FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA (15 page)

(A week later)

I’ve just lived through the most amazing week of my life. The storm was unbelievably violent. For three days
Clotted Cream
took a tremendous pasting. We were so lucky that nothing major broke.

I’ve managed to clear up some of the mess in the cabin but my main concern has been the sails. As soon as the winds drop a bit, I’ll get the sewing stuff out and have a major maintenance session on them.

Yesterday the sun forced its way through the grey clouds and the change in the sea colour was incredible. 

And last night the Southern Lights were all around me - flashes of green and yellow exploding in the sky. It was an incredible performance that I wanted to share with someone, so I rang Dexter on the satellite phone. I think I got him out of bed - I’d completely forgotten the time difference.  

He was incredibly sweet about it and stayed chatting for ages. He flies out to New Zealand tomorrow to start organising things for us all there.

With luck, fourteen days should see me sailing into Tauranga.
Flight of the Seagull
is twenty-two hours ahead of me so I’ve got some hard sailing ahead of me if I want to catch Colin.

Cassie woke the morning of her birthday to hear the rain still drumming on to the cottage patio. It had been pouring non-stop now for almost a week.

Glancing out of the window, she could see that the river had risen several inches over night. The landing stage was submerged, and with mounting horror, she realised the water was now over the bottom two steps of the flight leading up to the cottage.

Her father had sent up some sandbags and she’d dutifully placed them around the front door of the cottage, never believing that it was necessary. This morning, with the water only a foot away, it looked as if they might be needed after all.

She picked up the phone.

“Tom, is everything all right down there? The river seems to have burst its banks up here.”

“It’s very swollen and running a lot faster than normal but so far we’re OK,” Tom said. “I think you should make your way down here. Shall I get Gramps to come up in the launch for you?”

“No. I reckon Solo and I can come round the back way. I’ll just pile things on top of each other first and hope for the best. I’ll see you within the next hour.”

“OK. And, Mum, Happy Birthday.”

In the kitchen Cassie unplugged the fridge and the oven and pulled the mat up in front of the back door. In the sitting room she piled as many of her electrical things she could on top of the table.

Finally she unplugged the phone and put that on top.

“Come on, Solo, let’s make for dry ground,” and she slammed and locked the door behind her. The water was still a foot away from the top step and Cassie could only hope that it would stop raining soon.   

By the time she made it into the kitchen at Boatyard House, she was exhausted and soaked through. Gratefully she cradled the mug of hot coffee that Mai handed her.

“D’you think it’s ever going to stop raining?” she said.

“According to the met, it should ease off this afternoon, but they are forecasting more for the weekend,” Tom replied.

“How are the people out on the barge?” Cassie asked.

“Quite safe. Gramps has been out to check the mooring and it’s holding fast in the swell. He’s told them not to attempt to leave the barge until the tide turns later. He’s offered to ferry them to and from shore in the launch .”

Mai put some cards and packages on the table.

“Happy birthday, Cassie,” she said. “I hope you’re planning to spend the day here.”

“Thank you, Mai. I’m supposed to be having lunch with Doug on Megabyte and this evening I’m having supper with Anna. Other than that, I’d love to spend the day here.”

“Birthday lunch with Doug? Is there something you should tell us, Mum?” Tom teased.

“Certainly not,” Cassie laughed. “Today just happens to be the only one Doug has free from business commitments. I don’t think he even knows it’s my birthday.” 

She could feel the colour rising in her cheeks and hoped Tom would change the subject.

She liked Doug and enjoyed his company, but she didn’t want anybody reading things into their relationship that simply weren’t there.

Doug, however, did know it was her birthday as was evident by the bottle of champagne in the ice bucket and the gift-wrapped package waiting for her in Megabytes dining saloon.

“Oh Doug. I didn’t think you knew.”

“Happy Birthday and many more of them.”

He poured her a glass of champagne.

The gold bracelet with its inlaid amber stones was exquisite.

“I wanted to give you something to remember such a momentous occasion,” Doug said quietly, taking her hand in his.

