‘Guardia Costiera!’ she cried refusing to release her grip. ‘Police Coastal Patrol!’ All breath left her body with the relief. Well then, everything was out of her hands.
The wind increased to gale force. Bountiful had a will of its own, out of control, lifting and plunging and making it impossible to see clearly through the spray. Terrified of cross currents, Joanne gripped the slippery wheel as huge waves broke furiously over the deck intent on thrusting them down to the deep. As the bow lifted, she gave a start at the sight of a small boat tossing about - coming straight on course towards them. ‘We must warn them off,’ Joanne pitched her voice high against the howl of the wind. But how?
‘Not Police!’ Rurik’s skinny frame shuddered, his wet hair flailing his face as he let out a nervous laugh, ‘Small sail boat. No worry.’
Not the Guardia Costiera then...but now a big problem. Her thoughts grew frantic. She couldn’t change course in these conditions or risk capsizing. If that boat failed to see them in time God knows what might happen. Whatever was a small boat doing out in this? Her heart beat huge and violently against her ribs as she strove to keep calm. ‘Rurik! Look out for rocks!’ The deck suddenly slithered from under her feet, her hands wrenched from the wheel. A jagged rock loomed up on their port side and a scream choked her throat.
‘Okay. I got the wheel!’ Rurik’s shout penetrated her brain as she scrambled to her feet. He’d taken the helm and they’d veered sharply away from the rock.
‘Well done!’ Joanne cried. Briefly a sense of relief flooded in as she took over from him but the small boat still headed towards them on a collision course. ‘We’re going to jibe!’ she yelled, ‘Watch out, Rurik!’ Using every atom of strength, she threw the wheel in the opposite direction. The wind instantly caught the jib and the boom swung wildly over the deck. Rurik was not quick enough. She gasped as the boom caught his head a hefty bash and he crashed onto the deck. Joanne’s heart stopped. Oh no! Please be okay Rurik! Now it was hopeless. She couldn’t sail and watch out for rocks single handed.
A shout carried towards her on the wind. The small boat was almost upon them and she grew lightheaded unable to grasp what she saw. It pitched about in the sea, furled sails sagging, its mast tipped at a precarious angle. Joanne heard the motor, an erratic whine as it dipped and rose in the waves. She stared mesmerised, unable to move. No aerials, no satellite, no high cockpit; just a tiny sail boat out in this wild sea.
‘Joanne!’
Reality rammed in and she stared at the lone figure waving frantically at her. ‘Fabio!’ she shrieked. ‘Fabio!’ and her voice croaked as she took in his familiar, beloved form.
Fabio’s little boat veered all over the place, its motor howling like a woman in labour as he drew near and fought to keep the boat from crashing into the yacht.
‘I’m coming aboard. Catch the rope, Joanne!’ He hurled it up towards her.
She managed to grab it and recovering her senses, wound it fast around a cleat. Her actions came of their own accord since her brain refused take in that Fabio was here. She watched as he cast the rubber fenders over the side of his small boat and struggled up the stern ladder onto the yacht. Sea water streamed off his clothes as he let the rope out so his little boat drifted away to rock behind the yacht.
And then he was close, his soaking wet body pressed against her shaking cold wet one. ‘I’ve been frantic with worry my dearest Joanne.’ His voice broke.
Joanne was half crying. ‘Oh Fabio,’ she gulped. ‘Thank God. How did you know - how ever did you sail...? She felt the strength of him as heady emotion swamped her with glorious relief while water dripped off his straggly pony tail down her neck.
‘Later - I’ll explain later. Check that fellow - okay my love? I’ll take over now.’ He’d already taken the helm. She saw him screw up his face and peer towards land, his face grave. ‘No time to lose; we’re almost onto the rocks again...
Joanne snatched up a cloth and crouched beside Rurik, trying to keep steady while the deck bucketed beneath her like a wild pony.
Rurik was only winded and thankfully came around quickly. She held the damp cloth against the lump on his forehead. ‘Rurik, can you hear me?’ Her voice was hoarse as she yelled above the roar of waves crashing onto rocks. ‘Soon be on dry land!’
Rurik moaned and pulled himself up onto an elbow. He must have caught sight of the stranger who grasped the wheel. ‘What? Who?’ he muttered and made a frantic effort to struggle to his feet.
