FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA

by Jennifer Bohnet

  Cassie shook her head.

  At the restaurant, Cassie popped into the cloakroom to freshen up. When she made her way back to the table, she found Vanessa had joined Doug.

  “Hi. I took a chance Dad would be here. I know it’s a favourite watering hole on his drive south. There are a couple of things I need to discuss with him. Didn’t expect to see you.”

  “I didn’t expect him to meet me at the airport either,” Cassie said lightly.

  Had she imagined it, or was there a definite edge to Vanessa’s voice?

  “You could have called me on the mobile if things were that urgent,” Doug pointed out brusquely.

  “I know Dad,” Vanessa said, “but I wanted to see you.” She threaded her arm through her father’s, smiling up at him.

  “You’ve been in Scotland for ages.”

  They ate their meal, which was as delicious as Doug had promised it would be, and Cassie sat and listened as Vanessa firmly kept the conversation business orientated, despite Doug’s attempts to include Cassie in a more general way.

  Doug was clearly irritated.

  “Right, that’s enough business talk, Vanessa,” he said before their desserts arrived. “Poor Cassie must be wondering where our manners are.”

  “Oh Cassie I’m so sorry,” Vanessa cooed. “Do tell us about your holiday. Dad and I love Cape Town, don’t we? Do you remember the time…” and she launched into a rambling reminiscence of a long ago holiday incident.

  Cassie, finding herself once again excluded from the conversation between daughter and father, began to wish for the meal to be over. Why was Vanessa being so rude? And why was Doug letting her get away with it?

  Part of the answer came when Doug excused himself and went to pay the bill at the bar.

  “Daddy has never looked at another woman since Mummy left, so don’t get any ideas about bagging a rich husband,” Vanessa said aggressively.

  Cassie was completely taken aback. Her first instinct was to tell this disagreeable young woman to mind her own business in no uncertain terms. However, she managed to keep her temper under control, and when she spoke, her voice was calm.

  “Vanessa, your father and I met only recently and he’s been very kind to me and my family. I’ve been on my own for twenty years and I assure you I’m not desperate for a husband, rich or otherwise. The idea that Doug regards me as anything other than a friend is ludicrous.” Cassie took a breath.

  “I will just say this. Don’t you think your father is entitled to choose his own friends, without your interference? Maybe after all the years on his own, he’s feeling lonely - especially now you and your sister live your own lives.” She paused.

  “I’ll leave you to say goodbye to your father. Perhaps you’d be kind enough to tell him I’ll see him by the car. Goodbye Vanessa.” Cassie turned away.

  By the time Doug joined her ten minutes later, Cassie had recovered her composure.

  “Thank you for lunch.” She greeted him with a smile.

  Doug put the key into the ignition, but instead of starting the car, he sat back, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

  “Cassie, I can only apologise for Vanessa. I had no idea she would waylay me here. Or that she would behave as she did. I’d hoped she’d outgrown the antagonism she’s always shown towards any of my female friends.

  “The last thing I want is for her to frighten you away.”

  “Doug, it’s all right,” Cassie said, touching his arm. “I’ll survive. And we can still be friends. The only thing that bothers me is, why didn’t you stand up to her in the restaurant?”

  Doug looked at her.

  “If it had happened somewhere private I would have. But you have no idea of the scene Vanessa can throw if she wants to. I had no intention of subjecting you to that in public.”

  He started the engine and slowly reversed the car out of its parking space.

  “I suppose, I made the classic mistake when their mother left of over compensating the girls. Caroline coped really well but Vanessa has always had a possessive streak and I did nothing to curb it. I guess I was out of my depth. I should have done things differently.”

  “We can only do our best in the circumstances at the time. Looking back, wanting to change things is a futile exercise.” Cassie sighed.

  “I can promise you one thing, Cassie, the next time we have a meal together, it will be just the two of us. Now, let’s get you home. It’s been a long day for you.”

