The Mudskipper Cup

by Christopher Cummings

  “No. It’s too dangerous.”

  Graham shook his head. “Mum! It’s not. Max was just playing the fool,” he protested.

  “And what if the boat tips over? You will all be in the water,” his mother said.

  “That’s different. We are with the boat and have some protection. Besides, catamarans don’t tip over very much,” he replied. He paused and smiled then added, “Not the old Mudskipper anyway. She’s a bit too heavy.”

  He could see his mother weakening but it was his dad who spoke next. “I think they should do one more race. We will never hear the end of it otherwise. I’m sure after this they will be very careful.”

  His mother looked doubtful. “Hmm. I don’t know. I don’t like the idea,” she said.

  Kylie stepped forward. “Oh please Mum!” she cried.

  “It depends. Besides, the other parents may all put a ban on sailing so it may be no contest,” their mother said.

  They looked at Margaret. She nodded and looked unhappy. “Probably,” she said.

  “Anyway, we can discuss it some other time. We must get you children home,” his mother said.

  Graham didn’t like being called a child but could only blush. He was helped up onto two crutches and hobbled out. They took Margaret home first and the parents all had a discussion at the gate. When they returned to the car Graham asked: “Did they say if Margaret could go sailing or not?”

  “No they did not. We didn’t ask. We will discuss it tomorrow,” his mother replied.

  Graham waved to Margaret as they drove off. She waved back, her face one happy smile.

  At home Graham was put to bed. He protested but only feebly as he felt very tired and worn out. Alex sat with him and insisted he relate the whole incident. Kylie brought him dinner in bed. Then he was asleep in minutes.

  It was a restless, feverish sleep full of bad dreams, of the shark coming for him. He awoke tired and feverish. His mother felt his forehead.

  “No school for you today,” she said.

  Graham settled back on his pillows and sighed. He didn’t want to go anyway. So he lay and read a book and slept. It had taken far more out of him than he suspected and he was genuinely ill.

  After school Peter and Roger came to see him. He was reading but starting to fidget with boredom. “How was school?”

  Peter shrugged. “Same as always,” he replied.

  Roger chuckled. “We got old ‘Buggermaster’ so wild we thought he might have a heart attack. He went absolutely purple in the face.”

  “Thanks Roger,” Graham replied dryly. “I’ll have to face him first thing tomorrow and he will probably be in a savage mood still.”

  “Never mind,” Roger said with a smile. “How are you?”

  “I’m OK. How’s Max?”

  “He’s off the critical list,” Peter said. “We are going to see him tonight.”

  There was the sound of girls’ voices at the front gate. Kylie and Margaret bounded up the steps. Margaret came over to him, shy and unsure. Graham blushed, felt a heel over how he had treated her and reached out to take her hand.

  The effect was instantaneous. She positively glowed with pleasure. Graham blushed but neither of his friends made any comment or even seemed to notice. Margaret sat beside the bed.

  Kylie beamed. “Get up you lazy great slug!” she said. “Have you been in bed all day?”

  “I’m sick,” Graham replied wrathfully.

  “Sick in the head,” Peter agreed. “Anyone who dives into the sea with a shark isn’t all there.”

  Roger nodded. “Especially to rescue Max,” he agreed. “Now, if it had been me, that would have been different.”

  Graham was highly embarrassed by their teasing and tried to change the subject.

  “What about the seventh race? Are your parents going to let you go sailing again?”

  “Mine will,” Peter said. “Mum said, ‘Only the good die young’. So I’m right.”

  “Roger?”

  “They aren’t keen. But then, I haven’t really asked them directly.”

  “You’d better do that tonight. We need to know,” Graham said. “What about you Margaret?”

  “No. Not until the shark is caught,” Margaret replied, shaking her head sadly.

  “But that might be years! It might be never!” Graham cried.

  Peter nodded. “There are thousands of sharks in the sea. How will they know which is the right one?” he commented.

  “They could cut it open and...” Roger began.

  “Oh Roger!” Kylie cried, looking pale. “That will do!”

  “Anyway, who will be your fourth crew member?” Margaret asked.

