Delta-Victor

by Clare Revell

  Jim held her arm tighter. “After breakfast. Then you can go. The rest of us are going fishing on the beach. We only have enough food for breakfast.”

  “I don’t have a choice, do I?”

  “No, you don’t. After you.”

  Lou sighed. “You seriously want me to go all the way back up those stairs and then back down again?”

  ”OK.” Jim yelled up the stairs to the others. “We’ll eat down here as soon as you lot get up.”

  “Two secs,” Staci yelled back.

  Lou slowly made her way down the corridor and sat on the steps of the building, gazing out over the sunlit base.

  As the others joined her, Jim said grace.

  Ailsa took the remaining four portions out of the bag and gave them one each.

  Lou immediately gave hers to Staci, ignoring a look from Jim that would have made anyone else eat it.

  Staci finished eating. “If that was breakfast, roll on lunch.”

  Jim shook his head. “We’ve only just finished breakfast and you’re talking about lunch.”

  “Well, I’m hungry.”

  “Well, there isn’t any more,” Lou said bluntly. “But I’m sure we’ll manage. We always do.”

  Jim looked at the others. “I’m going to try the cipher again. Then, we’re going fishing. Ailsa knows a thing or three about fishing. Lou’s right, we’ll manage. There’s bound to be fruit around somewhere anyway.”

  “You go fishing; I’m going to sit with Deefer.” Lou headed off, not giving the others a backwards glance.

  Jim sighed.

  “I’ve got the mytona,” Ailsa told him. “Go and try the Morse code and we’ll wait here for you.”

  Ailsa as it turned out, knew more than a thing or three about fishing. Between her and Jim, they caught enough for two meals. Staci alternated between watching them and building a sandcastle. Jim then built a fire on the beach. Ailsa baked half the fish in leaves and stewed the other half in some river water.

  Just as it was cooked, and Ailsa had put out the fire, Jim heard a noise. He got to his feet and looked skyward. “Is that a plane?” he asked. “It is. Look.”

  A fighter shot over from behind them and circled around over the base. Jim waved madly to get its attention. The plane circled again then disappeared off into the distance without seeing them.

  Staci’s face fell. “We should have stayed on the base.”

  Jim shoved down his disappointment and the feeling that his sister was right. Hopefully they’d have seen the smoke from the fire and know someone was here. “They’ll come back. I’ll send another message as soon as we get back. I’ll go and get Lou. Meet you at the base. You bring the fish up with you.”

  “Leave her, Jim,” Ailsa said.

  “She ought to eat. I also want to get some wood for tonight and tomorrow, so we can stay on the base.”

  Jim ran up the path past the airbase and into the forest. Lou was where he thought she’d be—sat by Deefer’s grave. “I need your help.” he panted, out of breath from having run so far.

  “I’m no good at CPR, so don’t drop dead at my feet.”

  “Oh ha, ha, ha. I need some wood taken down to the airbase. Lots of wood. Can you help?”

  Lou glared at him. “How can I carry wood?”

  “So go stay with Staci, and send Ailsa to help me please.”

  In answer, Lou got to her feet and swung herself off down the path.

  Jim looked sadly at Deefer’s grave. “We all miss you boy, but I think you’ve taken your mistress with you.”

  That evening they sat in the mess hall, which they’d discovered on the second floor. As dirty and dusty as the rest of the building, as least it gave them tables to eat off. Lou as usual, gave Staci her portion. Jim didn’t bother to argue this time.

  Ailsa found some hurricane lamps and matches to light them with. “All the comforts of home,” she said.

  “Except the fish and chip shop,” Staci said.

  “You’ve had the fish, what more do you want, kiddo?”

  “Chips. Preferably covered in salt and vinegar, wrapped in newspaper, with a wooden fork to eat them with and ice cold coke to drink. Followed by raspberry roulade with that squirty cream from the can.”

  Jim laughed. “Not me. I fancy pizza. Nine-inch deep pan with pepperoni, peppers, sweetcorn, pineapple, spicy beef and extra cheese. With ice cold orangeade.”

