FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA (10 page)

Once Tom and Mai left, Cassie and Anna said their goodbyes to Doug and Vanessa and made their way to the car.

“Want me to drive?” Anna asked.

“No. I’m fine thanks,” Cassie said. “I’m quite looking forward to the journey back. Thought we might stop for supper somewhere.”

“Good idea.”

It was nearly ten o’clock before Cassie reached the land that ran down to the boatyard.

She was just making the turn when her headlights caught something at the side of the road and she slammed the brakes on.

“There’s somebody in the hedge.”

Frightened, Cassie and Anna looked at each other. The boatyard was still three miles down the track. Should they go for help or investigate it themselves?

Winding the car window down a fraction, Cassie listened to the night sounds. Trying to hear if there was anybody about. An owl tooted in the distance. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cassie slowly backed the car up until the headlights illuminated the hedge.

She and Anna got out of the car and cautiously made their way towards the body. Curled up in the hedge, eyes’ watching them fearfully, was a dog. As they got closer she slowly got on to her feet and waited.

Both Cassie and Anna breathed a sigh of relief. They could cope with this.

“Poor old thing,” Cassie said, stretching out a hand to gently stroke the dog. “Do you think she’s been hit by a car?”

“I don’t think so,” Anna said, carefully running her hands over the dog’s body. “I think she’s either been dumped or she’s a stray. Look how thin she is.”

“Come on let’s get her into the car,” Cassie said. “We can’t leave her here. I’ll take her home for the night and call the RSPCA tomorrow.”

The dog looked at Cassie and a tongue cautiously licked her hand. It was as if she sensed Cassie was to be her saviour.  

Once back home, Cassie opened a tin of stewing steak, which the dog ate gratefully, before having a long drink from the bowl of water Cassie put down for her.

The dog’s eyes followed her every movement and, as Cassie made her up a bed out of some old cushions, she nuzzled gently at Cassie’s ear.

“Hey that tickles,” Cassie laughed.

The dog leaned against her and Cassie absently stroked the soft head.

“That should do you for the night,” she said finally. “I’ll see you in the morning. Everything is going to be all right. I’ll make sure you go to a good home.”

The dog’s eyes looked trustingly into Cassie’s and she gave a very slight wag of her tail before heaving a deep sigh and settling on the cushions.

Once in bed Cassie, said a prayer for Polly’s safety, turned off the light and went to sleep.

In her dreams that night she was running alongside the river trying to catch an elusive figure in the distance. A familiar looking dog bounded happily at her side.

When she woke in the morning, the dog was curled up alongside her feet.

Chapter Seven

“What are you going to call her?” Anna asked the next morning when she brought Cassie a cup of tea and saw the dog on the bed.

“I’m not keeping her,” Cassie said. “First thing this morning I’ll ring round and see if anyone’s reported her missing. If not, I’ll take her to the dog sanctuary across town.”

The dog turned looked up at the sound of Cassie’s voice, before deliberately snuggling in closer and uttering a deep sigh.

“Oh yes?” Anna laughed.

“She can’t stay here,” Cassie said. “It’s out of the question.”

“Why?” Anna asked. “You like dogs – and the feeling is clearly mutual! At least think about it.”

Three hours later, Cassie finally put the phone down, having drawn a blank with all the vets, police and animal sanctuaries in the area. The dog hadn’t been micro-chipped and nobody within a fifty mile radius had any record of a lurcher cross bitch being reported missing.

Cassie looked across the room to where the dog was sleeping peacefully, stretched out alongside Tom as he worked on the computer. As Cassie watched her, she opened her eyes, her gaze full of trust.

“Why don’t you go and get some fresh air, Tom suggested. “Have a think. Take the dog.”

Cassie realised he’d studiously avoided saying the word ‘walk’ but the dog was on her feet looking at her expectantly.

Cassie took the short cut down through the boatyard to the river path. The dog waited patiently at her side as she unlocked the gate in the perimeter fence, before bounding excitedly down to the river’s edge.

“Come on girl, this way.” Cassie began to walk upstream.

Walking past River View, Cassie wondered when Tom and Mai would be able to move back in. It would be several weeks yet, she suspected.

Anna would probably have moved on too before Tom and Mai returned to the cottage.