  That was a puzzle. They discussed how to get parents to change their minds.

  “We’ve got to have that seventh race,” Graham insisted. He was set on it.

  Next day he went to school. His mother drove him and he was able to hop along on his left foot without having to use the crutches. The story of his diving in to fight the shark had done the rounds and made him something of a hero and a curiosity, which he disliked intensely, especially as some of the comments were barbed and dipped in the malice of envy.

  Mr Burgomeister wasn’t impressed. “Won’t help you get a job boy! Now catch up on the work you missed.”

  Graham gave Stephen a wry grin and was a bit put out because even Stephen seemed to be a bit stand-offish.

  Of the bullies he luckily saw sign.

  The teacher who was nicest to him was his History and Geography teacher, Mr Conkey. “Good effort,” was all he said, but his friendly nod and sincerity made that the equivalent of a long speech.

  At lunch time the friends were joined by Andrew and his crew. “So is the last race on or not?” Andrew asked. “Can old hoppy here still pull an oar?”

  Graham made a face. Peter answered for him. “It depends how many of us have our parents’ permission. I’m OK and I think Graham is. What about you lot?”

  Andrew laughed. “I’m allowed. My dad said no self-respecting shark would bother to bite me. And Blake’s OK.”

  Blake chortled. “My old man said it would serve me bloody right if I got eaten,” he said. He looked at Graham. “He reckons you are touched in the head to jump in to help Max. Serves the drongo right I say.”

  “What about you Luke?” Peter asked.

  The Torres Strait Islander’s black face split in a cheerful grin. “My father he say: ‘You catch that shark. He good tucker.’ So yes, I’m OK. My people think sailing in small boats is more normal than driving a car, and much safer.”

  “You are right there,” Peter agreed. “What about you Simmo?”

  “No problems. My parents said if I fell overboard it served me right.”

  “What about the girls?” Peter asked.

  “Three are OK I think,” Andrew replied. “Carmen is the same as me. Dad said any shark that bit her would spit her straight out again.”

  They all laughed. Andrew went on. “Carmen has talked to the others. Jennifer Jervis is allowed as long as we have a safety boat and that is arranged; and I gather Kylie can sail if you can Graham?”

  “Yes, equality and all that,” Graham replied.

  “So it’s only Margaret,” Andrew replied. “So what about you lot? Can you sail Roger?”

  Roger pulled a face. “I asked my parents. They aren’t real happy about it and said they will see. I gather they are going to talk to some of the other parents.”

  Andrew nodded. “And you will need a fourth man too. Any ideas?”

  Peter shrugged. “Not really. How about you Steve?”

  Stephen made a wry face. “I’d like to but I’m still grounded. I’ll ask tonight.”

  That was all they could decide then. They dispersed to afternoon lessons. After school Graham hobbled over to Roger’s. His mother was there, having afternoon tea with Mrs Dunning.

  As Graham lowered himself into the car Roger asked. “Are you coming to see Max tonight?”

  Graham di
dn’t want to but he felt guilty. “What time are visiting hours?” he asked.

  “Seven till nine.”

  “OK. If mum will drive us,” Graham agreed. They had to return the crutches anyway.

  His mother did agree. So did Kylie. There was some telephoning and they set off after tea, collecting Margaret on the way. She squeezed in next to Graham and sat pressing against him but he didn’t hold her hand. She was getting just a little too proprietorial. ‘I shouldn’t have encouraged her!’ he thought.

  At the hospital the group made its way to the ward where Max lay. Graham was half dreading the meeting but as they entered the room he got another shock which quite overshadowed it.

  Jennifer was there. And she was holding hands with Andrew! Graham felt a surge of foolish jealousy. He thanked his lucky stars he hadn’t made any open advances to her, and that everyone thought he liked Margaret. It saved him from looking like a dill.

  Max was very pale and quiet. His skin looked a sort of sickly yellow instead of his usual tan. He was very dejected and hardly even smiled when Peter and Roger came in full of wisecracks and laughter.