  “Yuk.” Ailsa said. “I’m a burger person with lots of salad.” She looked at Lou. “What do you fancy?”

  “Nothing. Feel too sick to eat and thinking about food makes me feel worse. Sorry. I think I’ll go to bed. See you in the morning.”

  She pushed her chair back and stood.

  Jim got up. “I’ll carry a lamp up for you. I want to resend the Morse signal a third time anyway.” He picked up one of the lamps. “Won’t be long,” he told the others. On the third floor, they went first to the signals room. As they walked down the corridor he looked at Lou. She looked dreadful. “Are you OK?”

  “Not really. I don’t feel so good.”

  In the signals room, Jim resent the SOS message twice, this time adding the need for urgent medical attention for Lou.

  Lou looked at him. “Do you really expect them to come?”

  “A plane came over earlier and circled the base while we were on the beach. I plan to stay here tomorrow in case they come back.”

  ~*~

  January 19, day 62. Lou writing.

  Jim’s been up since five. He resent the SOS and then went outside and started a fire in a metal drum that Ailsa found. He seems sure this plane will come back. I hope it does. It means they can go home. At seven he woke the others, and was surprised to find me awake. Once I can stand I’m going up the cliff path to sit with Deefer. I’m pretty dizzy this morning and feel really sick.

  ~*~

  Jim scanned the base compound for Lou. Ailsa stood at the fire and slowly added more wood to keep it burning. Staci, eager to help and added more wood to the pile Jim had made the previous evening. Ailsa tossed on another handful of wood. The smoke curled up into the perfectly blue sky. Seagulls swooped and called to each other.

  Jim frowned and did another three sixty. “Where’s Lou?”

  “I’ll give you three guesses, but you’ll only need one,” Ailsa said. “Shall I go after her?”

  “Leave her. When she wants company she’ll come find us—”

  He broke off as a sudden roar came from behind them and a plane flew over the base. Staci and Jim waved frantically at it. The plane circled twice and dipped its wings.

  Staci screamed. “It’s seen us. It dipped its wings. It’s seen us.”

  The plane flew lower as if inspecting the runway. Then a parcel dropped onto the runway and the plane banked, rose and disappeared.

  Jim ran onto the runway and picked up the parcel. He ran back to the others and ripped it open, his hands shaking. A box was inside. He took the lid off, revealing several packets labeled MRE and sachets of juice and an envelope.

  Jim handed the box to Ailsa and he ripped open the envelope.

  He unfolded the letter and read it, his voice shaking.

  “Anderson AFB, Guam, Jan 19th. Dear Lou, Jim, Staci, and Ailsa, We received your distress signal and have noted your position. We assumed that you would be short of food and have enclosed some rations. We will send a helicopter to pick you up at 1100 hours. Please be ready to leave when the helicopter arrives. See you then. Colonel Jack Fitzgerald.”

  When he had finished there was silence.

  Then Staci jumped up and down and screamed before hugging Jim tightly. “It’s over. We’re going home.”

  Ailsa looked at the sun. “It’s only eight. We have three hours yet.”

  “Time for breakfast then,” Jim said. “Courtesy of the United States Air Force.”

  Ailsa carried the box back inside and up to the mess hall.

  Staci said, “Shall I get Lou?”

  “No. We’ll save her some,”
Ailsa said.

  In the mess hall, Jim handed out the ration packs. They were all savory and dinner rather than breakfast, but a welcome relief from the fish and fruit. He poured the juice and they sat down to enjoy it.

  Staci asked, “Do you suppose it’s Lou’s American guy, Jim? He was Jack Fitzgerald.”

  “Could be. Although there is bound to be more than one guy called Jack Fitzgerald in the States.”

  After they had finished, Jim looked at the others. “We ought to get organized. Could you two sort out in here? Put the stuff we used away and so on? Stace, make sure the logbook is in with Lou’s sewing. I’d hate to leave anything behind.”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll go and get Lou. Tell her the good news.” He stood up and set off to find Lou, knowing full well what her reaction to going home would be.

  20

  “No,” Lou said for the fifth time. “I am not going home. I’m staying here.”

