by DB Daglish
“And Storm is ok with it?”
“Yes, of course she is, she knows it’s just a short time. Besides…Hey, why are you looking at me like that?”
Nick ran his hand through his thick hair as he frowned.
“You know I wanted to go, because I have no one to miss me since Ria drowned.”
“Yeah, that was a hard time my friend. But look, it’s all planned, Storm is ok with it, and we only have…”
He stopped as he saw Nick shake his head.
“What?’’
“Storm is ok with it?”
“Yes,” Andy said defiantly. “Why are you questioning me this way?”
“I talked to her today, you know we both get on well. Look - she admitted something to me she has not told you and pleaded with me not to say anything. But…honestly…I’m going to be selfish about it.”
“What are you talking about Nick?”
“She doesn’t really want you to go.”
“Yes she does!”
Nick leaned forward and looked Andy directly in the eyes. His look was extremely serious.
“No she doesn’t!”
Andy was aback. If this was true it would explain a few things the last few days.
“Ah ok. What exactly did she say?”
“It was along the lines that she doesn’t want to stop you take an adventure because she knows who you are and what makes you tick. You have kids, like some of those that are going away too, but she really fears for you. She talked to Ricki as well, and he agrees with her.”
“What - that it’s risky?”
“No,” Nick replied. “That if there is a fear, she should open up to you about it. You wouldn’t go if you knew how she felt.”
“Darn right.”
“Which is why she’s kept it inside. Because she loves you mate, and love makes certain sacrifices!”
“Ohhh. Well delivered Nick. You think I should make the sacrifice and stay so you can go - which is what you wanted anyway!”
“I can’t deny that because I do. But I only tell you because Storm is hiding her true feelings. Keep her happy mate. You have kids and all.”
“So do you!”
“Yeah but Laz and Kaz are more part of Rangi and Cassie’s family now. They are well taken care of. Look – do this for me as a friend, but more importantly do this for Storm. If something happened to you and I never mentioned this, I’d feel guilty the rest of my life!”
“Ok, I’ll think about it. No promises though. You pack a bag tonight and I’ll let you know tomorrow at breakfast. Now I need some sleep, if that is possible after that. Thanks Nick,” and he extended his hand to the stocky bloke. Nick had been at New Haven ever since the big earthquake of ten years previous. Seven had come over to join them, and they had stayed ever since.
Morning arrived to another calm and sunny day. Hardly ideal sailing conditions, but no one was under illusions about the fact the winds were always present in the straight. But here in the shelter of the sounds, the conditions were ideal. Breakfast was an unnecessarily rushed affair. It seemed that everyone was anxious to get started, or to see them off, and all for the same reason. By the first half of the morning almost everybody was walking toward the yachts, gear and bags being carried by those staying behind as if in respect for those that were not.
They all assembled at the dock where the shore crew had prepared everything necessary for the expedition. Now the skippers of each yacht were going over the manifest and double checking all the stores were there. Amy, an ex-army girl, inspected every inch of the vessels for signs of wear. She pulled and touched everything shaking, rattling and ensuring every bolt, rope and latch worked perfectly. It was like watching an army major at work!
“You finished Sgt Major?” joked Andy.
“I’ll finish when I’m good and ready?” she countered sternly. “You are my family and I want you all safe.”
And for another ten minutes she continued with the last vessel - the Zingari, before stepping onto the wharf and declaring her job was done.
As people began to move their personal belongings aboard their respective yachts, Michael spoke up.
“Ok – hold it!”
A few of the children continued to talk seemingly unaware the adults had gone quiet.
“Hey!” yelled Ricki to which silence was immediately effected.
Michael now walked toward the Hope, a smaller yacht that was to hold five crew. “Right - Ho, Tia, Fin, Dee and Donny, can you guys please come here?”
They obediently stepped forward.
“Drop your gear here!” and he pointed to his feet. As they did, he tossed their packs one by one onto the yacht.