  After ten-minutes Graham felt decidedly uncomfortable. He felt terribly sorry for Max. Max had often talked about being a professional sportsman. Now he would have to rethink everything.

  As soon as he decently could Graham said goodbye and hobbled out, Margaret following him. In the corridor there was more embarrassment. They encountered Max’s parents, and his sister Cindy. Graham had been to Max’s house hundreds of times and they had always been nice and friendly. Now they treated him to a frigid, hostile stare and said nothing.

  Graham felt sick inside. ‘It’s as though they blame me,’ he thought. That was a shock. He shook his head sadly. Then anger replaced it. ‘That’s not fair! Why should I feel guilty?’

  Margaret had taken his arm and now she squeezed it. “What’s wrong Graham?”

  “They didn’t even say ‘thank you’,” he said bitterly. “Nor did Max.”

  Margaret gave his arm another squeeze and hugged it. He shook his head sadly, then stopped and met her eyes.

  “You’re a good kid. I like you.”

  Margaret’s eyes searched his for a moment, then watered. She looked down but she smiled. She put her head on his shoulder and he patted her hair. Then he regretted his emotional impulse and continued walking.

  To change the subject he said, “What about the race? Can you come?”

  Margaret shook her head sadly. “Mum says no, and dad does what she wants.”

  “Too bad! I hope they catch that shark.”

  They sat side by side at the entrance till the others came out. Graham’s mother came out first and sat with them. Graham made no attempt to move away from Margaret. He knew his mother liked her - and somehow it just felt right.

  Then the others came out and they said ‘Good night’. It was a subdued group that drove to Margaret’s home. Graham held her hand for a moment as she got out.

  Margaret gave a sad smile. “Poor Max,” she said, then she turned quickly and went up the stairs to where her mother waited.

  Graham felt quite depressed for the rest of the evening and he slept poorly.

  Wednesday came. Once again Graham was driven to school although his feet were rapidly mending. The novelty had now largely worn off so that Graham found himself ignored by the swarming throng, which both relieved and peeved him.

  “Any luck Stephen?” he asked, as soon as he met his chum.

  “No. Sorry. Mum might have weakened, but dad is solid. No,” Stephen replied. He looked down and shook his head.

  “Who can be our fourth crewman?” Graham asked Peter later. “What about my brother Alex?”

  Peter nodded. “Be better than my twerp of a little brother,” he replied. “How about Roger? Is he allowed?”

  Roger was. So that only left two - Margaret in the girls’ crew and Max’s replacement.

  CHAPTER 35

  THE LAST RACE

  Andrew looked around. “I don’t suppose Max will be out of hospital in time,” he said.

  Peter shook his head. “No chance, and he wouldn’t be allowed to sail anyway.”

  Blake chuckled. “They could give him a wooden leg, like a pirate of old.”

  “Peg-leg Pete,” Andrew added.

  “Not Pete, Max!” Graham replied with a laugh.

  “We could always chuck Pete over for the shark,” Blake suggested.

  “Seriously though,” Andrew persisted. “If need be, we will race with crews of three. We will draw straws and drop one to make it even.”

  Graham shook his head. “We really need four to work the old Mudskipper properly. I will get my brother Alex to do it.”

  “That still leaves the girls one short,” Peter reminded.

  Graham pondered this and came to a decision. “I will go and ask Margaret’s parents,” he said. It was a long shot but worth a try.

  The conversation wandered onto other topics. The rest of the day dragged by. After school Graham was met by his mother, for which he was glad, because he had glimpsed Burford and his cronies lurking over at the corner shop.

  When he got home he pressured his big brother. “Come on Alex. It’s only for one race.”

  Alex was reluctant. Graham persisted. “Be fair. I play bloody cricket when you want another team member.”

  Alex snorted and laughed. “You are about as willing as a pig on its way to the butchers, and as good as a man short!”

  “Oh, come on! Please! We need someone.”

  To Graham’s surprise his parents both weighed in on his side. The topic came up at tea time and their mother insisted. “I think you should Alex. It’s only a few hours on Sunday and you will still have time to go and see your friends.”

