The West Winford Incident Read Online Free Page B

there was a loud bang. We all jumped. From where I was sitting I saw a great gush of steam from near the top of the first low pressure cylinder and lagging flew off the steam pipes. A few seconds later there was an almighty explosion and flames shot up further along the machine. I joined the others in a rush to the control area away from the turbine. We were all shocked. It will be a while before some of them get back to work, I can tell you.”
    *
    It had been a timely break. They had needed it. Short but sweet. After the past three months of helter-skelter, Sue with all the hard work around the house and he getting into the job; yes, just what they needed. No phones, no papers, no TV. A second honeymoon.
    He slowed as he approached the main gate. The gatekeeper waved him through. Something seemed strange. The lab car park was half empty. Dave entered the building. The first couple of labs were deserted. His office was next on the left. Hmm! Quite a pile in the in-tray – the downside of taking a break — then he saw the note on his desk:
    â€˜Take care of the shop – be in touch later. Tony.’
    Tony – Dave’s Section Head. How odd. Dave went out to explore the rest of the building. Not a soul about. At the end of the corridor was the rig hall where some of the big experiments were running. When he opened the door he found the reassuring hum of the operating rigs welcome. Even more welcome was the sight of Gritty and Geoff working on one of the fatigue testing machines.
    â€œWhere is everybody?” called Dave, raising his voice over the noise of the machines.
    â€œBe with you in a mo,” mouthed Gritty.
    Dave returned to his office and was shortly joined by Gritty, who sat on the corner of the desk.
    â€œThey’ll be glad to know you’re back,” he greeted. “Good break?”
    â€œFine thanks. Nice of you all to go to so much trouble to welcome me back here.”
    â€œNothing personal,” grinned Gritty, “just this West Winford incident, you know.”
    â€œWhat’s that all about?”
    â€œCome on Dave, don’t say you’re the only person in the civilised world that missed all the fuss? Even made the national press.”
    â€œNot a word. We’ve deliberately stayed out of touch during our break. It was such a pleasant change, not even TV.”
    â€œWell, to each his own. I can’t imagine my Mary missing a single episode of her Coronation Street, not if we were in Timbuktu. Anyway, I better fill you in. Tony will be back later. He and Sweety are up at HQ this morning with some of the big-wigs, trying to sort out a Technical Investigation Committee and get the first meetings organised.”
    Sweety was the nickname for the Head of Scientific Services, Dr Alan Honey.
    â€œThe bare fact is that Number 2 turbine exploded during an overspeed test at West Winford. Went through the roof, some of the pieces apparently,” added Gritty with relish.
    â€œAnyone hurt?”
    â€œYes, sadly, one fatality and a couple of chaps with comparatively minor injuries.”
    â€œSo Tony will provide the details later?”
    â€œRight. I think he’s going to ask you to look after our routine work here whilst everyone else is down on the Winford site. Could take months by the sound of it.”
    â€œSurely not everyone will be needed?”
    â€œAlmost. There’s so much to do. They’ve already seconded people from other departments and got in quite a few on contract; photographers, engineers, non-destructive testers and so on. Mind you, from what I hear it’s a tad late for non-destructive tests, apparently the place is like a bombed site. Anyway, best get on, I’ll speak to you later.” Gritty returned to the rig hall.
    Dave realised that there would be a lot of stuff to be dealt with, even if he only did the absolute minimum to keep things ticking over. He was annoyed, as this would delay getting his own