FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA

by Jennifer Bohnet

  The plan is for me to get alongside and get him on board Clotted Cream. Then we wait for an Australian frigate that’s been asked to divert and assist.

  They’ll take Jean-Paul on board and I’ll sail back to my last official position and head for New Zealand again.

  I’ve re-angled the video camera on the mast so I should have a record of what happens when I reach Jean-Paul. We’re so far from land I know there won’t be any TV crews around to film any drama.

  Dexter has warned me, though, that they’ll be waiting for me in their hordes when I finally get to New Zealand.

  I’m going to have a bowl of pasta and a quick sleep before I have a mammoth session on the satellite phone. I know Mum and Tom will be anxious for news and Dexter always rings to wish me goodnight.

  It was a question of all hands to the mop and broom in the boatyard once the forensic teams had given them the all clear and the insurance assessor had been.

  As Cassie threw some charred wood into the rubbish skip Bill had organised, the telephone rang.

  It was Dexter.

  “What’s happening?” Cassie asked anxiously.

  “Polly’s due to reach Jean-Paul in a few hours and everything is looking good. She was fine when I spoke to her this morning. She’s a bit apprehensive as to what she’s going to find but Jean-Paul says the yacht is in a worse state than he is.”

  Although Dexter spoke confidently there was a certain edge to his voice and Cassie knew he, too, would be worried about Polly. She’d noticed how close they were becoming when she’d flown out to South Africa for the end of the first leg of the race.

  “She’s going to ring you later.”

  “Thanks, Dexter. I’ll speak to you again soon.”

  As Cassie put the phone down Tom came struggling into the boatyard on his crutches.

  “Mum I need to talk to you.”

  Cassie threw another piece of charred wood in the direction of the rubbish skip and waited.

  “You know I’m due to have these things off soon?” He tapped the plaster on his legs.

  Cassie nodded.

  “The thing is, I’d like to take Mai away afterwards, just for a few days.”

  “Good idea,” Cassie said.

  “But there are a couple of problems,” Tom went on. “One is the barge. We have bookings so it would mean a lot of extra work for you. And you’re already doing so much.”

  “Don’t worry about me,” Cassie said quickly. “Besides, Anna will come and give me a hand. She likes being here. Next problem?”

  “Polly’s Operational Room. Because of this rescue and the fact that Race HQ are currently in constant contact with her, it doesn’t have to be manned twenty-four hours a day. But you would need to switch on and update the computer a couple of times a day.”

  “I’m sure I can manage that if you show me how before you leave. Where are you going?”

  “I thought we might go up to London – see a show, do some shopping, be a tourist for a day or two. I think Mai misses city life occasionally.”

  “It sounds fun. Why don’t you see how you manage when the plaster comes off and then decide on a date? I’m here and happy to handle things.”

  “Thanks Mum.”

  “Where’s Mai now?”

  “She’s gone out to the barge with a large box of chocolates and a bottle of wine to say thank you for raising the alarm.” Tom glanced around.

  “Bad as it is, it could have been a lot worse. Do the police reckon they’ll catch whoever did it?”

  “It’s too soon to say.”

  Just then the phone rang again.

  “I’ll see you later Mum,” and Tom manoeuvred his way out of the shed.

  “Cassie, I’ve just heard about the fire,” Doug’s voice made Cassie jump. She’d been expecting James.

  “Is there anything I can do? I could send some of the crew over to help clear up.”

  “Thanks for the offer, Doug, but we’re fine,” Cassie said.

  “Where are you?”

  Doug spent so much time travelling on business she was never quite sure where he was.

  “Brittany. I wanted to ask you to pencil a date in your diary.”

  Cassie waited.

  “Normally all my business dinners are in London and Vanessa acts as my hostess.”

  There was a hesitant pause as before Doug continued.

  “I’ve got an important awards dinner coming up in Cornwall and I know Vanessa is unavailable. Cassie, would you consider being my partner and hostess for the evening?”

