The Amazing Spencer Gray Read Online Free Page B

tell him all this, Spencer thought.
    He wanted to know everything about those instruments. There were so many things to understand, to know how to use.
    â€˜What’s that?’ he said, pointing to a yellow thing dangling from the console.
    â€˜That’s the bung. You pull it to release the tow cable, to make you independent of the tow plane once it’s pulled you up high enough. I used it earlier, to separate us from Reg’s plane.’
    Half an hour later, when Dad murmured lowering landing gear, Spencer felt a flood of adrenalin. He knew Dad knew what he was doing, but he wished Reg’s plane was still in front of them, towing them back down like he’d towed them up.
    â€˜Relax,’ said Dad. ‘You’re clenching. And gripping.’
    â€˜Are you really up for this, Dad?’
    â€˜Put your headphones back on now. It makes it easier to talk when I’m having to concentrate.’
    Spencer adjusted the mic. ‘Can you hear me?’
    â€˜Very well, mate. And you me?’
    Dad gently pitched the aircraft downward, pushing on the stick.
    â€˜I can hear you,’ Spencer squeaked. ‘Don’t worry about me, just ... focus on all that,’ he waved at the instruments.
    His dad pulled his sunnies down over his eyes as he turned into the sun. He pushed the glider into the wind. Months ago, when he’d described to Spencer how it felt to be up in the sky, Dad’d said he ‘went into himself’ up here, like he was entering another world. He said it must be a bit like how a yachtie feels out on the ocean. He told Spencer that over the years he’d learned how to read the currents of the air, the eddies of wind coming off the land. Dad reckoned he knew the Drifter like he knew an old friend. He loved that plane. He loved how it felt to be up in the sky, like flying with your lungs full of helium, almost as if your body itself was the plane, your arms the wings.
    â€˜We’ll be on the ground shortly, Spence,’ he said into his headset. ‘Thanks for coming up with me. Can’t imagine a better flight companion.’
    Spencer grinned at him. ‘Don’t lose it now, Dad. Get this thing back on the ground safe and sound, okay?’

9
    â€˜So, talk to me, Spence. You flew?’
    â€˜I flew. This arvo.’
    Leon breathed out heavily. ‘Details— now. And don’t hold back. I can take it.’
    Spencer tried, but there was no way to break it gently. ‘I wasn’t disappointed, put it that way.’
    â€˜No. How could you be.’ Leon punched the pillow and then pretended to give Spencer a left-right to the jaw before falling back on the bed.
    â€˜Did you get a turn on any of the controls—the throttle?’
    â€˜Nah—it doesn’t actually have a throttle, ’cos it doesn’t have an engine, don’t forget.’
    â€˜Yeah ... right. Of course.’
    â€˜Dinner!’ Mum called from the kitchen. ‘Go wash your hands, kids.’
    Spencer got up and pushed down his jeans so they covered his ankles. ‘Dad wants to take me over theStirling Ranges next time.’
    â€˜Next time? Is this gunna be a regular gig, is it? What: Stirling Ranges this week, the moon the next?’
    â€˜Boys, it’s gnocchi! It’s ready!’
    â€˜Man, you get well looked after in this house,’ Leon mumbled.
    â€˜Do you wanna stay for dinner, Leon? I’m sure Mum wouldn’t mind.’
    â€˜Nah, no thanks. I’ll reheat last night’s gruel, it’s okay.’
    As they walked to the front door, Spencer said, ‘Did you get the twin flick missiles on the Falcon done?’
    â€˜Yep. And the minifigs. Gotta get started on the interior now. It’s got a detachable cockpit cover. Come by before school tomorrow and we can work on it if you want.’
    â€˜Definitely,’ said Spencer. ‘I’ll see you at eight.’
    â€˜You should skate over. Good