When they all moved out she’d be on her own. She couldn’t count on Polly wanting to live at home again once the race was over.

Cassie sighed. Everybody’s lives were changing, and she was determined not to miss the boat this time.

A glimmer of an idea began to take shape in her mind.

A heron, keeping a rock like solitary vigil at the water’s edge, took off over the river with a graceful flap of its wings, startling both Cassie and the dog with its unseen presence.

There were a few boats on the river including the Harbour Master’s official launch with James at its helm. He waved as he passed and shouted a greeting that was mainly carried away on the wind.

As she waved back, she glanced down at the dog who was gently nuzzling her hand.

“What is it girl?” Cassie said stroking her. “I like you too. We’re going to have to find you a proper name aren’t we? Can’t keep calling you ‘the dog’ or ‘girl’ can we?”

Realising what she’d just said Cassie laughed out loud. Her subconscious had made the decision. The dog was staying.

“So, how about Willow?” she shook her head. “No. Tess? Honey?”

Undecided Cassie studied the dog for several minutes before inspiration struck.

“I know. You were on your own when I found you, and Polly has gone off alone. I’m going to call you Solo.”

Solo looked at her, ears cocked, licked her hand as if in agreement and then bounded off to chase an imaginary rabbit.

“Come on Solo. Time to go home,” and together they turned and began to make their way back along the river path.

When they finally returned to the boatyard, Doug was coming out of the office.

“Hello,” he greeted Cassie. “I’ve been having a word with Bill about doing some maintenance work on Megabyte whilst I’m away.” He glanced at her.

“I was hoping you’d have dinner with me one evening, but I’m afraid it will have to wait until I get back from Scotland.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” Cassie said. “When do you leave?”

“First thing in the morning. I’ll be away two or three weeks”

“Why don’t you join us for dinner tonight?” Cassie said impulsively. “It would give me a chance to say thank you for your generous hospitality in Plymouth. Half past seven OK?”

“Perfect. I’ll see you then,” Doug said.

Tom and Mai were waiting for her in the kitchen when she got back. Cassie was suddenly seized with apprehension.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Absolutely nothing,” Tom said replied.

He was holding Mai’s hand, and a big smile spread over his face.

“We wanted you to be the first to know.”

“I’m pregnant,” Mai said. “The Doctor confirmed it this morning.”

“You’re going to be a granny,” Tom exclaimed at the same time.

“Oh, Congratulations!” Cassie kissed Mai and hugged Tom.

“That’s wonderful news. We must celebrate this evening,” she added.

“Incidentally, I’ve asked Doug to join us.”

“It’ll be quite a party,” Tom said. “Dexter rang to say he’d call in on his way back to London. I invited him for dinner – and offered him a bed for the night, too.”

“Any news from Polly?” Cassie asked.

“She sent an e-mail. I printed it out. I thought you might want to keep them.”

“Good idea,” Cassie said, picking up the print out.

“First twenty-four hours at sea have been fine. We are well on our way to Finistere. Weather forecast is reasonable, so hopefully it won’t be too rough. Love Polly.”

“Another day or two and she’ll be down around the Azores won’t she?” Cassie said thoughtfully.

Tom glanced at her, his expression one of concern. He knew only too well how his mother felt about that particular stretch of ocean.

When Dexter arrived that evening he was full of the latest news about the race.

“Polly is fine,” he reassured Cassie, before telling them the story of an unfortunate competitor who’d got caught in the edge of a weather system off the coast of France and lost his mast.

“He’s had to put into a French port for repairs. Hopefully he’ll be able to rejoin the fleet next week and still make it to Cape Town within the time limit,” Dexter said.

“Luckily another competitor has a similar mast in a yard in Cowes which he offered as soon as he heard the news. I’ve been working on the logistics of getting it over to France quickly, that’s why I’m so late getting here today.”

Dinner that evening was a good-humoured meal with much laughter and lively conversation. In a pause between courses Dexter asked how bookings for the barge were going.

“Trickling in nicely,” Tom said. “Only problem is we still haven’t found an instructor yet,” He glanced at his mother.