  “Oh Doug, I don’t know if I’m up to business dinners.”

  “Where’s it being held? And what’s the date?”

  “Royal Carlton.” Doug named the most prestigious hotel and conference centre in the region. “The eighteenth of next month.”

  Cassie gulped. The Royal Carlton?

  “May I think about it, Doug? It’s not really my scene…”

  “Cassie I need a partner for the evening and I would love it to be you. And, of course, as this is a business dinner, all expenses will be on me. I’ll even treat you to a new frock, if you like. I’m back on Megabyte at the end of the week, so come for supper one evening and let me know then.”

  The next day Cassie drove into town to see Anna. Glebe House was virtually finished and Anna was keen to give Cassie the guided tour.

  “I’ve put a couple of chairs in the summerhouse. I thought we’d have our coffee down there. How’s the cleaning up after the fire going?”

  “We’re nearly finished. Dad’s a bit depressed. The thieves got away with more than he’d originally reckoned and the insurance company are querying everything. But things should be back to normal soon. I just hope they catch the culprits.”

  “Any developments on that front?”

  Cassie shook her head.

  “No. They’re working on the theory the thieves used a small boat that they keep hidden somewhere. James’s been doing a detailed inventory of all the small boats he sees on the river and inspecting the smaller creeks for any hidden craft.”

  “How is James?”

  “Fine, I think. Polly has agreed to me using her yacht, It’s Mine! while she’s away and I’ve entered a couple of races in the local regatta. James’s crewing for me. That is if he’s calmed down and forgiven me. I haven’t plucked up the courage yet to phone him.”

  Anna raised her eyebrows enquiringly.

  “Last time I saw him we had a blazing row,” Cassie explained.

  “What about?”

  Cassie looked at her friend wryly.

  “Doug persuaded me to attend an important business dinner with him next month - all expenses paid, including a new evening dress. James is furious.”

  “I suppose he’s jealous.” Anna smiled gently.

  “Yes, possibly a bit,” Cassie conceded. “But he also thinks Doug is using me, and he hates the thought of him buying me an expensive outfit. I ended up telling him it was none of his business.”

  “Which it isn’t, is it?” Anna said.

  Cassie shook her head. She took a sip of her coffee before replying.

  “Actually, I’m not comfortable with accepting the new outfit offer, either. Hotel and travel expenses are one thing, but clothes…” She shook her head doubtfully.

  “Anyway, the whole thing has upset James and I’m really sorry about that. Honestly life was a lot simpler when I simply stayed at home.”

  “Maybe. But you weren’t really living then were you?” Anna pointed out quietly.

  Cassie smiled.

  “True. It took me a long time to realise it, though.” She stood up and put her cup on the tray.

  “Thanks for the coffee. I’d better be getting back. Now, are you sure about coming up to the boatyard while Tom and Mai are in London?”

  “Positive. How’s Tom coping now the plaster is off?”

  “Fine. His legs are weak of course, but he’s got lots of exercises to do. The biggest problem is making him take thin
gs slowly. He’s desperate to get back into the swing of things. And both of them are looking forward to their break.”

  “I’ll see you bright and early Tuesday morning then,” Anna said.

  “And, Cassie, phone James and clear the air.”

  By Tuesday morning, however, Cassie still hadn’t contacted James. She was feeling very guilty and knew that her apology was overdue.

  Having taken Tom and Mai to the station to catch the ten o’clock London train, she decided to call in at his office.

  James greeted her with a big smile.

  “Cassie I was going to ring. Come in and have a coffee.”

  “James, I wanted to apologise,” Cassie began, but he interrupted.

  “I’m the one who should be apologising. I over reacted,” he said. “Much as I would like it to be my business, as you pointed out, who you see has nothing to do with me.”

  “I’m really sorry I’ve upset you,” Cassie said. “I know it’s because you care and are concerned for me.”

  James brushed her words aside.

