* * * *
It took a few hours for the heavily laden fishing boats to reach Eastland, and the sun was well up as they sailed into the large harbor and moored up. Several trucks were waiting for them, and they helped the buyers load the flowers on the back.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Dr. Jay said, as the men stood around discussing payment and further orders. Refrainia’s flower business was thriving.
As the buyers drove off, Rechavia spotted a man he recognized. “Let’s get this ship, then, guys.”
He introduced them to the man, whose name was Gentza. He greeted them warmly and led them down the harbor a little way before presenting them with their new vessel. The ship was massive compared to the little fishing boats, and they wondered at first whether it was a good idea to only have one man pilot it on their maiden voyage. It had lights and a powerful engine, nothing like the ship they had lost.
“I bet Durango was pissed at having to shell out for this beauty.” Rechavia whooped.
“The court specified that it had to be fit for purpose. Seeing how many boats you have needed to bring your orders over, I’d say this is an ideal size for you.” Gentza smiled as the sailors checked out their new pride and joy.
“We’ll certainly shift a few flowers in here,” Aitan said, delighted to find an air-conditioned storage unit.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ll let Mr. Durango’s lawyers know that it was acceptable to you,” Gentza said with a smirk.
He and Rechavia had been in contact for some time about the ship, which Durango had been ordered by the court to provide them with. It was a replacement for the one he sabotaged, nearly drowning the crew. He was currently in gaol for his crimes, no doubt miserable enough without having to lose so much money over this.
Gentza took them for a sail around the area to familiarize them with handling the ship. Although they were all experienced sailors, it had been a while since any of them had manned anything of this size and capabilities. This was also the most modern, state-of-the-art vessel any of them had ever handled. Its power alone took some getting used to.
Dr. Ernaut met Dr. Jay as he entered the hospital. “So glad you could come, my friend. I take it your patient is recovering well?”
“Very well, thank you.” I certainly wouldn’t be here otherwise!
“Good. The board wanted to apologise personally for all the trouble you have been through as a result of one of the hospital staff. Needless to say, Nurse Reis is no longer working for us. In fact, she has been de-registered.”
“Oh.” Dr. Jay was shocked. He hadn’t realized they would go that far.
“They took your case very seriously,” Dr. Ernaut explained, noticing his expression. “When it transpired that she was a serial offender they felt they had no other choice. They could not risk this happening again.”
“Glad to hear it.”
The board had all assembled for the meeting, and the two doctors took their seats. The chairman made a very long-winded speech about how the case had come about and what had transpired from it. He went on to offer profuse apologies to Dr. Jasun for all the inconvenience and distress it had caused him, especially in the light of his girlfriend being so ill.
He went on to say, “As a gesture of goodwill, the board would like to offer you any help, financially and otherwise, which you might need in the setting up of your practice on the island. Furthermore, we are planning to send a designer over to examine your premises and arrange for the fitting of all necessary equipment. The board have also arranged to deliver regular medical supplies to the island, to save you from having to keep leaving your surgery in order to fetch them.”
Dr. Jay couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. He was finally going to be able to offer a quality service to the people of the island, something he had longed for since he arrived there. “Thank you so much, all of you.” He could hardly speak for the massive lump in his throat.
The members of the board all stood and applauded the young doctor, patting him on the back and complimenting him on the sterling work he was doing. Dr. Ernaut beamed, watching his friend bathe in the glory he so rightly deserved, before taking him down the road for a stiff drink.
They discussed the details of what was proposed over a couple of glasses of whisky before Dr. Ernaut had to leave. He had worked a long shift and needed some rest. He promised to visit his friend on the island as soon as he could.
“We might have known we’d find you here,” Farris shouted with a grin as he filled the doorway of the little tavern.
“I’ve got good news.” Dr. Jay grinned as he finished his drink.
“So have we, bro,” Rechavia announced as they piled in and sat down at the little table.