  Jim sighed. “At least come and say goodbye then. To Staci if no one else.”

  “No.”

  He waved his hands in despair. “All right then. Fine. Stay here. I give up.” Jim turned and slowly stomped down the cliff path and through the gates into the base.

  Staci looked expectantly at him. “Where is she?”

  “She can’t go as fast as Jim. She’ll be here, Stace,” Ailsa said. She could see how angry Jim was. He shot her a grateful look, as right now he couldn’t think of a nice thing to say about Lou.

  “It’s really over, isn’t it?” Staci said.

  “Yes, kiddo. Our grand adventure, begun June first last year, ends today, January nineteenth. Two hundred and thirty-four days in all. Sixty-two of those spent on the island.”

  Staci thought for a minute. “Long time. Longer for Ailsa, though.”

  “I’m not going to miss it.”

  Jim looked at Ailsa in surprise. “Why not?”

  “My parents died here. I’m hoping things will be better now. And I’m also hoping that you guys will figure in my life somehow.”

  He hugged her tightly. “Try keeping me away. I don’t intend to lose touch with you.”

  “That sounds good to me.” Ailsa hugged him back.

  Lou came down the cliff path and into the compound. “Looks cozy.”

  Jim smiled at her. “You came,” he said, relief in his voice.

  “To say goodbye. Nothing more.” She limped over to Staci and hugged her. “I would write, but the post here is dreadful.”

  Staci pushed her away. “What do you mean say goodbye?”

  “I’m not coming.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Staci said, tears filling her eyes. “You have to come.”

  Lou shook her head.

  Staci began to cry, and Jim hugged her tightly.

  “I can’t go with you,” Lou said. “I have to stay here. Please understand.”

  “I don’t understand,” Jim growled. “All I can see is how much you are hurting others. Which is more than can be said for you. It’s a shame you can’t. Go on then. Just go. Get out. We’ll be better off without you.”

  Lou swung herself slowly until her back was towards them, and headed back to the gate.

  “Jim,” Staci sobbed. “What do we do? We can’t go back without her.”

  “I don’t know, kiddo. They’ll be here soon. Maybe they can talk sense into her.”

  “Maybe.”

  Jim stood quietly, holding his sister, his mind going over their long voyage. The explosion in the docks, La Palma, the hurricane, Grand Turk, and the shipwreck. And Deefer.

  The silence was punctuated by Staci’s sobs.

  What had seemed like such a good idea after the earthquake and tsunami in May, had turned into an unmitigated disaster. Trying to find his parents had solved nothing. His boat was destroyed, Deefer had died, and Lou may as well have. She had shut them out of her life for good. He looked down at his sister. “You OK, Stace?”

  “No. I don‘t want to leave without her.”

  The sound of helicopter blades filled the air. They looked up as the big Air Force helicopter swooped in low over the base and set down gently on the runway. The rotors slowly ground to a halt. Four officers in flight suits jumped out and crossed over to them.

  Jim watched nervously. Now the moment of their deliverance was at hand, he was afraid. He knew there were consequences and repercussions to be faced because of their actions, and right now he didn’t want to face them.

  The pilot removed his mirrored shades and hooked them over the pocket of his flight suit. He smiled. “Hi, there.”

  “Jack.” Staci said. She let go off Jim’s hand and ran over to Jack. She hugged him.

  “Hello, Staci,” Jack smiled, returning the hug. He turned to his crew. “My crew, navigator/engineer Sergeant Murdoch, medic Captain Stevens and co-pilot Major Corrigan. This is Jim and Staci Kirk.”

  Jim shook Jack’s hand. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “The signature on the note,” Staci said. “Colonel Jack Fitzgerald. Is that you?”

  “At your service.” He turned to Ailsa. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

  “Ailsa Cudby.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” Jack’s gaze took in the entire area. “Where’s Lou and the dog?”

  Staci’s eyes filled again. “She’s…she’s not…”

  Jack’s piercing gaze swung back to them. “She’s not what?” he asked, punctuating every single word.