‘It’s all right Rurik, he’s my friend. His boat,’ she pointed back and placed a restraining hand on his arm.
Rurik took several deep breaths which seemed to give him strength. He swayed up onto his feet and stood, keeping his balance. He gaped as he looked overboard. ‘Your boat, Signor?’
The full force of Fabio’s bravery suddenly impacted on Joanne. Tears pressed the back of her eyes for his selfless act. He’d vowed not to put to sea again after his mother drowned.
Fabio turned and raised his voice, ‘Ciao, Rurik; that’s my boat. How many of you down in the cabin?’
‘Eight,’ Rurik held up his fingers. Seeing Joanne’s anxious look Rurik shrugged his shoulders. ‘I now okay,’ he said with a weak smile.
Joanne turned and stared wide eyed at Fabio. ‘How did you know about them?’ she shouted above the crescendo of noise.
Fabio raised his eyebrows, ‘Worked it out, my love.’ He gave her a wink.
She saw sea water running down his cheeks. He paid no notice to the sodden clothes which clung to his body. The yacht heaved and plunged like a demon but Fabio’s steady voice reassured.
‘Keep a lookout on the starboard, will you caro? I’ll watch the port side.’ He called out to Rurik. ‘Go below and prepare the men to go ashore. You must take them four at a time and return for the others. Are you up to it?’
When Rurik quickly nodded, he added. ‘The sea won’t be so rough inshore. Don’t take the boat right in though. They’ll have to jump in and wade the last few metres.’ He pointed and made the actions with his arms. ‘If the motor fails there are two paddles. It’s only a short distance but the men must keep a look out for hazards. Can you do that? I must stay to keep the yacht safely off these large rocks.’
‘Okay, I do it!’
‘Good man! You have to return and fetch the other four to go ashore. On the final trip, I’ll make the last run to shore with you and la Signorina.’
‘I flash lamp!’ Rurik protested as Fabio slid it to one side with his foot.
‘Okay, Go ahead – but don’t alert who’s waiting with the truck about the Signorina here on board, you understand? I don’t want word getting about the Island...’
Rurik lowered his head, ‘Not worry - I take men to shore.’ He grabbed the lantern then looked up with a frown. ‘I not good Signorina.’
‘You’ve been very good, Rurik.’ Joanne couldn’t stop her teeth chattering. ‘I couldn’t have sailed without your help.’ Despite the hazards, with Fabio here she felt security wrap around her, untroubled by the chaotic sea that crashed against the yacht. Joanne watched as four men emerged from the cabin, their faces white and haggard. They looked stunned, unaware what was happening. She garnered control and took over the helm while Fabio spoke to encourage them.
Fabio hauled the small boat close and climbed down to put the motor in neutral before assisting each man in. Back on board he leaned over the gunwale and yelled above the noise to give Rurik instructions.
Joanne held her breath as Rurik thrust the motor in gear and the little boat took off like a rocket.
‘He’s a fine lad.’ Fabio muttered. He heaved a deep breath and explained, ‘After Rurik’s returned to fetch the other four men, I’m going to take the yacht further out to sea and drop anchor. It’ll ride out the storm safer away from these rocks.
The wind blew stronger. Joanne stared after the dinghy as it bobbed like a plastic toy over the rough sea and prayed Rurik would be up to the task of ferrying these men safely to s
hore.
***
The immigrants had all been safely landed by the time she finally arrived on shore with Fabio and Rurik. Two men, their identities shielded by hoods had quickly loaded the immigrants onto the trucks. She smiled, remembering how Rurik ventured to give her a quick hug of thanks before he too leapt on board and she prayed he would not be exploited.
Chapter 20
Joanne lay absolutely still, afraid to move lest she disturb the sleeping figure beside her. His breath fanned her cheeks and thrills zipped through her body. As she gazed up at the beamed ceiling, she knew all the memories of the previous night would be irrevocably fused to this glorious moment of lying here with Fabio.
Fabio murmured something but didn’t wake, and sadly Joanne would have lingered to savour this moment. Yet sunshine was beginning to creep along the edge of the curtain; time was slipping by and she had no choice but to leave.
