FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA (22 page)
Read FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA Online
Authors: Jennifer Bohnet
Tags: #Romance, #new life, #bereavement, #Yachting
“There’s no problem with the quarantine laws these days, so she can always come with us,” James said. “She’d soon get used to the boat.”
But Cassie was doubtful. She felt Solo would be happier staying on land. Bill said he’d be happy to keep her down in the yard.
“She’s a good guard dog that one.”
But Cassie couldn’t bear the thought of Solo being in a kennel on cold winter nights.
Solo solved the problem herself by disappearing from River View Cottage one afternoon while Cassie and James were busy packing. When a distraught Cassie finally tracked her down she was asleep in the small garden of Boatyard House.
Mai had put Alice outside in her pram for a sleep and Solo had taken up position alongside.
“She really took to Alice while you were away. She’s very protective towards her. We’d love to have her - not just while you’re away but permanently,” Mai said. “If that’s possible?”
“That would be wonderful,” Cassie said. “I was worried about leaving her but I know she’ll be happy with you.”
Bill had agreed to sell them River View Cottage and there was all the legal side of the purchase to be seen to before they left.
Then there was a question of finding a suitable boat for the trip down to the Mediterranean. Days were spent looking through sales brochures and scouring the yachting press.
Finally, two weeks before they were due to leave, they found the perfect vessel.
Moored in Fowey it was a 42ft motor sailer, more than capable of coping with the trip down south. The good news as far as James and Cassie were concerned was that she was in a totally seaworthy condition.
When they looked her over they couldn’t believe how lucky they’d been to find her. Cassie had smiled when she’d first seen the name ‘My Dream’. It couldn’t have been more appropriate.
She and James motored her back and moored her on one of the boatyard pontoons.
Now ‘My Dream’ was anchored outside River View Cottage being loaded up for the voyage.
With just a week to go before the christening, Polly was on her way to see Dexter. She’d had news about her sponsorship and wanted to tell him face to face.
She phoned from a service station on the outskirts of Weston to let him know she was coming.
“Nothing’s wrong is it?” he asked worriedly. “You’re all right?”
“I’m fine. I’ll see you soon.”
Dexter was waiting for her at the top of the farm drive. As she stopped the car he looked anxiously through the car window.
“Shall we go for a walk?” she suggested.
Taking her hand, he led her in the direction of a small wood in the distance.
“Right Polly, what’s this all about?”
“I’ve had a phone call from the sponsors. There’s a new contract for me in the post. Actually it’s on its way to you for checking and final approval.”
Dexter waited.
“You’ll notice a few adjustments when it gets here and I wanted to tell you about them myself.”
Polly took a deep breath.
“The last few weeks have been really difficult trying to decide what to do. I love you. I love sailing. I couldn’t bear the thought of not being with you, but I also couldn’t bear the thought of not sailing competitively anymore. So, I’ve taken Mum’s advice and compromised. I’ve decided not to do any more races like the Around Alone or the next Vendee Globe.”
She glanced at Dexter trying to judge his reaction, but his face was expressionless as he waited for her to continue.
“Instead I’m going to concentrate on shorter races like the Route de Rhum and the Mini Transat. I’ll still be away at times but it won’t be for months on end. I’m also going to try and increase my media work. Suzie at the local radio station up here is keen for me to present a sporting quiz programme.
I’ve still got my book to write and there are lots of talks lined up for the next few months.”
“Why didn’t you tell me what you were trying to do?” Dexter asked.
“I thought you might say I was silly not accepting such a fantastic offer. Besides I wasn’t sure whether the sponsors would agree to altering the contract.”
Dexter was silent for a moment or two.
“It’s wonderful news, Polly, I’m really pleased it’s all working out,” he said eventually.
“But what?” Polly said. “I can definitely sense a ‘but’.”
“I just wish you hadn’t made these decisions behind my back. I know you meant well Polly but if we’re going to have any sort of future together we must talk to each other. No secrets about anything. Promise?”
“I promise. Am I forgiven?” she asked quietly.
By way of an answer Dexter pulled her into his arms. “It’s going to be wonderful to have the time to get to know each other properly,” he said.
The day of the christening dawned bright and clear.
Cassie gazed out of the window of River View Cottage at ‘My Dream’ gently bobbing up and down on her anchor. Tonight, she and James planned to sleep on board ready for a dawn start tomorrow on the early high tide.
Cassie suppressed a sigh. James was so enthusiastic about his new job that most of the time he carried her along with him. It was only when she was on her own that she grew apprehensive.
Although she was looking forward to the year ahead a tiny part of her was afraid they were doing the wrong thing.
As though sensing her thoughts, a sleep tousled James appeared in the kitchen and put his arms around her.
“Morning wife.Penny for them?”
Cassie shook her head. She couldn’t bring herself to voice her worries, but of course, James realised she was concerned about their decision.
“Cassie, my love,” James began, holding her close. “I know it’s a big step we’re taking but it will be all right, you’ll see. It’s only natural for you to miss the family, but you and I will be together. This is our time. And I promise you Cassie, come what may, I’ll always be there for you.”
Cassie smiled at him. What he said was true. Her life was with James now. She had to learn to let go.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
“I know James. Once we’ve set sail tomorrow morning everything will fall in place and I’ll be fine.”
Later that afternoon, standing in the tiny country church where Tom and Mai had decided to have Alice christened, Cassie looked around at her family gathered together in front of the fifteenth century font.
Polly was carefully holding Alice, who looked beautiful in the antique christening gown that generations of Lewis’s had been christened in. Dexter at her side looked nervous. Would their wedding be the next time the whole family were together again in church? Cassie could only hope.
Tom and Mai, the proud parents, stood alongside, listening as the Godparents made their promises. Bill and Liz, now proud great grandparents, were standing behind the vicar with happy smiles on their faces.
The vicar had given permission for James to take photographs of the ceremony. Now, as he raised his camera, he smiled at Cassie before he pressed the button and took a photograph of the whole Lewis family that was to become one of Cassie’s most treasured possessions over the months to come.
At 5.30 the next morning ‘My Dream’ slipped her anchor and slowly began to make her way down river to the channel and then on to the open sea.
As they motored past the boatyard Cassie saw a light on and knew that her father was watching them leave. She raised her arm in acknowledgment, hoping that Bill could see her final goodbye in the breaking dawn.
Bill, drinking his early morning tea in his customary place in the workshop, saw the wave and raised his own hand in farewell as the boat motored past.
“Bon voyage Cassie and James. Stay safe.”
The End.
About the Author
Having spent 12 years in the South of France where her husband was working, Jennifer now lives in the beautiful countryside of Brittany. Two totally different cultures with lots of story ideas! Down south she had a view of the Mediterranean, in Brittany she writes under the eaves of their cottage with a small velux window through which she can see the large oak tree in their garden. Jennifer is the only person to have headroom up there!
Jennifer was born in Weston-s-Mare but grew up mainly in Bristol. A West country girl she loves Somerset and Devon but now lives permanently just across the channel.
Jennifer’s short stories have been published in the UK, Scandinavia, Australia, South Africa, while her first four novels have been available in Large Print and Hardback. Now the first two are available as e-books.
Jennifer’s next novel will soon be winging its way out into the big world.
Find out more about Jennifer and her writing at
www.jenniferbohnet.com
Follow Jennifer on Twitter: @jenniewriter
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