“I’ve put an ad on the Yacht Club notice board and James is asking around,” Cassie said defensively. “Somebody will turn up. But if they don’t. . .” She paused. “I’ll do it.”

“Thanks Mum,” Tom said gratefully. “Problem solved.”

“Um, actually, I don’t think it is,” Dexter said unexpectedly.

“Cassie, I should have given you this earlier.” He handed her a large white envelope.

“It’s the present Polly asked me to give you.”

“I’d forgotten all about that,” Cassie said, slitting open the envelope. “D’you know what it is?”

Dexter nodded. “I helped arrange it.”

Cassie was speechless as she took out of the envelope a hotel brochure and a return ticket to Cape Town.

“Polly would like you to be on the quay when she sails in,” Dexter said. “She also reckoned you’d quite like it too! The hotel booking is for a week.”

Cassie was stunned.

“But I can’t go. I’ve just agreed to do the instructing. And what about Solo? And things here?”

“I think I can help with the sailing,” Doug offered.

“One of my crew on Megabyte is a qualified dinghy instructor. I’d be more than happy for him to help out whilst you’re in South Africa.”

“And I’ll still be here,” Anna said. “I can fill in for you wherever I’m needed.”

“Don’t worry about Solo. Tom and I will take care of her until you get back,” Mai put in.

“There you go, Mum. No excuses. In two weeks’ time you can jet off to Cape Town to welcome Polly ashore,” Tom said.

EXTRACT FROM POLLY’S PERSONAL JOURNAL

Wednesday 15
^th

Have decided to try and keep a private journal as well as my official log but, five days into the race, this is the first opportunity I’ve had to write it up.

Sailing with the fleet out of Plymouth Sound was awesome. So many people had come to see us off. I felt very insignificant but proud to be a part of the whole pageant. Waving goodbye was very emotional but I managed to keep the tears at bay until nobody could see me.

I felt so sorry for Tom.
Clotted Cream
is his boat, after all. It must have been difficult for him, seeing me take off in a race that he should have been doing. 

Getting down channel was hair-raising – there was so much traffic in the shipping lanes, but at least we got past The Lizard in daylight.

There were three of us setting much the same course the first afternoon and evening and we all did a lot of tactical sailing. Overnight, though, we altered our courses slightly and by dawn I was alone.

Very excited by the telephone conversation with Race HQ this morning. They told me I’m currently lying in second position. I know, I know, it’s early days.

I’ve had several e-mails since setting sail - one from Mum, thanking me for the ticket and looking forward to seeing me in Cape Town. 

Dexter sent me an e-mail too, telling me to take care and sail safely. He promised he’d be waiting with Mum in South Africa. Still no word from Sebastian, but I didn’t really expect to hear. I’ll e-mail him in a few days just to see how he is and to try and keep things on a reasonably friendly footing.

By the time I got to Finistere the wind had increased as a front came through. It certainly lived up to its rough reputation - freezing wind and fine driving rain. I know, though, I’ll encounter worse conditions down in the Southern Ocean so I’d better get used to it.

We came through the front over night and this morning I was rewarded with a group of dolphins leaping and swimming and joyfully escorting us for a few miles.

Oh, I do so love being at sea.

Tonight the weather is much calmer and everything on board is fine. The moon is out and the stars are shining. Robbie Williams is playing on the CD and I’m going to have a bowl of pasta and the last of my bananas for supper before having a snooze in the cuddy.

Tomorrow I’ll be that much nearer the Azores. I’m trying not to think about Dad, but every now and again a shudder goes through me when the waves are unexpectedly noisy against the hull or some debris floats past.

I’ll be glad when I’m further down off the coast of Africa. I’ll have left the ghosts behind then.”

“Jibe,” Cassie shouted from her position at the tiller. The two teenagers ducked and made for the other side of the dinghy as the boom swung the mainsail across and the small boat changed tack.

“Good. Well done. Now, I think it’s Wayne’s turn to helm and to take us back to the barge.”

Just three days into their holiday, the boys were getting the hang of sailing. Cassie was pleased with the way they’d responded to her lessons and quietly proud of herself.

The first week of the barge being open for business was going well. To Cassie’s unspoken relief the party of five teenagers had cancelled and the Rogers family had taken their place at the last minute, with just the two boys needing tuition.