FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA (16 page)

“That’s silly talk, Cassie. I reckon they were just biding their time.”

“Any ideas yet who’s responsible?” Cassie asked the policeman.

He shook his head. “It’s too soon to say. All we know so far is they came and left by boat. There were two or three of them judging by the number of new muddy footprints we’ve found. We’ll need to get forensics out here first thing in the morning. The brigade will be doing their own tests too.” He nodded in the direction of the firemen.

“I’m afraid I have to ask you not to touch anything before they’ve been.”

“I reckon we all want our beds anyway,” Bill said. “We’re all too tired to start clearing up now.”

“By the way, who called the fire brigade?” Cassie asked.

“The couple on the barge. Used their mobile,” a fireman said.

One of the policeman glanced at James. “Could I have an official word Captain White before we go?”

“Of course.” James nodded.

Bill and Rufus gave Cassie a hand taking her presents into the house whilst James talked to the policeman. Finally Cassie touched James on the arm.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, James, but I’m off to bed. I just wanted to say goodnight  - and thank you.”

“Goodnight Cassie. I’ll ring you tomorrow,”

As she went indoors Cassie heard the policeman speak quietly to James.

“If it could be a joint operation I feel we’d have a better chance of catching them.”

EXTRACT FROM POLLY’S PRIVATE JOURNAL

Monday 14
^th

It’s thirty-six hours now since I altered course and effectively took myself out of the race for this leg. I can’t help feeling disappointed but I know if I’d run into trouble, one of the guys would have done the same for me.

The weather isn’t too bad - no storms are forecast in the immediate future anyway.

I’ve been reading up on my first aid in case Jean-Paul is in a worse state than he says.

We’ve been e-mailing each other and I’ve spoken to him on the phone, so he knows I should be with him in the next twelve hours.

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 things 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.