[Author's note: I thought two chapters would be plenty of space to get me to the events of chapter 12, but turns out I was wrong! So there'll be chapter 11 part 1, 2, and maybe even 3, to fill in the gap]
Amy slid off me, and said, "To be honest, I feel pretty tired now too. I've lost track of what time it's supposed to be back home."
I grinned. "Don't worry about it," I replied, "we're nowhere near our final time zone so it doesn't really matter. I'll go and get some sleep myself."
I stood up, and Amy took my place lying beside Laura. I quickly dressed, and kissed each of them softly on the forehead. Then I left the girls' cabin, closing the door quietly behind me.
Pam was still asleep when I returned to our darkened cabin, and I reclined my own seat and lay down beside her.
The next thing I knew was an unobtrusive chime, and an announcement that the plane would be descending towards its destination in about an hour.
Pam stirred and opened her eyes. "Goodness," she said, "did I sleep all the way through?"
"More or less," I grinned. "I think the girls crashed out fairly early too."
She thought for a moment, and said, "You know, I'm starting to feel hungry. Is it breakfast time, or dinner, or lunch?"
"If you can hang on until we change planes, we'll get a meal," I replied. "I'll just pop next door to check that the girls are getting themselves together."
I went out into the corridor and gently tapped on the door of the next cabin. Amy opened it a few inches, and I was rewarded by a glimpse of her not quite successfully holding a shirt to her still-naked body in an attempt to cover herself.
"Tut, tut," I said, "what if I'd been the stewardess?"
"I'm sure they've seen worse," said Amy, her eyes twinkling. "Give us a few minutes and we'll be decent."
"OK," I said.
A short time later the plane started to descend, and I looked out with interest at the sand dunes and the sparkling blue water. We were soon on the ground, and the plane came to a halt at the gate.
The four of us left the plane, and found ourselves in the transit area. Glittering shops and small coffee bars and eating places occupied two levels, with a central atrium.
"We have about an hour before our next flight, so you've got time for a good look at everything," I said. "Pam, how about you go with the girls and look over that side – I'd like to look for something this side."
The three of them strolled off, Pam in the middle with the girls' arms through hers. I turned and set off towards my goal, a jeweller's with glass cases displaying his creations.
I browsed the cases, and found a couple of items that were almost what I was looking for. I considered for a while, then decided that they were worth getting, and I could have them altered to exactly what I wanted when we got home.
When I'd completed my transaction, I put the small package away in a safe place and made my way slowly back to the point where we'd started. After a few minutes, Pam reappeared with the girls. Each of them was carrying at least one bag.
"Did you find something nice?" I asked, looking at the bags.
"You'll have to wait," said Pam. "The girls have got you a surprise."
I smiled, reflecting that I'd had some very pleasant surprises already.
"Fair enough," I said. "I might just have one or two things tucked away myself."
I glanced across at the flight information screen, and said, "OK, time to go." I led the way towards another gate, and again we sat down to wait for our call. Laura looked up at the display over the gate.
"Hmm, Delhi this time," she said.
"Still just a stopoff," I grinned.
Again first class was called, and we began to board.
"I'm afraid this flight won't be quite as luxurious as the last one," I said. "Just the usual separate cabin for first class, more space roomier seats. But the service will still be special."
We found our seats. "They turn round," I explained, "so we can all sit at the table to eat."
We strapped in, and soon the plane was airborne. After we levelled out, we rearranged the seats, and the steward approached with the wine list. I selected a bottle, and he returned after a short while and pulled the cork at our table. I sampled the wine he splashed in my glass and nodded.
We made our choices from the menu, and were soon enjoying our food.
"Gosh, I was ready for that," said Amy. "Hungry work, flying."
We looked out of the window, and soon spotted the plains of northern India, the Ganges a broad, meandering stripe.
"Anyone need a nap?" I asked.
"Maybe," yawned Laura. We turned our seats back round, and I leafed through a magazine while the others closed their eyes.
The plane started to descend, and we looked out of the windows and pointed. "Look, there's the Red Fort," said Pam.
We soon landed, and instead of a gate, we disembarked directly onto the ground down metal steps. As soon as we left the plane, the heat hit us. Amy turned her face towards the sun and said, "Mmm, this is more like it. Bet it's raining back home."
I looked across the tarmac and saw what I'd expected – a dark limousine approaching. The car stopped, and a uniformed driver got out.
"Come on," I said. "Here's our lift."
We got into the car and the driver closed the doors, turning the air conditioning up.
Pam glanced across at me. "Let me guess, you called in a favour?"
I grinned. "Someone at the Delhi office used to work for me. I helped him get a promotion and this assignment, so he made a few arrangements, shall we say."
After a short drive past planes of various sizes and liveries, we reached an area with a sign indicating it was the area of the airport used by private and corporate jets. We stopped by a Learjet, and the driver opened the doors for us. A woman in a pilot's uniform appeared at the top of the steps to the plane, and came down to meet us.
"Good to see you, Mr Smith," she said. "I'm Captain Sarah Fox, I work for the company. I take it this is your family."
A warm feeling filled my heart as I nodded.
"Well, let's get you settled in, shall we?"
She led the way up the steps, and we were soon sitting comfortably in the luxurious cabin. Captain Fox went forward, and her voice came over the loudspeakers.
"We have clearance to take off," she said, "so please strap in and remain seated until we're airborne. Once we're on course I'll hand over to the co-pilot and come and join you."
The plane was swiftly in the air, and Captain Fox reappeared and took a seat.
She looked to me. "I gather this was a surprise, so the rest of the family don't know where we're heading?"
I nodded.
"Well, I won't spoil it, but you're definitely in for a treat," she said.
"How long have you been flying in this part of the world, Captain Fox?" asked Amy.