Aitan ordered the drinks and they all sat down and told each other the events of their day. Everyone was thrilled for each other, and they chatted excitedly about their plans for the surgery, the business and the ship.
“I think we should use some of this hard-earned cash to treat our women,” Rechavia proposed after a couple of beers.
“Great idea.” Farris was the first on his feet. “I saw some cute little trinkets in a shop down the way last time I was here.”
“No point in getting jewellery,” Dr. Jay said thoughtfully as they left the tavern.
“Anything would be nice. Our girls never get presents, do they?” Aitan mused.
They made their way down a couple of side streets to a little shop that stood opposite another little tavern. Being Friday afternoon, many of the workers had finished early and were sitting at small tables outside, enjoying a drink in the sunshine.
“We might squeeze another one in before we go,” Rechavia said, eyeing the bar.
“Let’s get the important bit done first,” Farris said as he led the way into the little shop.
It was full of sparkle. There were jewellery, beaded handbags, and accessories of every kind. Everything glittered under the bright lights.
“Ligia would love it here,” Aitan enthused.
“We need to get something they can wear on the island, though.” Rechavia moaned.
“How about this?” Farris picked up a beautiful hair clip, packed with colourful stones. It shone in the light, twinkling as he turned it in his big hand.
“Perfect!” Dr. Jay and the others crowded around the counter by Farris. It was crammed with different hair accessories.
“All our girls have long hair, I’m sure they’d love something like this!” Rechavia was a lot more enthusiastic now. He picked out a red, sparkly clip for Kalliope’s black hair. Aitan chose one with green stones and rhinestones for Ligia’s red locks. Farris had his heart set on a large turquoise-and-silver clip for Ademia, which would match the blue in her eyes.
Dr. Jay nodded his approval. “And I think we’ll take this one along, too, for the other girl in our lives.” He picked out a dainty little multi-coloured, sparkly clip.
Armed with their treasures, the men grinned broadly as they left the shop. They couldn’t wait to see their women’s faces when they opened them.
“Have we got time for another drink?” Aitan asked as they crossed the street.
“Fucking hell!” Everyone looked to where Farris was staring.
“Is that who I think it is?”
“It sure is, Jay.”
They marched up to one of the little tables outside the tavern. Mrs. Loidi looked like she was holding court with Serefina and Palben.
“That woman just doesn’t know when she’s beat!” Rechavia seethed.
The four burly men towered over the drinkers.
“Oh, it’s you is it?” Mrs. Loidi looked disparagingly at them, “What do you want?”
“I just want you to know that none of your dirty, conniving schemes have worked. And if any of you interfere with anyone from the island again, we’ll be back here and you won’t know what’s hit you.” Dr. Jay’s voice was deep and calm, but his face was as black as thunder.
“We’ll see about that!�
� Mrs. Loidi was up on her feet with her nose in the air.
“You can’t talk to us like that!” Serefina shouted, jumping up.
“I think you’ll find he just did,” Rechavia pointed out.
Farris was staring at Palben. He looked paler than ever, and wore a small dressing across his nose. He stood up slowly, glaring back at the massive sailor. Farris grabbed his shirt and pushed him up against a wall.
“If you ever go near any of our girls again I will personally come back and kill you!” He spoke though gritted teeth, in a deep voice only loud enough for Palben to hear. The young lad looked like he was about to keel over but it didn’t bother Farris. “Do I make myself clear?” He shoved him back again and his head thumped the wall behind.
“Y-yes,” he managed.
“You’re threatening us!” Mrs. Loidi caught on quick. “I won’t have it, do you hear?”
“Oh yes you will,” Rechavia blurted out, “because we’ve got a brand-spanking new, state-of-the-art ship which will get us here in double-quick time now, and you can bet your life we will be back to find you if we hear of any more of your games. Is that clear?”
The older woman stared up at Rechavia. She was visibly shaking now.
“You leave her alone!” Serefina screeched.
