One of Us Is Dead

96 Tuesday 18 October 2022

In the Shoreham Air Traffic Control tower, Grace, Branson and the three controllers listened for London’s response to the Mayday call.

‘Golf Alpha Victor Uniform Zulu, advise the nature of your emergency?’

There was a long silence.

London tried again. ‘Can you tell us the nature of your emergency?’

There was another long silence.

All of them looked at the tiny upright arrow on the screen, with the numbers beside it. Golf Uniform Zulu was climbing steeply again and heading out away from the shore, over the sea.

‘I’ll suggest to London it’s time to alert the military,’ Moss said. ‘We need someone to take a look at what’s going on up there.’

Then the pilot suddenly blurted out, crackly, muzzed by interference, ‘Oh shit — no!’