor hurricane, didn't he?' Shimlara gripped the side of the basket as it rocked aggressively. Long strands of her hair whipped across her face and caught in her mouth. 'Tell me he didn't say major!'
'He definitely said minor.' Tyler squinted up at the mass of angry black cloud that was gathering above them. 'Although this looks pretty major to me.'
'I don't see what's so bad about suggesting that you try to fly into the eye of the storm.' Sean looked offended by the notice. 'It makes perfect sense!'
'I knew taking the hot-air balloon was a bad idea.' Greta pulled a Honeyville Primary raincoat from her backpack, her lips pursed as if someone had purposely arranged the hurricane just to annoy her.
'Well it's funny you never mentioned it,' said Shimlara.
'I knew there was no point. Nobody ever listens to me.'
Suddenly it was pouring fat, heavy raindrops. Within seconds everyone was drenched and shivering uncontrollably, their hair plastered to their heads. Nicola felt raindrops running icily down the back of her clothes. Thunder boomed and lightning cracked like a whip, illuminating their wet, frightened faces. The basket rocked so hard everyone lurched clumsily about trying to keep their balance. Shimlara's elbow collided with Greta's nose.
'OW!'
'It's not my fault!'
Nicola imagined how their hot-air balloon must look from the ground. Probably like a helpless butterfly being tossed about against the huge backdrop of the sky. Philippe was no doubt laughing his head off at their predicament. Would they survive? And what would happen to Katie if the rest of them were killed in a ballooning accident?
Tyler yelled over the noise of the rain, 'We've got to put our bubble-jackets on like the notice says!'
Sean crouched down and pulled red jackets from a box beneath the balloon's burner. He handed one to each person. They looked like puffier versions of ordinary life jackets. Nicola tugged hers over her head and tied the straps around her waist.
The others were crouching around the edges of the basket with their heads bowed against the rain and the wind.
She wedged herself between Greta and Sean.