Chapter 20
The Last Piece of Rainbow
The Road Back
Paul was sitting on top of the Radiant Rainbow.
Far below were fields, roads and the village. The rainbow curved beneath him like a shining bridge, but both ends were fading.
He slid the crystal sphere inside the PoncoJacket and fastened it tightly.
The rainbow shortened.
“Think,” Paul told himself. “Every problem is an answer in disguise.”
He had no rope, no wings and no giant dragonfly.
He did have the little signal mirror in his trouser pocket.
In the distance came the thudding of rotor blades.
The airbase helicopter.
Paul took out the mirror and flashed it towards the aircraft. Once. Twice. Three times.
The helicopter continued past.
The rainbow shrank to half its length.
Paul opened his PoncoJacket. The band of colours caught the light and shone with the same rhythm as the sphere. He angled the mirror through the crystal.
Seven brilliant beams swept across the sky.
The helicopter turned.
Inside were two aircrew called Jim and Jam. Jim talked enough for both of them. Jam considered most conversation an unnecessary risk.
“There’s someone on that rainbow,” Jim said.
“Nope,” said Jam.
“A boy.”
“Nope.”
“Wearing a rainbow coat and holding a glowing football.”
Jam looked.
“Yep.”
They brought the helicopter close. The side door opened and Jim leaned out.
“Jump!”
The final piece of rainbow was no longer than a garden bench.
Paul’s courage failed.
Then he remembered Ponco Red charging ahead, Ponco Orange turning danger into play, Ponco Yellow believing in return, Larry protecting life, Ponco Blue imagining the future, Ponco Indigo beginning again and Ponco Violet steering towards the unknown.
Different strengths. One decision.
Paul jumped.
Jim caught his arms and pulled him inside as the last piece of Radiant Rainbow vanished.
“What were you doing up there?” Jim asked.
Paul looked down at the fields.
“It’s a very long story.”
“We’ve got fuel.” Jam tapped the dial. “Not that much.”