  Jim grabbed his sister’s hand and squeezed it. He tried to comfort her, despite the distress and pain filling him. “It’s OK, Stace.”

  “No, it’s not.” She looked at Jack. “Lou isn’t coming.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

  Staci took a deep breath. “Deefer died three days ago. We got shipwrecked in November and met up with Ailsa then. She’s been here years. Deefer got caught in a trap, one of those metal ones. His wound got infected, and he died.”

  Jack fixed his piercing eyes on Jim. “I think it’s time for the truth now, don’t you? You haven’t been on holiday at all, have you?”

  “No,” Jim admitted. “We left England to try to find my parents after they got caught up in the Philippines tsunami and declared missing. Only we ended up getting lost ourselves.”

  “I wanted to stay with Jim,” Staci added. “Don’t blame him, please. Lou and I stowed away to be with him. He didn’t know about it until it was too late.”

  Jim looked at Staci. “I should have known better, Stace. I should never have let it happen.”

  “The wreck of your boat was found at the beginning of December some distance from here. There has been a huge search and rescue operation going on, looking for you three. Speaking of Lou, you didn’t answer my question. Where is she?”

  Jim, Staci and Ailsa looked at each other, neither willing to admit it. The silence was deafening.

  “Where is she?” Jack repeated, his voice like thunder.

  “Like Staci said, Lou says she isn’t coming,” Ailsa said eventually.

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  “She’s ill,” Jim said. “She’s not thinking straight.”

  Major Corrigan said, “Is that who the medical attention was needed for?”

  “Yes. She got attacked by a shark in September and badly hurt her leg. It’s probably infected again. She’s been in agony for days, but is too stubborn to admit it.” He then told Jack about how down Lou had been. “Since Deefer died, it seems to have come back,” he concluded. “She’s changed. There is no getting through to her. She scares me now. I’m worried about her. She hasn’t eaten for days as it is.”

  Jack looked worried. “Where is she? And don’t make me ask again.”

  “On the beach. Out the main gates, turn right and follow the path. You can’t get lost.”

  Jack nodded. “I’ll go find her. We’re taking you back to Anderson. There are some people there waiting anxiously to see you.”

  “Nichola,” Jim guess
ed.

  Jack grinned. “And your mom and dad.”

  Staci screamed, as Jim caught his breath. “What?” he managed.

  “They got back to England in September. They’ll tell you all about it themselves, but they are fine and can’t wait to see you.”

  Jim hugged Staci tightly, his sister jumping up and down in his arms and squealing. “I don’t believe it…”

  Jack turned to his co-pilot. “Help them pack out of here, Major. I’ll go round up the strays. You two get the chopper ready to go.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Jack ran out of the gate and down the path that led to the beach.

  21

  Lou sat on the sand, looking out at the sea. Her crutches lay beside her. She had Deefer’s lead in her hand. Tears rolled silently down her face. She couldn’t leave him here on his own. She couldn’t go home. She had no choice. There was no way out that she could see. Despite the warmth of the sun, she shivered with cold. Alone in the darkness of the tunnel, the only light was that of the oncoming train, getting closer and closer.

  Jack stood and watched her for a minute or two. He slowly walked across the sand and positioned himself so that his shadow fell across her. Lou didn’t appear to notice. “Looks like you could do with a friend,” he said. “Or at least a shoulder to cry on.” He sat down next to her and handed her a tissue.

  Lou ignored it.

  “Don’t I even get a hello?” he asked.

  Silence. He shook his head. “Jim was telling me about your fight with the shark. How’s your leg?”

  Lou responded for the first time. “Hurts.”

  “Can I have a look?”

  “If you want,” Lou said, not bothered one way or the other. She hitched up her skirt.

  She heard Jack’s sharp intake of breath and glanced at her leg. She had to concede it did look nasty again. She had given up with the splints. All Mafuso’s hard work had been undone.

  The skin that first Jim and then Mafuso had tried to piece together was splitting and pus oozed from gaping sores. The bones grated painfully every time she moved. Her foot was white and cold to the touch, the up side of this being she could no longer feel it.