“And to mark what I hope is the beginning of more than friendship between us.”

His words hung in the air as he looked at her, waiting for her reaction.

Cassie took a deep breath and withdrew her hand.

“The bracelet’s beautiful, Doug, but I can’t accept it. It’s far too early in our friendship for you to be buying me such an expensive birthday present.

What happens if our friendship doesn’t develop into anything more? I’d feel guilty every time I wore the bracelet and you’d regret having spent such a lot of money on someone who didn’t return your feelings.”

It was several seconds before Doug spoke.

“Cassie, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I merely wanted to give you a nice present. It’s been a long time since I’ve met a woman I like as much as you. I’m clearly out of practice with the social niceties and have jumped in too quickly.” He paused.

“Please accept the bracelet as a special birthday present from a new friend with no other motive. Next time I’ll ask your permission before I buy you anything.”

This last was said with such a twinkle in his eyes that Cassie laughed in spite of herself.

“It’s been a long time for me, too, since anybody wanted to buy me expensive presents and it IS beautiful,” she confessed. “As a special birthday present then. Thank you very much.” Shyly, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

Doug sighed with relief.

“Good. Now that’s sorted, let’s have lunch.”

The rain had eased slightly by the time Cassie drove into town to have supper with Anna. She’d almost cancelled after James’s phone call but Tom and Mai had persuaded her to go.

James had been up river to check on the various moorings up there and had rung to say that, although the water was still lapping around the cottage steps it didn’t appear to be getting any higher.

“Have you locked the cottage up securely?” he asked just before ringing off.

“Yes of course. Why?”

“Somebody seems to have taken advantage of the bad weather and broken into several boats. I’ve got to do another patrol tonight so I’ll check on the cottage, just in case.”  

“Thanks. James?”

“Yes?”

“You will take care won’t you? No heroics?”

There was a chuckle at the end of the line before James replied, “I promise, no heroics. Enjoy your supper with Anna and I’ll see you Saturday morning.”

Now, as she and Anna tucked into their favourite lasagne at the wine bar in town, Cassie told Anna about her day  - and the present from Doug.

“It’s a lovely bracelet. It obviously cost a fortune and although I know he can afford it, I still can’t help feeling it’s a bit over the top for someone you don’t know that well.”

“Like he said, he’s hoping you will get to know each other more.”

“But I feel as if he’s bribing me to like him,” Cassie admitted. “Does that sound stupid? And I feel guilty now because he’s not invited to my birthday dinner on Saturday – even though he did say he was away again at the weekend. Incidentally, do you know who exactly is coming?  Tom and Dad haven’t said. And The Seafarer’s a bit on the expensive side for too many people.”

“I shouldn’t worry,” Anna said. “I think your Dad is more than willing to push the boat out for you. Just enjoy it.”

By Saturday the rain had eased and the fears of flooding had receded. Cassie and James making their way out to the Skerries found there was a strong enough wind to make for exciting sailing. Although they finished the race in ninth place, they both agreed it had been a good day.

“I’ll be back to pick you up at 8.0. o’clock,” James said. “Cottage or Boatyard House?” 

“Boatyard House please. It’s still very muddy at the cottage.”

Tom and Mai had already left by the time James arrived.

Cassie was wearing the dress she’d bought in Cape Town, which drew an appreciative whistle from James.

“You look beautiful Cassie. These are for you. If you don’t like them please say so. We can take them back and you choose something else.”

He watched anxiously as Cassie undid her present to reveal a pair of aquamarine drop earrings.

“James, they’re lovely. I’m going to wear them tonight. They’re a perfect match for my dress.” Cassie fixed them into her ears, banishing a fleeting pang of guilt about the gold and amber bracelet she’d left laying upstairs in its box.

Turning to give James a thank you kiss she found herself enveloped unexpectedly in a tight hug.

“Happy Birthday Cassie,” James whispered before he kissed her. Seconds later he released her.

“Let’s party,” he said, taking her hand.

