My Heart Has Wings Read Online Free PDF Page A

hour, ignoring the small clamour that nagged at the back of her mind. Mike was jealous of Erica’s interest in this Paleski character. That stuck out a mile. And where there was jealousy there was love. So what! Of course he was in love with Erica Scott-Manly. Helen had said so. And anyhow it was obvious. Erica could wind him round her little finger ... string him along while she amused herself with flying instructors. And when she was through, he’d be there. Waiting with, his characteristic self-assurance for her to turn to him—as she undoubtedly would. Nobody in their right mind c ould go on being interested in Polish flying instructors when they could have a man like Mike Carliss for the asking.
    She was flicking the last page out of her typewriter when Daker came in, his wild thatch of hair standing on end, as it did when in moments of stress he ran his two hands through it , clutching it by the roots. The conference, Jan decided, had been as bothersome as she guessed.
    Tactfully silent, she followed him into the inner office, the letters to be signed in her hands. He went through them rapidly—setting the more confidential letters aside. “In future,” he said, “there’s got to be a double check on the triplicate carbons to top secret correspondence. I want Mrs. Stanford to see to it. And they are to filed in the strong room.”
    Jan murmured her acquiescence. Some new security regulation, she thought, undisturbed; they were always cropping up. Though it was a little peculiar to give the responsibility of the new filing system to Helen the newcomer, but she wouldn’t dare suggest this to Daker in his present, obviously prickly, mood. She said, “I’d better get on with the play-back of Mr. Carliss’ flight, hadn’t I?”
    Daker went a queer dull red. He seemed unable to meet her eye as he answered hurriedly, “You won’t have to bother. S.M. has issued an edict that all loaded wire recorders are in future to be dealt with in his own office.”
    “Won’t that hold things up rather?” Jan asked.
    “Bound to,” snapped Daker. “But that’s how S.M. wants it.” He raised his wild dark head and gave her a glance of piercing scrutiny. Her young face bore a pondering look, innocent, untroubled. First the tightening up on the filing system and now this queer new rule about the wire recorders ... an outcome, obviously of the emergency conference. “Has something gone wrong ? ” she asked.
    “What do you think?” Daker returned most strangely. “What could have gone wrong ? ”
    The hazel eyes regarded him squarely, limpid with unconcern. “I don’t know. An Air Ministry row, or something?”
    He shook his head. The piercing glance filmed over, slid evasively away with a curious suggestion of embarrassment. “It’s nothing like that,” he said. “Just do what you’re told, and ask no questions ... and thank your stars you’re not an executive!” He drew a folder from a drawer in his desk. “These notes of mine on the proposed new wind tunnel ... maybe you’d have time to type them out before you go home?”
    He stood up with a harassed glance at the synchronized wall clock. “Where is Carliss?” he demanded.
    “He has gone over to the experimental hangar,” Jan supplied.
    Daker muttered a mild frustrated oath. “Nuisance ! I wanted to see him, but it will have to wait until tomorrow, I’ve got to rush off to that Air Council meeting.”
    He went out, mumbling to himself.
    It was soon after five when Jan finished the wind tunnel notes, and as there was nothing else to do she told Helen they might call it a day. She was glad to be getting away on time this evening because it was Peter’s birthday and she’d planned a mildly festive meal for him—within the limits of the stringent economy that had to be practised at No. 4 Regency Terrace these difficult days. She tried not to think about the difficulties as she came out into the sweet summer evening air, but they were waiting for her,