“What are you doing? I’m going on the Southern Spirit,” Dee insisted, with some confusion in her tone.
“Not anymore. All of you will have your own vessel. Harry arranged it yesterday.”
They quickly turned to Harry offering a nod or thumbs up, except Donny who quickly embraced Harry.
“Thanks man. We can do this!” he said laughing as he hugged him. One thing there was no lack of in this new world, was the ability to show genuine emotion and it be ok to do so.
“I know. But it wasn’t my idea. It was Don’s,” and Harry pointed to him as he leaned against the bollard.
“Thanks Don,” he offered.
“No problem mate. We will be all sailing together; we can swap crew if we need to. I just thought a chance for you young ones to bond would be a good idea.”
“Oh, one more thing, we haven’t selected a skipper for you yet,” Michael stated.
Every finger of the new Hope crew pointed toward Tia. She was the youngest, but by far the best sailor. Even those from north and south of New Haven knew that. No more was said – nothing needed to be.
Andy was the last to move and Storm turned to kiss him; passionately enough to get several whistles from those around.
“You take care Honey. I will miss you!” and her hand caressed his cheek
“No you won’t!”
“Yes I will. Please don’t tease my emotions at this time, I’m finding it hard enough to let you go and I should have told you that earlier.”
“Which is why I’m not going!”
“Don’t be stupid. Of course you are going!”
“No Storm. I’d be stupid to leave you at all.”
“But they need six for that yacht. There’s no time to…” but Andy placed a finger on her lips and he motioned someone forward.
“Take care mate,” he begged of Nick, who smiled, threw his bag over his shoulder and walked past, slapping Andy on the back as he did so.
“Why is he ready? Did you two decide this or something?” Storm asked.
“No, I asked him to prepare a bag. But I only decided this morning over breakfast. Nick told me about your discussion.”
“Damn you Nick Thornton! You come back here this instant!” she yelled.
Everyone suddenly stopped in their tracks. Few had any idea what was even transpiring among all the confusion of loading and final greetings. Nick nervously walked back and stopped in front of her, dropping his bag to the ground. Her eyes held some anger but it was all an act, as she threw her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“It’s all good Storm. I wanted to go anyway,” he said with some relief that she was pleased.
Harry was now watching. At first he was confused, but finally it all fell into place and he motioned Nick over.
“Ok. I see what’s going on. Now get on the Zingari before we have to explain to everyone what all this means.”
Within an hour everybody was ready. Fallon had to wait for an awkward two hours until the breeze picked up, and when it did it was very gentle. A quick discussion ensued and they decided they would aim for the Chetwood Islands as it would probably take many hours to get there with such a light breeze anyway. These islands were in the lee of the stronger winds of the straight. They could launch dire
ctly into the Tasman Sea from there at first light the next morning. So with a now subdued fanfare, they began their slow departure along with the training yacht full of young ones, and a few smaller craft to guide them to Cape Jackson. At around 3pm they were bade farewell and the adventurers sailed of west and the community sailed back, only arriving just as darkness fell.
In the lee of the islands four yachts now lay anchored. All were happy but a little apprehensive; not for the ocean, for they were all confident of their abilities, but for what they might find. Would there be many or few alive; and would they be friendly? On Chris’s flight many years before, Melbourne had been a mess and wild groups seemed to roam everywhere. But Sydney, their goal this time, held a much more organized population at Manly. Chris remembered they had been up at the old seminary buildings on the hill overlooking both the sea and harbor. It was a huge gothic style building with plenty of room, but hard to heat in winter yet nice and cool in summer; as when Chris was last there. But that was now some fifteen years ago. The expedition really had no idea of what they were sailing into.
Moored alongside the Southern Spirit, was the Taranaki. They had all retired early, yet Ricki rowed a dingy across to the Zingari. He was on deck with Ryan, Chris, Lenny and Nick, whispering so as not to wake the others.