At the Country Club he held her hand again as they made their way through the foyer.

At the foot of the stairs she automatically turned for the restaurant.

“No this way Cassie,” James said and walked towards the function room.

Cassie pointed at the sign. “It’s closed for a special...” Her voice trailed away as James opened the door and she was greeted by fifty people all shouting “Surprise!” at the tops of their voices.

Turning to James she laughed.

“You could have warned me,” she said, before walking into the room to be surrounded by her family and friends.

She was dancing an energetic Charleston with James later in the evening, when she saw Tom answer his mobile phone and glance across at her. His expression was serious and she was already moving towards him as he beckoned her over.

“Mum. It’s Polly.” He handed the phone to her.

“Hi Mum. Sorry to interrupt the party. I hope you’re having fun.”

“Yes thanks. Are you alright?”

“I need to tell you something before you hear it on the news.”

Cassie waited, her heart in her mouth.

“One of the other skippers has had an accident. As I’m the nearest boat I’ve been asked to alter course and give assistance. Dexter will ring you later and tell you all the details. I just wanted to tell you not to worry.”

Chapter Eleven

Cassie put the phone down and turned to Tom.

“Polly said Dexter will ring with more details. I suppose she means in the morning.” Cassie’s lips quivered.

“Try not to worry, Mum.” Tom’s tone was reassuring. “It’s not Polly who’s in trouble, remember.”

In the background Cassie heard the band start to play another tune.

“James is waiting for another dance,” Tom pointed out.

“Oh I couldn’t,” Cassie began.

“Yes, you can,” James interrupted and led her back onto the dance floor. “It’s still your birthday party, so try and enjoy the rest of it.”

And Cassie found herself doing just that. Maybe the extra glass of champagne the James gave her had something to do with it, but she did manage to put all worries about Polly to the back her mind and enjoy the rest of the evening.

It was after midnight before the last of her friends said goodnight.

James drove her home.

“They say fifty is the new forty, these days, so how does it feel to be forty?”

Cassie smothered a yawn. “I’m looking forward to my bed tonight more than I did after my real fortieth. I definitely haven’t got the stamina for late nights anymore.”

“I know what you mean,” James agreed. “I’m good on early mornings, though.”

“It’s a bit on the misty side tonight isn’t it?” Cassie peered out of the windscreen.

“Actually, I think it looks more like smoke. There’s probably a chimney fire somewhere,” James answered.

“Now, are you spending what’s left of the night at Boatyard House or am I driving you back to the cottage?” he asked as they approached the crossroads.

“Boatyard House, please. I haven’t got the cottage to rights yet since the river burst its banks. Besides I left Solo at the house.”

Just then, James pulled over to the verge and stopped. Cassie looked at him in surprise.

“Is something the matter? Have we broken down or something?”

“No. There’s a flashing blue light behind.”

They both watched the police car drive straight past with a grateful toot of its horn.

Cassie looked at James in dismay.

“Apart from the Henshawes’ place, this road only goes to boatyard before it loops back up to the main road!”

Without a word James began to follow the police car as it made it way quickly down to the boatyard.

As they drove the atmosphere outside became steadily thicker and there was a definite smell of pungent smoke. Cassie took a deep breath.

“James I think Boatyard House is on fire.”

“I can’t see any flames,” he answered shortly, but as they drove into the yard it became evident that there had been flames - lots of them. Not in the house itself, but in the workshops.

Bill and Rufus were talking to the police as the firemen began to tidy up their equipment.

“Where’s Solo? What’s happened?” Cassie asked anxiously.

“She’s in the house and she’s fine,” Bill assured her. “Everything is under control.”

“By the look of the front door somebody tried to break in to the house and your dog went potty. The front door is scratched to bits inside,” one of the policemen said.

“I’m afraid they had better luck with the workshops. They got away with a lot of tools and things before setting fire to the place.”

“Oh Dad, I’m so sorry. If it hadn’t been for my birthday party someone would have been here and it wouldn’t have happened.”