  Cassie, happy to sit watching the countryside flash by, let her thoughts drift. She’d spent most of the flight wondering about Becky and Trev’s tempting offer. Now, though, as the car crossed the familiar Somerset Devonshire border a comfortable feeling came over her.

  She was nearly home. This was where she belonged and where she’d build the new life she intended to forge for herself.

  Going to South Africa to live was a tempting idea, but not one she intended to put into practice. She wanted to stay in Devon.

  A week later, Cassie was regarding her handiwork in the sitting-room at River View. It had taken two days of intensive labour to transform the place. She’d cleaned and scrubbed the kitchen and the bathroom and had painted the sitting room a delicate shade of primrose yellow. The new carpet was due tomorrow.

  She jumped as Solo barked and a loud knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

  “It’s only me,” Anna called. “I wondered if you had the time and energy for a walk. Hey, this place looks great.”

  “I can’t believe I’m moving here before you get the keys of Glebe House,” Cassie said. “Don’t forget, if you want a hand cleaning and painting, I’m your woman.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” Anna said. “Cassie are you sure you’re happy about living here on your own - especially after the break in?”

  “I don’t think I’d be happy without Solo,” Cassie said slowly. “But I’ve got her and the telephone. Also, it’s the first break in all the years Dad’s owned the place, so I think it was just an isolated incident - some kid running away from home or something.”

  “Have you seen James since you’ve been back?” Anna asked.

  Cassie shook her head. “I’ve spoken to him on the phone, but things have been so hectic I don’t seem to have had a moment to spare.”

  Solo bounded ahead of them down the river path leaving Cassie and Anna to follow. One of the large tourist boats was making its way down river, loudspeaker booming information.

  As the boat drew level with Holdsworth Boatyard and Marina, the loudspeaker crackled into life again.

  “Here on the right is the childhood home of Polly Lewis the yachtswoman. It was on this river that Polly learned to sail. Now she’s the youngest skipper taking part in a gruelling solo race around the world.”

  Cassie looked at Anna in amazement before bursting into laughter.

  “I don’t believe it. Polly’s a local tourist attraction. I can’t wait to tell her.”

  The sun was setting, throwing Table Mountain into silhouette against the evening sky as Polly made her way towards the yacht club. All around the lights of the city were beginning to twinkle with their nocturnal invitations to ‘come and socialise’.

  Smiling to herself, Polly remembered the evening Dexter had taken her and Cassie on a whirlwind exploration of the city’s nightlife. It was two o’clock in the morning before he’d lead them back to the hotel, totally exhausted.

  It was Dexter who’d taken them around during the daytime too, showing them the sights. A visit out to Robbens Island, a drive along the Stellenbosch Wine Route and of course the cable car up Table Mountain.

  He’d spent as much time as he could with them during Cassie’s visit. Since she’d left, Dexter had returned to his mountain of paperwork and Polly had seen little of him.

  The days had passed in a blur of chores as she and the shore crew worked all hours preparing ‘Clotted Cream” for the next stage of the race. Tonight, though, just a day away from the start, she was meeti
ng Dexter for a final mooch around Cape Town.

  “Just you and me Polly,” he’d said. “No shore team. No other skippers.”

  Dexter was waiting for her as promised outside the Yacht Club.

  “I thought we’d just wander and listen to some jazz down on the waterfront,” he said, taking her hand.

  “Have you talked to Tom yet about your route?”

  “He e-mailed his recommendations this morning. You’ve sailed this route before too haven’t you?”

  Dexter nodded.

  “I always think of this section as offering some seriously good sailing, although it is dangerous, no doubt about it. I was fortunate enough to have reasonable weather when I did it.”

  He looked at Polly. “If you’re really lucky you’ll get to see the Southern Lights. An incredible experience.”

  Further along the quay they found a table at one of the many cafes and Dexter ordered coffee.

  “Are you flying straight to New Zealand from here or do you get time off to go home whilst we battle our way through the Southern Ocean?” Polly asked.