“Ok, so that explains it. You did a good thing back there. I talked to Storm and when someone fears something you either have to face it or run from it. I’m not sure either is better than the other, and I also suspect we might not be safe on this journey but I cannot fathom it yet.
“Storms?”
Nah, not the ocean; we have good boats and excellent crews. I just don’t know what gnaws at me. You all know from experience I’m usually right. But to stay may not save us from it either. We just make the best of what we find. Maybe this time I will be wrong, and to be honest - it’s not a strong feeling like the gun battle when Lenny arrived. Sorry to bring that up mate but you know the story.”
Lenny nodded. It was Ricki’s intuition that had saved the New Haven population from a possible slaughter at the hands of Frigo many years before. They all went silent for a while as they considered his words.
“Nah,” he mumbled eventually. “It may be nothing. Let’s just enjoy it. But if something strong comes up, I’ll let you know about it,” he insisted in a normal voice as he quickly he jumped into the dingy and quietly rowed back across the calm water in the moonlight. The stark white hull of the Southern Spirit glowed brightly and a lone figure stood on deck. He could see by her form it was Karen. They too had left their children behind, all in capable hands, but he missed them already.
But as he rowed, he was not feeling at all peaceful about the future and he did not sleep very well that night.
Chapter 2
Tuesday dawned to a calm but otherwise grey day. The clouds revealed the weather was about to change and as Don had predicted, the winds began in the east and increased by the end of breakfast. Clouds also began to form far out at sea. A lone black-backed seagull sat silently on the masthead, flying off as Harry came on deck. At the front, sat Ricki wrapped up in his padded jacket.
“I heard you get up at four o’clock. Have you been out here all this time?”
“Yeah,” Ricki replied.
“Is something wrong?”
“Yes!” a woman’s voice came from behind as Karen’s head appeared at the hatch. “Something is wrong,” she confirmed. Standing above him she looked toward Harry. “He didn’t sleep at all last night. He’s worried about something…”
“That true Ricki?” Harry asked.
“Oh - yeah! Just a feeling I have that’s all. I’ve been up all night but I can’t put my finger on it.”
“The yacht…the trip across?”
“Ha! God no! We are fully capable of this trip, even if it is the Tasman Sea with its wild reputation. It would take a huge storm to knock all of us off. No, it’s what is over there, but I can’t…” and he stopped, shaking his head. “It’s probably nothing. So let’s get started. We need breakfast first and I need something warm inside of me.”
“Me too,” Karen agreed.
“No - I mean breakfast!” he said with a wicked grin, to which he received a slap across his head from his wife.
Harry laughed.
“You two are hilarious. Ok, I’ll wake the others up on the radio and we’ll try to get under way in about an hour. It’s time we launched into this and got the open ocean stretch over with.”
As he went below the radio crackled to life.
“This is the Hope to all yachts. Are you old folks up and ready yet? – over,” Tia’s voice boomed through the radio.
“Hey, watch it cheeky,” Harry replied, “or Southern Spirit will have to show you guy’s how to sail…but we can wait for you in Sydney anyway – over!”
He could hear clearly as Tia and those in the Hope began to laugh loudly.
“Oh sure old man. Just waving the big boat about are we. Size might help you a little but we’ll find out who is the best soon won’t we? – over.”
“Taranaki here everybody,” Don replied from Fallon’s yacht. “Best you young ones don’t bleat too much as Fallon here doesn’t really want to embarrass you in front of the others – over!”
More laughter could be heard from the Hope over the radio which ended with a definitive, “Over!”
“What the hell is the racket? –over,” a new voice cut in.
“That you Zingari?” Harry asked.
“Yeah, Lenny here. Can’t we get some sleep? It’s like trying to rest with a party next door!”
“Hey Lenny? - over,” Tia called.
“What?” he replied.
“You didn’t say over – over!” she shot back.
“Over!”
