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pressing buttons. Lights flickered on and off as the helicopter roared to life.
    I was both exhilarated and nervous when the chopper lifted off into the air. I peered out over the town as we ascended into the clouds. Everything looked so small and fake, like a miniature replica of the land was sitting below us. I started to relax. “This is great,” I said.
    “Yeah, flying can be fun, but it can also be scary,” the pilot said. Just then, the helicopter fell quickly, startling me. “See, like that,” he laughed.
    I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t stop a chuckle from escaping. “Let’s not do that again,” I urged him.
    Adam smiled and pulled out his camera. He attached the lens, and then held it up to show me. “Here, take a look through the telephoto lens,” he said.
    I took the camera gently and held it firmly, and then aimed it at the paddocks below. The view was spectacular. I could see sheep close up, and even details on cars. “Wow, this is neat,” I said, handing the camera back to Adam.
    “Yep, but let’s hope we can get some nice pictures with it. Useful ones would be great,” he added.
    The helicopter zipped off in the direction of the convent, and as we approached, I looked out over the long road leading to it.
    “We’re almost there,” Adam said, nudging me and nodding to the convent in the distance.
    The helicopter dipped again, steadying itself just above the tree-line that dotted the long road. “If you’re trying for photographs of the convent, it’s probably best we stay low,” the pilot explained.
    “Thanks,” Adam said.
    I glanced out at the convent, which was now getting very close. I could finally see over the walls. As the helicopter flew over the walled enclosure, I saw movement below. Was that the nuns? I saw several of them huddled together, but they must have heard the helicopter, because without warning, they all scattered into the convent like ants trying to escape burning rays from a magnifying glass.
    “Oh no,” Adam said.
    “What’s wrong?” the pilot asked.
    “Oh, nothing. I was just hoping to get some of the residents in a few of my photographs,” he replied.
    “Ah, well I wasn’t even aware that the convent was inhabited. I guess that we learn something every day.” The pilot circled the convent several times, offering Adam chances to get his pictures, but I already knew it was pointless. We had come all this way for nothing. Well, for my part, I was enjoying sitting close to Adam, our knees and shoulders touching. I was in no hurry for this ride to come to an end.
    I sighed. I had known it was going to be a long shot, but I’m always the optimist. “What now?” I asked Adam, who was now disassembling his camera and lens and putting them back into his bag.
    “Not really sure, but we’ll think of something. The least we can do is enjoy this flight until it’s over, though,” he said in defeat. “I got a few nice pictures, but I don’t see them being the smoking gun we were looking for.”
    I frowned. “There’s always next time,” I said.
    Adam nodded and smiled.
    “How about those cliffs?” interrupted the pilot. “I’m sorry you didn’t get the shots you wanted, but hopefully you got a few decent ones of the convent’s structure for your book.”
    “Oh, I think that’s safe enough to say,” Adam said. “But we’d like to just head back whenever you’re ready. We can save the cliff country for next time.” The pilot looked back and nodded.
    The helicopter zoomed off at full speed toward the airport. I took one last glance at the town as it passed by underneath. “I wish we could stop them,” I said, looking across at Adam.
     
     

Chapter 7 .
    “Rose, you’re killing me!” Gemma gave a dramatic groan through the phone. “Killing me! I’m going to lay right here on the couch and croak — you’re too much.”
    I listened to Gemma as she continued to lament her own passing, complete with a rather strange funeral arrangement.