by Wood, J N
Roy and I shared a quick glance. ‘Don’t know,’ I told her. ‘About ten grand.’
Better save a little bit of money for us, just in case. That should leave us with at least a thousand dollars.
‘Okay,’ Elena said. ‘Give it to me. That will be more than enough.’
I hesitated with my hand in the bag for a few seconds. It’s a lot of money to hand over to someone who is gonna just disappear into the night. I turned to Roy. He didn’t look concerned in the slightest.
Fuck it.
I emptied my socks, some of which I’d worn during the journey here, and handed her the bundles of cash. I didn’t bother to count them, leaving two rolls in my bag.
‘How did you get all this money?’ Elena asked as she stuffed it into her bag.
‘I’ll tell you later,’ I said. ‘I need to tell you the full story.’
With a little nod of her head, she said, ‘Okay. I shall see you all soon.’
As we watched her walking away, Roy seemed to be watching certain parts of her more intently than others. I wondered if it’d been long enough since the death of his wife for me to take the piss out of him.
I’ll leave it a little bit longer, just in case. It’s only been weeks after all.
‘Seriously,’ Roy said, managing to drag his eyes away from Elena. ‘What do we do for eight hours? Or however long it takes for her to call us.’
‘If she does call us,’ I said. ‘I just gave her all our money.’
‘She will call for us,’ Benoit said. ‘Do not worry about that.’
‘Shall we find a motel that takes cash,’ I suggested. ‘And doesn’t ask for any ID. I think I kept a thousand dollars.’
‘This is a long way from Kamloops,’ Aurelie said. ‘We do not know what it will be like here. I do not think searching for the correct motel is worth the risk.’
‘Find a space to wait here then,’ Benoit said.
Scarface had dropped us off on the side of a wide gravel road, surrounded by warehouses. I noticed Elena, just as she vanished behind a building at the end of the road, her yellow coat visible in the darkness.
‘Have you picked out a spot,’ Roy asked. ‘There are some bins over there. It looks quite nice.’
‘Yes,’ Benoit replied. ‘That looks fine.’
‘I was joking,’ Roy told him.
‘No,’ Aurelie sighed. ‘That will do for now.’
The Frenchies started walking towards the three big dumpsters that ran alongside the side of the closest warehouse.
‘Are we really going to hide behind the bins?’ Roy asked me. ‘Like homeless people.’
‘Looks like it, and we are kind of homeless.’ I turned back to him and waved for him to follow. ‘Come on Royston.’
Benoit was pulling one of the dumpsters away from the wall when we caught them up. The vision of Jack in his blue dumpster, smashing through that wooden fence and rolling away flashed through my mind.
‘Did Jack tell you about the dumpster issue we had in Nevada?’ I asked Roy.
‘He told me about you dropping him in a bin, and then the zombies rolling him away.’
‘Yeah that’s the one.’
We made ourselves comfortable, which in reality meant not comfortable at all, and waited for Elena’s call.
Chapter 14: Coffee Drinkers
I could hear an incredibly loud noise, like an ambulance siren.
‘Chris,’ someone shouted. ‘Chris, wake up. The phone.’
Fuck.
I forced my eyes open and lifted my face up from my knees. Hands were fumbling at my pockets.
It’s still dark.
‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m awake. I’ll answer it.’ I got to my feet so I could pull the phone out.
I definitely need to change that horrible ringtone.
Elena’s name was lit up on the phone. I swiped the screen and mumbled, ‘Hello.’
‘Chris,’ Elena said. ‘Is that you?’
‘Yep it’s me.’ I looked up to find three expectant faces staring back at me.
‘I’ve found Javier,’ she said. ‘He’s got the money and is buying supplies. I will text you the address. You need to meet me here as soon as possible.’
‘Okay, thanks Elena. See you soon.’
I hung up the phone and waited for the text. For some strange reason, I was more nervous about her betraying us now than before the phone call.
‘Where are they getting supplies from?’ I paused to check the time on the phone. ‘At six in the morning?’
‘No idea,’ Roy replied.
Minutes passed with no text.