  “Do you still want me to crew for you this weekend?” he asked instead.

  “Please. I can’t possibly manage without you.”

  The look of longing in James’s eyes at her words brought a flush to Cassie’s cheeks. What on earth was she thinking of, upsetting such a lovely man.

  Impulsively she went across and gave him a gentle kiss.

  “James you are a very special friend.”

  “You know I want more than that, Cassie,” James said quietly and drew her towards him in a tight hug.

  “This is not the place to tell you again how I feel, but you know I’m always here for you.”

  His unexpected kiss he gave her was not as gentle as the one she’d given him, but Cassie found herself relaxing into his embrace.

  As James reluctantly let her go, Cassie changed the subject.

  “Any news on the job front?”

  “I should hear this week about the redundancy package they’re prepared to offer me. Then it’s decision time.”

  A buzz and flashing light on the office intercom caught his attention.

  “Excuse me, Cassie.” James picked up his internal phone.

  He listened intently.

  “I’ll be with you in about fifteen minutes,” he said, then turned to Cassie.

  “I’m sorry, I’ll have to go. There’s been an incident up river. Your burglars are possibly involved.”

  Cassie opened his office door.

  “Take care, James. I’ll see you on board It’s Mine! Saturday. Eight o’clock OK?”

  “Oh, I’ll be in touch before then. And I’ll let you know if there are any developments as far as your burglary is concerned.” A quick peck on her cheek and he was running downstairs towards the quay and his launch.

  Watching him go, Cassie felt a surge of affection for him. She really regretted hurting him over Doug and this dinner dance.

  Fleetingly, she considered telling Doug she’d changed her mind, but decided against it.

  The misunderstanding and harsh words between herself and James had been cleared up and they were friends again, which was all that mattered.

  Twelve thousand miles away in the Southern Ocean, Polly was struggling to bring Clotted Cream alongside Jean-Paul’s stricken yacht.

  A change of wind direction had delayed her original estimated time of arrival by a couple of hours and now the same wind was hampering the rescue operation itself.

  As she struggled in the large swell that was rocking both yachts, she was very aware of how ill Jean-Paul looked. He was clearly in no fit state to give her much assistance. Although judging by his greeting, he still had his sense of humour.

  “Hi Little Polly. What kept you?”

  Standing on Clotted Cream’s deck trying to judge the right moment for throwing a line across to the other yacht, she could hear the ominous sound of the damaged keel banging. That could mean only one thing.

  Water would be seeping slowly into the hull and it could only be a matter of time before the yacht sank. They needed to work fast.

  Somehow she was going to have to haul Jean-Paul aboard Clotted Cream despite his obvious injuries.

  Several waterproof bags were lying on the floor of the cockpit. Jean-Paul had stowed as much of his gear as possible, including his laptop and yachts log. Now, as Polly threw him the line, he clumsily tied bags onto it ready to be hauled across the heaving gap between the two boats.

  At last Jean-Paul gave her a thumbs up sign.

  “Winch away!” he yelled.

  Minutes later his dripping possessions were on the floor of Clotted Cream’s cabin having safely survived being dragged through the water. Polly looked across at Jean-Paul.

  “You’re next. Unless you fancy swimming across?”

  His reply was blown away in a gust of wind, but he began the difficult task of hooking his safety harness on to the line.

  The heavy swell was lifting both yachts, not in unison but one after another. Polly wished the gap between the yachts was smaller but it was impossible in these huge seas. For a heart stopping moment as she slowly winched him across, Jean-Paul disappeared when a huge swell engulfed him.

  Forcing herself to keep on turning the winch, she willed him to reappear and allowed herself a small sigh of relief when she saw the orange flash of his lifejacket.

  Turning the winch as quickly as she could, she watched as the line pulled Jean-Paul closer and closer to Clotted Cream and the point where she would finally be able to haul him on board.

  Half an hour later, they both collapsed on the deck of Clotted Cream - Polly from sheer exhaustion and Jean-Paul from the huge amount of pain he was in.

