#volldepp

In September [1980], Maurice became the first - and to date only - traveller to be put off a Concorde flight. After the rigorous "drying-out" programme at Pinecrest Hospital, and commenting, "The strongest drink I touch now is a Pepsi, but I guess I'll probably have that image of being a lush for quite some time", he had fallen back off the wagon. Arriving at Heatthrow Airport over on hour and a half before the flight was due to depart, he waited in the Concorde departure lounge, where free food and drink are served. Yvonne, upset and afraid that he was in no fit condition for the journey, tried to curtail his drinking but eventually gave up the battle.  Taking the children with her, she returned to the couple's Surrey home. Maurice boarded the plane, bound from Heatthrow to Washington DC, without her. The supersonic aircraft was ready for take-off, when the captain, judging Maurice "unsuitable for travel", radioed for steps to be brought to the jet. He was carried off the plane and escorted back to the departure lounge.