‘Come on Elena,’ I said to the phone. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Maybe we should call her back,’ Roy suggested.
The phone beeped and vibrated in my hand. Elena’s text flashed up with an address. ‘Thank fuck for that.’ I copied and pasted it into the map app. ‘Thirty three minute walk,’ I told them.
Twenty minutes later and we were at the address, looking out over the river. The sun had been rising as we walked. Not many vehicles had passed us, only a few delivery vans.
‘There she is,’ Roy said, pointing further up the street. She spotted us and started jogging.
Roy looked on in awe.
When we met, she pointed behind us and said, ‘Other way guys. We need to cross the bridge. There is a marina on an island in the middle of the river.’
‘How far away is it?’ Roy asked.
‘Thirty minutes,’ she replied, sounding slightly out of breath. ‘Javier did not want us to meet at the boat. He is very nervous about being caught. He is the only one of us allowed in Canada.’
As we walked down towards the river, a lot more vehicles rolled across the bridge above us, making me wonder if there was some kind of curfew in effect.
‘Is everything ready,’ Aurelie asked. ‘Has Javier got everything he needs?’
‘Hopefully,’ Elena replied, sounding a little bit desperate.
‘He definitely knows he’s got another two passengers?’ I asked.
‘Crew members,’ Elena corrected. ‘Not passengers. And yes of course. I gave him your money. He was very happy for both, the help and the money.’
We crossed the now busy bridge, all kinds of different vehicles hurtling past us at speed.
Once the bridge was behind us and the marina was in sight, Elena slowed down, making us all slow with her. ‘Just act like a local,’ she told us. ‘We are just five people going to our yacht.’
‘How do the locals act?’ I asked, suddenly more aware of my body’s movements.
‘Just act casual,’ she replied. ‘Don’t look like an illegal immigrant trying to steal a boat.’
‘Are we stealing a boat?’ Roy asked her.
‘No this is Javier’s boat. I just mean…’ She paused for a second, before saying, ‘Do not look suspicious.’
‘I’ll try not to,’ I told her.
The marina was enclosed by a metal fence. Elena took us to the nearest gate and punched in the code. The door made a clicking noise and she opened it up.
At the end of the jetty closest to us, a man stepped out and waved. ‘Elena,’ he called out, and then shouted something to her in Spanish.
Elena stepped towards a pile of boxes and bags. ‘These are ours guys. Come and help.’
I stacked three boxes and heaved them up, instantly regretting not leaving it at two. We left a couple of bags and waddled across the wooden boards of the jetty.
‘Hola mis amigos,’ the man, I’m assuming Javier, called out to us as we neared. He jumped from the side of the bat onto the jetty, patting us all on our shoulders as he walked past, a big grin, similar to Elena’s smile, spread across his face. ‘I will get the rest. Please put everything down in the main cabin. Elena will show you where.’
‘This way guys,’ Elena said. ‘That is my brother Javier.’
We followed her over an incredibly small plank of wood to the deck of the boat. The Bavaria 47 was actually big
ger than I thought it would be. I’d be much more comfortable it was the size of a cruise liner, but this will do. Shallow steps led down into the cabin of the boat.
‘Careful when carrying things,’ Elena told us. ‘The steps can be slippy when wet.’
‘Once you are down there,’ Javier said from behind us. ‘Do not come back out. Just to be safe.’
I followed everyone down.
‘Welcome aboard the Penelope Cruz,’ Javier announced as he walked down the stairs.
I spun around, looking for somewhere to drop the boxes.
‘Just there is fine,’ Javier told me. ‘We can get everything secured once we’re underway.’
With all six of us down here, and all the boxes and bags we’d brought down, combined with the boxes that were already here, it was a bit cramped. I could stand up straight but Roy's head was bent over slightly.
‘Javier,’ Elena said, and pointed to us in turn. ‘This is Benoit, Aurelie, Chris and Roy.’
Javier placed the two carrier bags onto the dining table. ‘Hola everyone. Nice to meet you all.’
We all returned his greeting.