“Like you left me alone, you mean?” Dr. Jay was right up close to her face. She jumped.
“You deserved that. And it’s true—that girl is a whore! She said so herself.” She was trembling as she spoke, her eyes wide.
“She said it so that cow wouldn’t want the islanders to settle here!” Dr. Jay yelled in her face and she shrinked back. “Anyone with half a brain would know she was lying to save the island from that bastard, but then I guess that’s why you all didn’t see through it!”
Serefina opened her mouth to speak but thought better of it. She took another step back. Mrs. Loidi did the same. Farris gave Palben one more shake for luck before discarding him like a used dishrag.
With looks of utter disgust, the men retreated and made their way back to the harbor.
“Wow, that felt good,” Farris said once they were out of earshot. “I still wish I’d killed him when I had the chance.”
“How the mighty have fallen. All three of them now unemployed.” Rechavia smirked. It was almost a pity Durango was in gaol, as he would love to kick his ass.
“It’s a shame, that girl’s thrown away a really good career,” Dr. Jay said with a sigh as they reached the small fishing boats.
Next to their boats was a huge ship. It took a minute for it to register to the doctor that this was, in fact, their ship.
“You’re kidding me!” He gawped at the colossal beast.
“Come aboard.” Rechavia grinned. He showed Dr. Jay all around their new vessel, pointing out all the mod cons. She really was a sailor’s wet dream.
“So which one of you gets to take her home?”
“Need you ask?”
“I guessed as much. Think you can handle her?” The doctor was only joking. If anyone could handle the new ship, it was Rechavia.
He disembarked and hopped aboard one of the small fishing boats. They each manoeuvred their craft skilfully from the harbor and out onto the open sea. Rechavia led the way, elegantly slicing through the waves. He had to keep his speed down, as the others would never have caught up otherwise. He couldn’t wait to put the vessel through its paces and really feel her move. For now, though, he had to keep an eye on the others.
Farris had the lightest of the fishing boats, and well he knew it! It balked at every wave that came their way, making it a very uncomfortable journey, especially as they were mainly in the wake of the large ship. He veered to one side, hoping to escape the wash, but the water was just as choppy.
Rain started to fall with the night and the sailors in the fishing boats got drenched. The sea became rougher and the waves splashed over the sides.
Rechavia had slowed the ship right down, seeing the difficulty they were all having. He could hear the rain hammering on the canopy above his head and knew the others were being pelted from all sides.
Farris was using one hand to scoop water out of his boat. Dr. Jay pulled up alongside him and gave him the thumbs-up in a question. Farris nodded and held up his thumb. He was OK at the moment, but any more of this and the boat was likely to sink.
Aitan was on the other side of the ship. He kept as close as he could to the massive hull, hoping it would afford some shelter from the storm. His boat was slightly sturdier and could withstand the ship’s wake.
A loud crash of thunder rolled overhead just before another torrent of rain attacked them.
“Fuck!” Farris’s attempts to bail out the boat seemed to be failing. It shook as it rolled from side to side and he held on tight.
“Forget it, climb aboard,” Dr. Jay yelled as he came up alongside him again.
“We can’t lose another boat!” Farris hollered back, defiantly shaking his head.
Dr. Jay rolled his eyes. Farris had the shallowest of all the boats, and it was filling fast. Without another crewmember, it was virtually impossible to keep bailing out whilst piloting the vessel. Dr. Jay grabbed a small bucket that had been left when they took the flowers out, and reached over to give it to Farris. His friend stretched his massive body over the boat and snatched it from his hand. The boat wobbled again, and Farris started to vigorously scoop the first few bucketfuls out. It was a big job but he felt he was making inroads. Thank God!