  “I have to stay in touch in case there are any emergencies, but in theory I’ve got two weeks to call my own. I’m going back to the UK to see my family. I’m also trying to sell my apartment in New York so I guess I should try and get over there too.”

  “Are you buying somewhere else in America?”

  Dexter shrugged. “I don’t know. My contract with the race organisers finishes after this race. I have to decide whether to renew it and stay in America, or join my Dad on the family farm.”

  “I thought you loved being involved with boats?”

  “I do, but the problem is I don’t get to do much sailing these days. If I take a regular land based job, I could at least do some pleasure sailing. What about you? Do you have any plans for when the race is over?”

  “Not really. Hopefully I’ll finish in a good position and somebody will offer me a boat of my own.”

  She shrugged.

  “If not, I’ll probably do some more crewing and help Tom and Mai build up the sailing school. I know Mum favours that option,” and she smiled at Dexter.

  “Are you still in touch with Sebastian?” Dexter asked unexpectedly.

  “He phoned me yesterday actually. Believe it or not, he’s still trying to persuade me to give up the race.”

  She took a breath.

  “I’ll e-mail him again once I’m at sea and try to get him to accept the fact that my answer to everything he’s asked has to be no.”

  She remembered the ring in the drawer at home and added, “But I guess he won’t admit it’s all over between us until I tell him face to face.”

  There was silence for a moment before Dexter stood up and held out his hand.

  “Come on lets walk back to Clotted Cream.”

  Sitting out on Clotted Cream’s deck an hour later, Dexter’s arm casually around her shoulders, Polly felt a moment of pure happiness sweep through her. This was an evening she would remember and relive many times as she made her way across the Southern Ocean.

  She turned towards him as Dexter gently pulled her closer.

  “I’ll be waiting for you in New Zealand Little Polly,” he whispered, before kissing her and holding her tight.

  “Sail safe.”

  Chapter Ten

  Cassie finally moved into River View Cottage the day Polly set sail from Cape Town for New Zealand.

  Earlier, she’d been in the kitchen at Boatyard House with Mai and Tom, avidly watching the Internet link-up with its minute by minute up date of the race.

  To everyone’s delight Polly managed to cross the start line in second place, sandwiched between Colin on ‘Flight of the Seagull” in the lead and Nigel on ‘World Wanderer’ in third place. The first three in from the previous leg were the first three out across the line.

  Tom had quickly sent an e-mail.

  “Congratulations on your excellent start Polly. Good Luck for the next 7000 miles. Speak to you later. Love from everybody.”

  Now, as Cassie emptied the last of the boxes and put her books and photographs on the newly built shelves in the sitting room at the cottage, she firmly pushed worrying thoughts about Polly out of her mind. There was, after all, very little she could do if anything were to go wrong - which it wouldn’t.

  Going through to the tiny kitchen, Cassie made herself a cup of coffee and checked the time. Anna had been in Wales for a few days, organising the removal of some of her things.

  Cassie had promised to collect her from the station. If she wasn’t going to be late she’d better get a move on.

  “How was it?” she asked as she helped Anna put her suitcases in the car boot.

  “Rained non-stop as usual.” Anna smiled. “It was great to see everyone, though. David is bringing the last of my stuff down next week. I’ve warned him he’ll be sleeping on the floor - there isn’t a bed in the spare room yet.”

  “There’s always my old room at Tom and Mai’s,” Cassie said. “Solo and I finally moved into River View Cottage today.”

  “Congratulations. Are you fed up with decorating or can you face giving me a hand at Glebe House?”

  “Mornings are out this week I’m afraid. There’s a party of 3 on the barge who want sailing lessons. But I can definitely offer my services a couple of afternoons. When are you planning to move in?”

  “Probably the day the furniture arrives. I hoped to stay on at Boatyard House few more days – if it’s OK with Tom and Mai.”

  “I can’t see it being a problem,” Cassie said.

  Declining coffee when she dropped Anna at the house, Cassie decided to leave her car in the garage at the yard and walk back to Riverside Cottage.