With a feeling of awe, she moved her hand slowly in a ray of sunlight so that piercing glints of deep green dazzled her eyes from the emerald ring on her third finger.
So much had happened within the space of a few hours.
She caught her breath, remembering that other time on that same beach at Spiaggio dei Maronti – it seemed like déjà vu of the day when they’d shared their first embrace.
Last night after the trucks had disappeared into the night, Fabio had carried her up that same path to his parked car although the previous time she’d walked. Gently he’d set her down on the passenger seat and wrapped her in a blanket from the boot. But there was no inkling as to how he’d discovered she was sailing the yacht by herself or how he knew about the immigrants on board, let alone which course the yacht was heading. Closeted in the car, an over whelming sense of security rushed in and feeling better, she’d tickled his neck, pleading him to explain but he’d merely turned to her while driving, given her an enigmatic smile and raised his eyebrows. All he said was,
‘You’ll have to wait until we get back home.’
He’d actually said ‘home’ just as if it were her place too. Even the memory of that word fetched waves of pleasure coursing through her. Nevertheless, she’d almost screamed with impatience, waiting to hear his tale.
Now all the memories of the previous evening returned.
Tucked up on the sofa in his cottage with a glass of brandy while the alcohol slid down her throat with fiery heat, her heart had burst. Fabio’s voice had been full of emotion as he knelt beside her and began to explain,
‘We have to thank Tom for his quick reaction to your text. He got a taxi to me straight away, desperate to help. In less than ten minutes we’d put our heads together and formed a plan of action. When the yacht failed to return to the harbour I half guessed Renzo had dropped you into some terrible predicament. I tried desperately to get in touch with him but his phone was switched off. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when Tom phoned me and said he’d received your text. I was incensed when I guessed what Renzo had involved you with.’
As Fabio hugged her tight against his warm body Joanne’s tension sipped away but her mind seethed with questions. ‘So,’ she asked eagerly. ‘I still can’t see...However did you and Tom work it out? How did you guess the course I was sailing on?
‘Tom’s clever deduction; he’s a good researcher! I’d told him your guesswork about Marco’s part in ferrying the immigrants and Tom instantly saw we must tackle him first. I was keen to alert the coastal patrol - fearing Marco might be dangerous. Tom wouldn’t listen. He thought Marco was the only one who’d know what Renzo planned and urged we question him first. We were so concerned about you, Joanne,’ Fabio said quietly. ‘A good friend in need, and indeed is Tom!’
Hysterical giggles overwhelmed Joanne and Fabio turned an anxious face to her.
‘Shall I leave it for now? You’re exhausted my love.’
‘Don’t you dare! Go on, I’m going crazy waiting to hear it all.’
‘Well, we tracked down Marco. By luck he was just leaving that bar; apparently his sick mother had taken a turn for the worse so he hadn’t gone fishing.’
‘And?’ Joanne frowned as her tired brain tried to grasp the significance.
Fabio grinned. ‘Tom and I made sure he wouldn’t be going home until he’d come clean. The fellow quickly realized he had no alternative and we pieced together what was going on. He told us he suspected Renzo might involve ‘that young woman’ – he put it rather stronger than that and I’m afraid Tom gave him a punch in the ribs he’s unlikely to forget.’
‘You mean, as I had already worked out - Marco was the person Renzo had used to ferry the immigrants?’
‘That’s right. And he revealed the cove where they landed them. So you see, when we re-read the text you sent Tom we put two and two together.’
‘And then you sailed to rescue me,’ Joanne said softly, her eyes full of compassion.
‘No problem, my love. The bonus is...’ he leaned toward her and kissed her gently, ‘I have you trapped here for one whole night!’ And removing her glass, he placed it down and folded his arms about her. ‘There’s just one small thing before I enlarge on my ideas.’
Joanne’s heart beats drummed in her ears and her eyes closed as tingles shot down her spine.
‘Joanne, dearest Joanne; will you make me the happiest man on earth? Will you please commit to me for ever?’
For an answer, she’d collapsed against him and felt his strong heart pump against her breast. ‘This is all I’ve ever dreamed of, darling Fabio.’
