“Run that past me one more time?  You mean – the world? Big and round?  Green and blue? Floats about in space? The one everbody lives on?”

    Sirocco sighed and gave Freddie a gentle prod between the shoulder blades. “ Very droll. Come on, let’s go. Time is wasting.”

    “Hold on. What are we saving it from exactly?” Freddie asked.  The old wind looked at him and let out a long, sorrowful, sigh.  “You already know the answer to that well enough. The menace we face is W-O-M-D.”

    Freddie knew the word.  He’d heard it a lot in the news over the past few years.

    “You mean ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’?”

    “No. Weather of Mass Destruction. Our enemy is not a person, but an element, like me, with a consciousness. A thoroughly evil consciousness.  His name is Maelstrom. That blasted hurricane you’ve been tracking is his closest ally. They are both Rogue Elements. Merciless killers, bent on evil, determined to make the Earth their own.”

     Freddie punched the air. “Yessss!  I just knew there was something not quite right about him.  His eye for one thing …”

    “You thought he could see out of it? You were correct. Actually he has 20/20 vision. Sharp as a radar. And am I right in thinking you haven’t been able to chart his movements, in your usual way?”

    “That’s right,” said Freddie, “I can’t understand it. It’s never happened before.  I thought maybe something was wrong with me.”

    “That perhaps your special power was running out?” asked Sirocco.

    “It passed through my mind.”

    “Don’t worry.  That can never happen. You’re a Weatherman for life,” Sirocco smiled. “It is in your blood. But let me explain about your hurricane. He’s not like any others you have encountered. Over the past few days, he’s been on reconnaissance, scouting out likely targets in America.  For protection, he concealed himself from your view. Your intuitive view, that is. All Rogue Elements have the power to shield themselves from the prying eyes of Weathermen. It’s an ability they’ve developed over time. On such missions, they shield themselves routinely, purely as a precaution. He didn’t actually know that you were watching him. Fortunately, he can’t hide from modern technology.”

    “No, thank goodness,” said Freddie. “I’ve been able to track him via satellite. But, this morning, he seems to have given me, and everyone else, the slip.”

     Sirocco nodded. “He’ll be back in Maelstrom’s lair by now. They’ll be finalising their strategy. The first attack may come at any time. That’s why we must act straightaway.” He looked at Freddie.  “You want to stop him, don’t you? You’ve been thinking about little else for the past few days.”

    “More than anything,” Freddie confirmed.

    “Then this is your opportunity.”

    But Freddie hesitated.
    
    “Is something wrong?” asked Sirocco.

    Freddie met Sirocco’s gaze.  “All of it.”

    “Sorry, I don’t follow you,” replied Sirocco.

    “Can we rewind for a moment?” said Freddie. “ Some of the stuff you just said:  You – wind.  Me – Weatherman. Planet – end of.  Maelstrom – Rogue Element.  Hurricane – alive . Freddie pointed to his head. “Brain – overload.”

    “Hmm, I see your point,” said Sirocco. “It is a lot to take in.”

    “Shall we start with me being a Weatherman?” Freddie asked. “How about the Beginner’s Guide?”

    “Okay. No problem.” Sirocco took a deep breath – and suddenly convulsed in a loud coughing fit. He shook so violently that Freddie was afraid he was going to collapse on the spot.

    “Hey, are you alright?”

    “It’s nothing. Just a cold,” wheezed Sirocco, catching his breath. “ We winds fly about in all sorts of terrible weather. Always picking up chills. I’m fine, really. Now, where was I?”

    “You were going to tell me all about Weathermen …”

    ” Yes. Once, there were many of your kind. They were regarded as prophets, able to see into the future. Remember, in olden times, there were no TV weather bulletins. People relied on Weathermen and their ability to predict the weather to warn them of storms and floods that might destroy their crops. Throughout history Weathermen have always helped mankind in this way.”

    “Wo! Wicked! ” exclaimed Freddie. “There are others like me? I’m not the only one?”