The rain continued to pour, and Farris was sure his oil lamps would be put out soon. He steered in an arc around the backwash of the ship, trying to get closer to the hull. Dr. Jay tried to keep up with him, terrified the little boat was going to sink. It was no good. Farris’s little boat was too light to contend with the wake from the large ship and she pitched violently from the bow. He hung on for dear life until it righted itself and then got to work with the bucket again. His strong muscles heaved the water back over the sides, with a speed that exceeded that of the incoming waves. He panted as he felt the bucket scrape the bottom of the boat and he knew he’d won the battle.
The rain had eased off and the moon was trying to crawl out from behind the clouds when they saw the welcoming rocks of Refrainia ahead. With a massive sigh, Farris felt for the package in his back pocket. The thought of Ademia’s face when she received their gift had kept him going through the storm. Soon he would be rewarded by the feel of her next to his body. It would be more than worth the ordeal.
Rechavia manoeuvred the huge ship into place before the small boats moored up alongside it.
“Well, we can see who picked the long straw!” Aitan moaned as his friend jumped down from the ship. He was bone dry, having been in the little canopied area of the heated ship.
“And I know exactly who got the shortest!” Dr. Jay laughed as Farris crawled out of the little boat looking like a drowned rat.
Farris was too exhausted to reply. The uphill walk to the big house seemed like a mountain climb to the weary sailors, who said good-bye to their friends before attempting the trek.
“You’re here! Thank God, you’re here!” Ademia came running out of the dark toward them as their aching bodies struggled up the path.
“Baby, what are you doing out here?” Dr. Jay cried as she ran into his arms.
“We’ve been so worried about you! We saw the storm and thought…”
“Now you shouldn’t be worrying about us. We can take care of ourselves. It’s you we worry about, running out here in just a shirt in this weather!” He swung her round and placed her back on the ground, suddenly getting his second wind.
“Are you OK, Farris?” She turned to him, wide-eyed.
“I’m fine, little lady, I’m fine now.” Taking her in his strong arms, he held her like he would never let her go.
She turned her face back up to him, smiling. “You’re exhausted. We’ve got some hot tea ready and we’ve brought down some towels.”
Once they were dried and chan
ged, they sat in the lounge with Ademia and Melantho to drink their tea. The girls had also made cookies, which the men tucked into eagerly. They couldn’t remember when they last ate.
“How was the hearing?” Ademia wore a worried frown as she asked.
Dr. Jay chuckled. “Much better than I expected,” he admitted, and went on to tell them all about the new equipment.
“The new ship’s a beauty, too. I can’t wait to show it to you tomorrow.” Although totally shattered, Farris was still excited.
“We’re so lucky!” Melantho smiled as she gathered up the dishes.
“Luckier than you think, actually.” Farris nodded to his friend and they each produced a small bag. “We thought this would look really pretty on you.” He offered Ademia the gift and she gaped at him in surprise.
“W-what is it?”
“It’s a gift from us.” Farris chuckled. She had obviously never received a gift before. “Go on, open it,” he urged.
She took the small package in her soft fingers and slowly opened it. Jewels shone and sparkled from it, and her jaw dropped.
“It’s for your hair,” Farris said softly. “Do you like it?”
“Oh Farris, Jay, I love it! And I love you!” She grabbed Farris and gave him a loving kiss and a hug. Then she turned to Dr. Jay and did the same. Her heart was racing, and she kept examining and hugging the clip.
“It’s very beautiful,” Melantho said quietly as she took a step toward the door. She was feeling a little like a third wheel and wished she’d left sooner.
“Well I’m glad you like it, Mel,” Dr. Jay said, offering her the small package in his hand, “’Cos this one’s for you.”
Melantho was visibly stunned. Her face paled and she stared at the wrapping.
“Go ahead, open it. It won’t bite.” The doctor smiled at her kindly as he placed the gift in her hand.
Tears filled her eyes when she unfolded the paper to see the beautiful, sparkly clip lying there.
“Do you like it?” Dr. Jay studied her expression and, seeing the tears put his big arms around her shoulders.
She snuggled into him, sobbing. “Th-thank you,” she managed.
Ménage of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 12