  Their father leaned forward. “You will Alex. I insist.”

  Kylie clapped when Alex made a face but reluctantly agreed. “Now all we need is one more girl. Could you talk to Margaret’s parents please mum and dad?”

  They promised to. Graham sat and ate quietly, savouring the small win. Then he looked at his father. “Will you be there dad? When do you sail again?”

  “Yes son. I’ll be there. We are doing an engine overhaul and won’t have a cargo before next week,” Captain Kirk replied.

  Graham felt pleased. He smiled and was happy for the rest of the night.

  Thursday morning brought the still unresolved problem of a fourth crewmember for the girls’ cat. Kylie went into the attack before breakfast. “Mum, please ask Mrs Lake. Please mum.”

  “Yes, alright. I still don’t like the idea though. It’s dangerous.”

  “Today, mum, please,” Kylie persisted.

  “Oh alright! Now eat your breakfast and stop pestering me,” Mrs Kirk cried.

  Kylie didn’t let up. “After school mum. I will come too.”

  “Oh all right!” Mrs Kirk cried. “I will pick you up from school.”

  “Pick me up too please mum,” Graham asked.

  “I thought you wanted to walk today? How is that foot of yours this morning?”

  “OK mum. I’ll come to Margaret’s too,” Graham replied. Kylie raised her eyebrows and looked at him quizzically. Mrs Kirk smiled and turned back to the stove.

  It was a dull day at school for Graham. There was only one incident of note, when he encountered Burford on the ‘F’ Block veranda.

  Burford sneered. “Ah, here’s the big hero!” he teased. “You’ll get yours, you gutless little turd!”

  Graham made no reply and Burford did not linger as Peter and Stephen were close behind. The incident just upset and annoyed Graham for a while.

  After school he waited for his mother. She had to collect Kylie from Primary School. Roger waited with him until they arrived. Graham then hobbled over to the car and was driven to Margaret’s house. Margaret’s mother was expecting them and both Margaret and her little sister Ann were there.

  Margaret was obviously very pleased to see Graham and looked all co
ncern as he hopped up the front steps. She then sat next to him on the sofa and Ann looked from one to the other and grinned. Afternoon tea was produced and the mothers chatted away about everything but sailing while the children became more and more impatient.

  Graham kept giving his mother meaningful looks which she ignored. Finally, in exasperation, he said, “Mum!”

  His mother looked at him, then at Margaret’s mother. The two mothers smiled.

  “Don’t be impatient Graham,” Mrs Kirk said. “Besides, we have already discussed the sailing race on the phone and decided.”

  They all sat up.

  Kylie looked worried. “Please mum. What did you decide?” she asked anxiously.

  “Well, we did discuss what would happen if you or Margaret fell overboard,” Mrs Kirk said.

  “You mean sharks?” Graham asked.

  Before either mother could speak Ann piped up. “Even a shark would have better taste than to bite ‘Tubby’. She would make it sick.”

  Margaret blushed a deep crimson at her little sister’s use of her family nickname and she aimed a punch at her upper arm. Ann dodged away.

  Mrs Lake raised a warning finger. “Ann! Don’t be horrible,” she said.

  Graham felt a bit embarrassed too. Margaret was a bit tubby.

  He said, “They will be alright Mrs Lake. Nobody will fall overboard. We will all be too scared. Please, may Margaret be allowed to sail in this last race?”

  Mrs Lake smiled at him. “Yes she may. But if she falls in don’t you dare go diving in and risking your life for her.”

  Graham wanted to vow, like a true knight, to promise to lay down his life for his true love but knew it would sound silly. Instead he blushed and muttered that he would not, “and anyway I’ve lost my knife.”

  “Oh! Your knife,” Mrs Lake said. She looked at Margaret who stood up and left the room. Graham was mystified but within a minute she was back holding a small parcel. She held this out shyly to Graham. “For you,” she said, blushing furiously.

  Graham unwrapped the present with fumbling fingers. It was a new pocket knife. It wasn’t quite the size or style he would have chosen but it had a good solid blade of stainless steel. For a moment he was quite overcome with confusion.