  Polly tried to assess his injuries and handed him some painkillers.

  “Here, take these and let me see if I can do something about that gash on your leg. Not to mention your hand.”

  Jean-Paul gratefully swallowed the tablets.

  “I’m eternally grateful,” he said quietly. “Thanks Polly.”

  “Hey, they’re only tablets” Polly was about to say, when she realised that he was thanking her for rescuing him. Embarrassed, she patted him on the shoulder instead.

  He flinched in pain.

  “I think I’ve broken my shoulder, too.”

  “I’ll let Race HQ know you’re on board and see if they know when the frigate is likely to arrive. Their doctor will soon sort you out. But first I’ll put the coffee on,” Polly said.

  “I think we both deserve a cup. I might just put a splash of my emergency brandy in it.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Will you cope all right with these steps?” Mai looked anxiously at Tom.

  “I think so. I’m getting used to trusting my legs again and not leaning on a crutch,” Tom grinned at her.

  “Anyway there’s a handrail.” He gratefully hauled himself up towards the theatre restaurant where he and Mai had plans to enjoy a leisurely meal before the play’s evening performance began.

  It was the last day of their break and Tom knew that Mai had enjoyed the bright lights and town life.

  When they’d met and fallen in love last year, he’d told her about the sleepy corner of the West Country he came from. She’d laughed and confessed to being an out an out townie.

  “Mai, you don’t have any regrets do you?”

  “Regrets? What sort?” Mai sounded surprised.

  “Marrying me. Live in the country. Giving up all this.”

  “Tom I love you. Where you are is where I want to be. Sure, I did miss the social life initially. But I’ve made lots of friends back home now, and I feel really settled at the boatyard.” She paused and looked at him.

  ‘It’s the first time I’ve ever had much of a home life. That more than compensates for any lack of shops or entertainment.”

  She reached out and held his hand across the table.

  “My life has never been this good. And now you’ve recovered from your accident and th
e baby is due to put in an appearance soon, it can only get better.”

  “You know…” but whatever Mai thought was lost as somebody at the bar caught her attention.

  “Isn’t that Sebastian over there?”

  Tom looked around.

  “Yes it is. Mum said he was due back in the UK now his exercise is over. I’m surprised he hasn’t been in touch. Shall I ask him to join us?”

  Mai shook her head. “No. Best not. I think he’s got company.”

  Tom shifted slightly in his chair and they both watched as Sebastian affectionately kissed a tall brunette and put a proprietary arm around her shoulders.

  Moments later, the couple left the bar and vanished into the theatre auditorium.

  Mai looked at Tom.

  “Mmm. What d’you make of that then?”

  But Tom was speechless.

  “Cassie quick! Polly’s on the news! They’re carrying a report of her arrival in New Zealand. They’re going to show her rescue video, too,” James called out as he turned up the volume on the TV.

  It was Saturday evening and Cassie and James had returned to the cottage after competing with It’s Mine! in the local regatta. They were very pleased with themselves having come in third.

  Now, they watched the TV footage of the harbour-side crowded with people waving flags and cheering to welcome Polly. Then the cameras swung across to the official launch for a close up of Jean-Paul. One shoulder was heavily strapped and his right wrist was in plaster but there was a broad smile on his face.

  “This is a man who is determined to welcome Little Polly to New Zealand and to say thank you publicly,” the commentator’s voice continued.

  “Rescued by Polly and then flown here to New Zealand by the Australian navy for urgent medical treatment, Jean-Paul has spent the last few days anticipating his saviour’s arrival. He’s had time to re-live these scenes and to reflect on how lucky he is to be alive.”

  The pictures of cheering crowds faded into Polly’s video.

  Cassie watched in silence. Looking at the huge seas and the way the two yachts were at the mercy of the elements, she realised Polly had played down the whole incident when she’d spoken to her. The rescue had been a lot more dangerous than she’d let on.