    “No, you’re not.  But, sadly, there are only two of you left now.”

    Freddie could hardly contain his excitement at the news. He wasn’t a one-off freak after all. “But this is amazing. I thought I was the only person in the world like me. Who is this other Weatherman? Can I meet him?”

    Sirocco shook his head. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t recommend that,” he replied.

     “But why not?” demanded Freddie.

    “Let me see. How can I put it?” replied Sirocco. “He’s a complete – what’s the expression?  – numpty.”

    “Oh.”

     “No, not like you at all. Throughout his life, he’s done nothing but use his abilities for his own selfish ends.”

    “But surely you can tell me something about him?” protested Freddie.

    “Afraid not. I dislike him, it’s true. But I’ve persuaded him to work undercover for us. He’s essential to the success of our plans. So his identity has to remain a secret, even from you. Perhaps you’ll meet him later. When our mission is complete. ”

    He swirled up closer to Freddie. “But Weatherman are normally quite nice. I’ve always got on with them.”

     “Something else you mentioned,” said Freddie. “ Being a Weatherman is in my blood?”

    “Yes. It does tend to run in the family.”

    This was a revelation. It confirmed what Freddie had always thought. That Lizzie did know more than she was letting on.
    
    “But if that’s true,” he said, “it means that my mother has always known that I’m a Weatherman?”

    Sirocco spun around and darted back across the kitchen. He made a show of peering under the work surface. “Nice tumble dryer,” he said. “ Is it one of those Zanussis?”

     “Don’t change the subject. I’d like to know, Sirocco.”

    Sirocco shrugged. “As far as I’m aware she’s just an Essex housewife. But there is something very special about her.”

    “What? Please – tell me.”

    “She looks like that pop star. What’s her name?  Kyline Vogue or something. ” He started humming to himself …  can’t get you out of my head … just can’t get you out of my head …  “ Catchy tune, that one,” he grinned, drifting back towards Freddie.

    Freddie sighed. Even winds liked Kylie. Unbelievable.
 
    “Listen,” said Sirocco, “I’ll fill you in on everything you want to know on our journey. Okay?”

    “Okay,” Freddie agreed.

    “So you’re with me?”

    Freddie stood up. “ Are you kidding,” he replied. I am a Weatherman.”

    Sirocco’s face glowed. He looked radiant – as if the sun was shining deep inside him.  His dino-tail twitched from its tip to its top just like a cat’s.

    “That’s the spirit!  You are in the great tradition of true Weathermen! It does my old heart good to hear you say that – not that I have one, physically speaking.”

     Shall we high-five on it?”  Freddie asked, raising his hand.

    “Ah, right,” said Sirocco. “Let’s see …” As Freddie watched, a little ripple ran down Sirocco’s side and the air formed a crude hand shape.

    Freddie reached out to clasp it, but his own hand passed straight through Sirocco's. It was a very weird sensation.

    “Sorry,” chuckled Sirocco. “We winds haven’t quite mastered the art of shaking hands, like you humans. Anyway, let’s get going, shall we? Get your stuff. Oh ... don't forget your deck.”
   
    "You know I'm a skater?" asked Freddie, surprised.

    “Yes, I've been following your progress. To be honest, your Ollies are rubbish."

    "Thanks."

    Sirocco zoomed down to where Freddie's skateboard stood propped against the wall.

    "This is very impressive,” he said, inspecting it. “Is it a special make?”
    
     “Yep. An Element. One of the best,” Freddie said, beaming with pride.

    “An appropriate name. A very good omen, I feel.  Bring it, please.”

    Freddie was curious. Why would he need his skateboard? But he supposed that he better do what Sirocco said. He heel-flipped the deck, caught it with one hand, tucked it under his arm.

     “And that too. Very important,” Sirocco added, looking at Freddie’s rucksack.

    Freddie grabbed it  –  “But why do I need ...” –

    “All will become clear!” said Sirocco. With a loud whoosh, he propelled himself through the kitchen door and into the hallway.