‘I’ve worked it out.’ His eyes crinkled with happiness as he enlarged. ‘If you’ll agree to come and live with me here, I shall take you on frequent trips back to Rome, Florence, Milan – any of those places my city girl desires! Don’t worry, my offer is not entirely altruistic – I can combine the trips with visits to galleries and dealers. Now how does that sound to you?’
‘Perfect my love,’ Joanne sighed. She’d never have believed how her life would be transformed in just a few weeks.
‘Here is my pledge.’ Fabio reached for a silver box.
Joanne’s eyes widened as he’d held her hand and slipped a gleaming emerald ring on her third finger. Overcome with joy she whispered, ‘I am so happy, my darling. This is special, isn’t it?’
Briefly Fabio looked away, overcome with emotion. ‘Yes, my mother’s.’
Joanne’s heart went out to him. ‘I’ll always treasure this.’
‘Just promise not to get in any more trouble, eh? I think one episode like that is enough don’t you?’ His eyes filled with a mix of love and mischief as very gently he dappled his fingers along her arm. Time stopped still.
‘I shan’t be a burden, mind,’ she said. But fate had a habit of intervening. Suddenly, Fabio’s house phone began to ring and soon the strident sound was impossible to ignore. A sinking feeling swamped Joanne as once again the interruption threatened their mood. She nodded as Fabio raised his eyebrows. ‘Yes, please answer it. It could be important.’
And so it proved. The person ringing did most of the speaking and she stared as Fabio frowned and mostly grunted or spoke in furious monosyllables. She heard him say, ‘That must be Joanne’s choice,’ before he replaced the phone. His expression was thoughtful as turned to her. ‘Renzo,’ he declared.
‘What! Where is he? What did he say?’
‘He’s in a Naples hotel. To put it briefly, he assures me it was not his intention to abandon you. He sounds dreadfully apologetic, Joanne – deeply remorseful, but I can’t forgive him. He knows he’s guilty, but he honestly couldn’t see how to extricate himself; you see, as I suspected he’s in the grip of a Naples Camorra gang. After Renzo left you at the quay he’d gone to confront them and put an end to the business of transporting immigrants. But when Renzo refused to sail them to the Island last night the gang forced him to write that note to you via Rurik and held him hostage until they made sure you’d sailed off with the immigrants on board.’
Shock rocketed in and Joan
ne gripped Fabio’s arm. ‘Yes, but that’s why he invited me to crew his yacht! Don’t you see? He’s guilty of betraying my trust. He must have known Marco might soon refuse to transport the immigrants in his fishing boat.’ She frowned. ‘And to think I was starting to feel sympathy for him!’ Angered, blood pumped through her veins as she exclaimed, ‘I could have drowned!’
Fabio turned a stricken face to her. ‘Oh Joanne, I’m so terribly sorry, I almost made allowances for him just now.’ He sank down beside her. ‘He’s a liar and manipulator but that’s a symptom of his weakness. When I questioned him he gave me his promise that he only employed you as crew with the idea for his Sailing School plans in mind. It’s hard to know the truth.’ His arms enfolded her in a warm hug. ‘I’m so angry for what he’s put you through. Renzo’s greed allowed him to get into something like this. His actions sicken me,’ Fabio muttered.
Joanne let out a sigh. ‘At least I’ve gained good sailing tuition; I have to be grateful for that.’ She raised her head and gave Fabio a warm smile. ‘And I’d never have met you if I’d turned down that invitation!’
‘For which I shall be eternally thankful! It’s a cliché but, ‘Good things comes out of Bad’, eh? And such wonderful things.’ He lowered his face and kissed her gently before drawing her down to sit beside him. ‘As a boy, Renzo always boasted about being a billionaire one day – all hot air and arrogance.’ He shook his head, ‘Once he got deep into shady transactions, the Camorra gang had him under their control. That’s how they were able to put their own foreman in charge of the Winery and organise the illegal immigrant labour force; poor devils, slaving for a pittance.’
If Renzo hadn’t paid his dues to the gang, they were able to force him to install their own man as Manager at the Winery.’ Fabio’s forehead creased in a deep frown and his eyes narrowed. ‘One reads horrific tales of some Mafia bosses who keep caged animal predators to intimidate victims.’
‘Oh my god! Do you think Mafia are to blame for Angelina’s husband’s death then?’
Beyond The Island Page 26