‘So,’ Javier said. ‘I have decided on beds for you. He pointed to the front of the boat. ‘Benoit and Aurelie in the double at the bow. Chris, your cabin is next door on the port side.’
‘On the left,’ Roy told me.
‘Ah yes Roy,’ Javier exclaimed. ‘Elena said you were a sailor.’
Roy waved both his hands in front of him. ‘I’m not a sailor. I was in the Sea Cadets years ago.’
‘That makes you a sailor,’ Javier beamed. ‘You will be sleeping next to Elena and me.’
Roy looked startled as his eyes rapidly switched between Javier and Elena. ‘Sorry, can you say that again. I didn’t quite catch it.’
Javier pointed to the back of the boat. ‘In the twin cabin next to mine and Elena’s. In the aft.’
Roy’s eyes shrunk back down to their normal size when he realised there were two cabins back there. ‘Oh okay. Thank you, that’s great.’
‘Make yourselves at home,’ Javier told us. ‘It will be your home for at least three weeks.’
My heart felt like it dropped into my belly. I knew it would take a while but I’d hoped for a week maybe, two at the most. And at least three weeks sounds ominous. That probably means four weeks.
‘It will take at least five days before we are on the ocean,’ Javier added.
Five days just to get to the ocean? Fuck’s sake. This country is too fucking big.
‘We’ll soon be there Chris,’ Roy told me, my face obviously giving away what I was thinking again.
‘So it's best only me and Elena go up to the cockpit in that time,’ Javier continued. ‘That way we hopefully avoid the authorities trying to capture you. Really it would be best for Elena to stay down here as well, but I need to sleep.’
‘You are the captain,’ Benoit said. ‘It is your boat, so your rules.’
I jumped slightly when Javier loudly clapped his hands together. ‘Excelente! Now we can set sail. Elena will tell you where everything goes.’ He turned to me and Roy. ‘I even bought you some English tea.’ With that he turned and climbed up the stairs.
I think Javier is gonna irritate me.
I puffed out my cheeks and dropped my backpack to the floor. The provisions our stolen cash had afforded us were scattered around the main cabin, covering almost every surface. I suppose there should be a lot to feed six people for three weeks. Hopefully there’s enough if we get lost.
‘I’m more of a coffee drinker,’ Roy said to me.
‘Yeah me too,’ I agreed.
‘Don’t worry,’ Aurelie said. ‘I can drink ten cups of tea a day.’
‘I’ll drink it,’ Roy said, staring apologetically at Elena. ‘I just prefer coffee.’
I looked between Roy and Elena, her smiling at him while he awkwardly stared back. I patted him on the back. ‘I don’t think it’s a massive issue Roy.’ I picked up a can of something from one of the boxes. ‘Where are the canned goods going Elena?’
She opened one of the kitchen cupboards. ‘In here.’
We could hear Javier above us as we emptied everything and put it into cupboards, or under seating, or behind wall panels. Everything had to be secured, as Javier put it.
It was maybe fifteen minutes until he turned the engine on and we started to move, gently swaying from side to side as well as from front to back.
This is gonna be bad. I feel sick already.
Roy was looking at me. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘You’ll get used to the constant motion.’
‘I’m gonna have to,’ I told him. ‘Not much choice.’
‘You’ll soon have your sea legs,’ Elena said.
‘He won’t be using the engine the whole way will he?’ I asked her.
‘No, we do not have the fuel to do that. He’s just using it to get us started.’
Once everything was put away, Elena went up the stairs and Benoit turned the kettle on. Me, Roy and Aurelie slumped down onto the seats surrounding the dining table.
‘Do you think they’d mind if I went to sleep?’ I asked. ‘I’m knackered.’
‘Me too,’ Aurelie agreed. ‘But let’s wait for one of them to come back down. They may need some help with something.’
We placed our drink orders with Benoit and waited. Elena returned a few minutes later.
‘I am so tired,’ she said. ‘I need to sleep. What are you all doing still awake? Go and get some sleep. Javier is okay up there for a few hours. The wind is not strong so he will use the engine for a while longer.’
