The second of two alternative endings to this lighthearted fantasy tale.

continuing - Victor's flight of fancy
................... Seconds later he burst through the smoke, coughing violently and beating his chest to snuff out the smouldering spots where sparks had caught his clothing. No more experiments. This was real. This was dangerous. This was embarrassing...

ENDING B - Victor's life changes forever

Yes, there were people below him, and any one of them could look up and see him. The thought had scarcely crossed Victor's mind when Hilary Johnson looked up and noticed him, her eyes ablaze with delight. Victor had a soft spot for Hilary, the English teacher at Brenthorpe School, but she disliked his priggish rationality and avoided him. She was available for him now, recognising with pleasure that the stuffy sceptic had opened himself to wonder and become desirable. Reaching upwards with both arms she lifted skywards and rose up to meet him in flight. They were sharing an experience that was theirs alone and they knew they'd be together forever. Hand-in-hand they flew over the hill towards Brenthorpe Forest. Theirs would be, so to speak, a romance made in heaven.

©Derrick Phillips
October 1999