  It felt strange, closing the kitchen door behind her and leaving everyone talking away in what she still thought of as her kitchen, to go back to the empty cottage. Fleetingly, Cassie wondered if she’d done the right thing.

  Was she going to be lonely living on her own? At least this evening it wouldn’t be a problem. She had a guest for supper.

  Music playing in the background, scented candles to keep the twilight midges at bay, table set for two on the small patio, supper sizzling in the oven, wine opened to breathe and Cassie was ready.

  She saw the launch coming up river and she and Solo walked down to the small landing stage to meet and help tie it up.

  “I hope it’s still warm enough to eat outside,” she said. “But if you’re cold we can carry the table indoors.”

  “Outside is fine,” James said, lightly brushing her cheek with his lips.

  “Do I get a guided tour before we eat?”

  “It won’t take long,” Cassie laughed. “What you see is all there is. Oh, before I forget, I have a present for you from South Africa. I’m sorry I’m a bit late giving it to you.”

  “You’ve been busy getting this place ready and I’ve, well I’ve had other things on my mind, too,” James said.

  As Cassie had hoped, James loved the original watercolour painting of an old ‘J’ class yacht sailing hard, its decks awash, off the South African coast.

  “I thought it would go well with the rest of your collection.”

  “Pride of place for this. Thank you so much Cassie.” James gave her a grateful hug.

  They’d almost finished supper when Cassie asked, “What’s been on your mind these past few weeks, then?”

  “The powers that be are trying to re-arrange the management of all the harbours along this part of the coast. Their aim is to cut expenses – and reduce manpower.” James looked at Cassie.

  “Their latest proposal is to combine my job with that of Harbour Master for the Old Port.”

  “But the Old Port is fifteen miles down the coast. You can’t be in two places at once. And think of the waste of time commuting between the two. It’s just silly.”

  “I know. You know. But the committee is determined. The question now is, which Harbour Masters job is going to disappear?”

/>   Cassie looked at him as he abstractedly re-arranged the salt and pepper pots on the table.

  “Perhaps, more to the point is the question: do I want the job even if they offer it to me?” James glanced up at her.

  “I’ve had enough stress with just one harbour to look after. If they offer me redundancy, I think I’m going to take it.”

  “Do you have any idea what you’d do afterwards?”

  James shook his head.

  “Depending on the pay-out, I could look around for some part-time work.”

  Look around? Cassie was surprised at how desolate she felt at the thought of James moving out of her life. But his next words allayed her fears.

  “I’ll certainly be free to do more sailing, which will be a bonus. Incidentally, are you free to crew for me in a race this Saturday? It’s the course out in the bay towards the Skerries.”

  “As long as we’re back by about six o’clock. It’s my birthday next week and I gather Tom and Dad are organising a dinner at the Seafarer’s for me on Saturday evening. Can you come?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it. In fact I’ll be your chauffeur for the evening.”

  “Thanks,” Cassie smiled.

  “Is Saturday your actual birthday?”

  “No, it’s on Wednesday. But partying is always better at the weekends. Nobody has to get up for work the next day.”

  Cassie shivered suddenly.

  “Come on let’s take our coffee indoors. I’m sure you’re feeling cold by now. I know I am.”

  She stood up and led the way into the sitting room.

  EXTRACT FROM POLLY’S PRIVATE JOURNAL

  Sunday 20th

  “Well at least I made a good start again. It was a shame I couldn’t get across the line in front of ‘Flight of the Seagull’ - but I’ve got the next seven thousand miles to catch Colin up and pass him.

  I’ve settled back into my daily routine and I’ve even e-mailed my latest piece to the newspaper a day early. They’ve asked if I’d be prepared to visit some schools during the stopover in Brazil and give talks to the children.

  I’ll have to think about that. I’ve got to reach New Zealand first and then make my way around Cape Horn. Everybody says the leg from New Zealand to Brazil is the toughest of the race.