“Over to what. Your last comment or just over the hill?” and she kept the microphone open so they could all hear more laughter. Then she completed the transmission with a final “Over!”
“Just wait till I get my hands on you young lady. Head first into the ocean for you - over!”
“Yeah, you and who’s army? We’ll set you adrift on a dingy again,” she provoked.
Everyone was aware of Lenny’s past and the incident twenty five years before where they had cast him adrift in Cook Straight with Frigo. Especially Chris who was aboard the Zingari. He was about to say something, but Chris prevented him. The radio chatter now ceased, the silence almost embarrassingly so. Lenny, who was well over that event, also kept radio silence, hoping for something. After what seemed like many minutes a call came back.
“Lenny?” Tia called.
“You didn’t say ‘over’,” he teased.
“No, I’m sorry – over,”
“Sorry for what Tia. Not saying ‘over’ or the hurtful comment? Over!” he asked. He could hardly contain his laughter and motioned for all on his yacht to keep quiet. He had an opportunity to tweak Tia and put her in her place about what was obviously going to be a yacht race.
“Sorry for the comment!”
“Say it again!”
“Sorry!” she said, and it was obvious by her voice she thought she had crossed the line in regard to Lenny. As much due to her age as the circumstance.
“Say it again?” he pushed further.
He could hear her sigh, “Sorrrrry!” and you could hear the exasperation in her voice.
Everything went silent for a while and then Chris’s voice broke over the radio. “Tia. You still listening? - over!”
“Yes!”
“You’ve been punked girl! Lenny is in a heap, still laughing on the cabin floor. Hear him…” and he put the microphone down to where he was? All she could hear was his silly giggle. “Go to the deck girl - over!” and he had everyone rush up to the stern, the closest end to the Hope.
As she appeared they all gave a huge cheer and clapped loudly as did the others from the other yachts. Even in the early morning light you could see her obvious embarrassment. It seemed age had the experie
nce as far as jokes were concerned.
“Well done!” she yelled, loud enough for everyone to hear and she gave a deep bow to each yacht. “Now, we will still kick all of you guys’ asses on the ocean today, so get fed because we are going to how you how it’s done. And you Lenny…” she said pointing to him, “This is all you’ll see of me today!” and she pointed to her bum as she jutted it out before disappearing below.
Immediately the radio crackled to life.
“Lenny here Tia. Even with Janie here, I don’t mind that view so if you…ow!” and the radio cut as Janie obviously had ended transmission.
“He’s a bit old to be saying that of someone so young isn’t he?” Fin asked.
“No. I mean yes, but I think it was a take on at humor that backfired with Janie there. Anyway, that is all he will see anyway. We will do our best to keep ahead of them. Is everyone agreed?”
They all nodded. All were skillful sailors and although the Hope was smaller by three foot, she was fast and very agile. Tia already regarded this crossing as a race as long as conditions were fair. They would have to slow at night and keep their distance when darkness fell, but daytime sailing meant pushing the limit. ‘If it is a ten day sail, let’s do it in nine’, was her thinking. They prepared breakfast, in this instance with plenty of protein and fresh eggs. The best for when the energy was needed the most – the ocean sailing. By the time they had cooked, eaten and cleaned up, only forty minutes had gone by. At 8am she got on the radio once more thinking to prove the others slower.
“We’re ready. Is everyone else? – over,” she asked.
“Taranaki ready - over!”
“Southern Spirit is also ready – over!”
“Been twiddling our thumbs for five minutes – over!” the call came from the Zingari. “We’ve been waiting for you aware that you’ve probably been filling up on protein. Meet you all on deck in five minutes. We will be sailing side by side and after twenty nautical miles whoever is in front keeps the line unless someone can pass, okay?”
So the challenge was now set. It was obvious to Tia that the others were going to treat this with some seriousness as well and a smile coursed her face. This was going to be fun and was now sure the trip would be anything but dull.