‘Thank God for that,’ I said. ‘I’m going to bed.’ I shimmied along the white seat and stood up. After remembering where my cabin was situated, I picked up my bag and headed towards it.
Behind me I heard the Frenchies and Roy all agree they would do the same.
I opened the door to my cabin. It was small, but there was a bed, so I didn’t care one little bit.
Chapter 15: Lady Elena
I woke up to find the boat still swaying.
I’m really not gonna enjoy this trip.
I rolled out of bed straight into the door of the cabin. Having a private room to sleep in is still in the luxury stage. I wonder how long it will take before I’m sick of the small space.
Roy and Javier sat around the dining table in the living area.
I’m sure I’ll figure out the correct names for everything at some point.
‘Christophe,’ Javier announced, springing to his feet. ‘Let me make you a cup of tea.’
Roy raised his cup to me, a mock smile on his face.
‘Thanks Javier,’ I said, and sat down next to Roy.
‘Javier was just telling me about everything he bought for the journey,’ Roy told me.
‘Yes, so,’ Javier said from the kitchen, which was only two feet from the dining table. ‘I got fruits, vegetables and frozen meats. There is chicken, bacon, beef and pork.’ He was counting the meats off with his fingers. ‘And then we’ve got chocolate, nuts, chips. Sorry, crisps. I have been living here for too long.’ He walked over and placed my tea down in front of me.
‘Thanks mate,’ I said.
The Spaniard sat down opposite us. ‘It’s my pleasure. The Penelope is equipped with auto-pilot, a water maker, generator and solar panels.’ He was pointing to different spots around us. We both tried, unsuccessfully, to find what he was directing us to. ‘There was about three hundred litres of diesel,’ he added. ‘But we’ve used a little of that. We still have enough mind you, so we’re energy sufficient for over a month. We’ve got heating and hot water. Everything we need. If the weather can stay on our side it should be plain sailing.’
‘Your English is perfect,’ I complimented.
‘Thank you Christophe. I could already speak it well before in Spain. I did a lot of yacht charter vacations in the Mediterranean for mostly English speakers. Living in Canada fine-tuned it.’
‘Y
ou didn’t mention any alcohol in that shopping list,’ I noted.
Javier laughed. ‘My sister is with us. Of course I got alcohol. She would make me swim alongside the Penelope if I had not.’
‘Why the Penelope Cruz?’ Roy asked him.
‘This yacht is beautiful. Need I say more?’
‘Don’t suppose you have a washing machine do you?’ I asked him.
‘No,’ he replied. ‘That is all done by hand.’
‘That’s okay. I can manage that. I don’t have many clothes so I might be doing it quite regularly.’
‘That’s another thing that Javier did for us,’ Roy said, twisting around and picking up two bulging plastic bags from behind him. ‘Elena asked him to buy some clothes for us.’
‘You gave us more than enough money,’ Javier said. ‘I had already bought the diesel so it was just for the food. I also have what is left of your money so I will give that back to you.’
I pulled out a t-shirt from one of the bags. Plain black, perfect.
‘That’s brilliant,’ I said. ‘Thanks very much.’
‘Javier and Elena are going to collect their family and sail back to Canada,’ Roy told me.
I nodded, pulling out a pair of pants. ‘Oh right. Good idea. We don’t know what it’s like in Europe.’
‘Yeah so maybe we should…’ Roy paused and nodded over to Javier. ‘You know,’ he added.
‘Oh right. Yes of course, the money. You keep the money Javier.’ I looked to Roy. ‘That is what you’re on about isn’t it?’
‘Yeah obviously.’
‘There’s another thousand we can give you as well,’ I told Javier. ‘We’ll have no need for Canadian money. Who knows if the post office or wherever is open to change it for us. If you’re going back then it makes sense.’
‘That is very kind of you,’ Javier said. ‘But wait until we get to Spain to decide. I still hope it is okay there.’
‘Okay fair enough,’ Roy said. ‘But we’re giving it to you either way.’
Javier flashed us a smile and stood up. ‘We’ll see. Now I will see how my sister is doing.’ He nimbly climbed up the stairs.