     “Hold on. Where are we going?” Freddie asked as he followed Sirocco to the front door.
    
    “Our destination is the Tower of the Winds,” Sirocco replied.  “ The base of our operations. It is in Athens. We shall be flying there, in case you’re wondering.”    
    
    “ The Tower of the Winds? Sounds pretty exciting,” Freddie said. “What time does our flight leave?’ He fished his mobile from his rucksack. “I can call us a cab. No problem.” He wondered how the airline would manage to carry out a security check on a wind. Can we do a body-search, sir? Oh, you don’t seem to have one …

    “We shan’t be needing an aircraft, “ said Sirocco. “I’m the wind, remember? I’m going to fly and you’re going to hang on to me. Won’t take long. I may be old, but I’m faster than Fed-Ex. Same-day Delivery Guaranteed,” he chortled.

     Freddie forced a smile. He hoped that Sirocco wouldn’t be telling bad wind gags all the way to Athens.

    “We’ll be travelling at a rate of approximately 250 miles per hour, ascending to 15,000 feet. Now you will know what it is like to be a leaf borne high in the air. Can you imagine how thrilling that will feel?”

    “250 miles per hour at that altitude? That packs quite a centrifugal punch. I’ll barely be able to breath,” said Freddie.

    “Don’t worry, although I move at great speed, I remain perfectly still at my centre.  It will be as comfortable as a first-class airline seat,” he said blowing open the front door. “But it will be pretty cold.”

    “Not a problem,” said Freddie and grabbed his lined Nike zip-up hoodie from the coat-rack. As he put it on and hitched his rucksack onto his back, he suddenly remembered Lizzie. What would he tell her?  Maybe he should leave her a note. Gone to get a kebab in, er, Greece … back later …  No, on second thoughts, probably better if he sent her a text. Tell her he’d be staying over at Cap’s.  

    He hurried through the front door and locked it behind him.

    Outside, Sirocco was busy gathering up his tail, pulling himself into a more streamlined shape. As Freddie watched, the old wind began to revolve faster and faster until he became a tall, snake-shaped column of rapidly moving air, stretching at least twenty feet into the air. Freddie craned his neck. He was going to ride inside that?

    He was beginning to have doubts about the whole thing – and then a little entrance popped open in Sirocco’s side.  

    He called to Freddie.  “Come on! Step into me. It’s quite safe. You won’t be blown away I promise!”

    Here goes nothing, Freddie said to himself, took a deep breath, shut his eyes and stepped forward.  

    He could feel the pressure of the swirling wind pressing against his body. His hair flew everywhere. His tie flapped around his face. His jacket billowed up like a balloon. Then, suddenly, everything around him was perfectly still. He opened his eyes. It was incredible. He was standing right in the middle of Sirocco.
He looked around as the little the entrance sealed itself up behind him. 

    Now, it was too late to go back ...

    Sirocco gave him a reassuring smile. “We’re about to take off. ”

    “No worries,” Freddie replied, though his stomach was churning.  

    Then, with only a slight jolt, his feet left the ground.

    The next thing he knew, he was accelerating upwards into the sky, as fast as a high-speed elevator. He gasped as he looked down and saw the ground rush away from him.  Below, the streets of Halstead and the surrounding countryside turned into a patchwork of bright colours, punctuated with toy-town buildings and roads like strands of thread.

    Instinctively, he reached out for something to hold onto.  But there was nothing.

    Except air.

    “Oooops!”

    “Lie back. Think of yourself as being one with me. You will not fall,” Sirocco reassured him.

    Inch by inch, Freddie leant back, and finally plucked up the courage to let himself go completely.  He sank into what felt like an extremely soft mattress.

    “Hey! This is easy!"

    “Welcome aboard, Weatherman,” Sirocco yelled. “Let us start our mission. We haven’t a moment to lose.”

    With that, Sirocco turned towards the east, and, with a deafening jet-like roar, zoomed off across the sky.

    In seconds, they’d left Essex far behind and were soaring high above the blustery North Sea.