by Peter Martin
Tom clambered on board, staring at his father, a worried look on his face, ‘Dad, you’ve no idea how lucky you were. If I hadn’t managed to swim to you so quickly, God knows what would have happened.’
‘I’m well aware of that... but... but thanks to you I’ll live. You saved my life. I don’t understand how it happened.’ Garry glared at the two ‘so-called’ lifeguards for an answer.
‘I haven’t a clue mate. Somehow the line snapped, but I don’t know how or why.’ One said, looking baffled and apologetic.
Nor do I Garry thought, but couldn’t help wondering why they’d pushed his skills to the limit, and also how he’d managed to stay upright until the line snapped.
‘Doesn’t matter, it was an accident and I’m safe now... no harm done,’ Garry said putting on a brave face.
A crowd had formed on the beach. From the look of it, the incident had caused somewhat of a commotion. Delia and Lena were standing knee deep in the water screaming with panic, while Carrie and Adam, who was in his father’s arms, were both sobbing.
How proud he now felt of his family and grateful too, to Tom, who’d risked his own life to save his dad’s.
The boat slowed down and bumped gently into the landing stage. Greg, who had been waiting caught hold of the rope and tied it securely to the horn cleat, then he and Tom helped Garry to get off the boat. At the end of the jetty, Delia rushed up and grabbed hold of Garry, tears in her eyes. A wave of tenderness came over him, glad he’d survived this brush with death.
‘Oh my God, Garry I thought you were going to drown,’ she sobbed.
Lena, a few steps behind Delia, emotional, and having trouble speaking, finally managed to say, ‘Garry, are you all right?’ But he just shook his head, as he sat down on the soft sand. Then Lena amid the gulping and sobbing added, ‘I’m so sorry... I can’t understand how it happened. Shall we take you to the hospital to see a doctor?’
‘I’ll be fine, a little shook up - that’s all. But I’ll get over it. Give me a few minutes to get my breath back.’
Delia handed Garry a large beach towel; after wrapping it around himself he walked up to the beach hut to get dressed. Still shaking he felt giddy and sick.
‘What went wrong?’ Lena’s eyes twitched with anger.
‘I wish I knew.’ Greg mused. ‘One minute the boat was pulling him along, the next he was gone. But I do know the equipment is checked regularly.’
‘Well, that equipment couldn’t have been checked properly. Somebody’s responsible for this and I won’t rest until I get to the bottom of it – you hear me?’
‘That’s going to be difficult. I can’t imagine how it happened.’
By this time Garry had returned and overhearing the conversation said, ‘For God’s sake, let it rest. I’m telling you, it was a complete accident – nobody’s fault.’
‘Someone was negligent, that’s for sure. And that somebody will pay. I couldn’t have stood it had the worst happened to you,’ Lena said
But turning to her, Garry said, ‘I need to rest. Could we return to the house now?
‘Are you sure you don’t need a doctor? We have some excellent doctors here on the island – I’ll get one to come. One phone call will bring him over in minutes.’
‘It doesn’t matter. I don’t want any fuss.’
‘All right, if you insist. We’ll get you home like you say, you need to recuperate,’ Lena conceded.
<><><>
The journey back was uneventful. Greg drove as fast as he dared. Any fear Garry had felt earlier of the treacherous roads had totally gone – he still felt numb from his ordeal. An hour ago, he’d never been happier, but now he realised just how precious life was.
Back at the house, Delia held Garry’s arm, as they walked to their room, although it was more for emotional support rather than to help with his mobility. But no sooner had the door closed behind them, he rushed to the bathroom and threw up in the sink. Then in an effort to calm himself down he decided to take a hot shower.
On opening the bathroom door, he found Delia waiting for him, a weak smile on her face. But still unable to get the accident off his mind, he lay down on top of the bed. He knew he’d been extremely lucky, but even so was unable to prevent himself shaking. If only he could cry it might ease his pent-up emotions. And when Delia sat on the bed next to him, and quietly asked ‘How are you now darling?’ He knew he had to get it off his chest.
‘In a word, terrible. Why did this happen, Delia? I nearly drowned. It took me back to when I was four years old.’
‘I can well imagine, try and forget it, you lie back and rest.’
‘I don’t know if it’s the shock, or because of all this seawater in my gut, but I feel like I’ve been kicked by a horse.’
‘I was so worried, for a moment out there I thought I’d lost you.’
‘There’s no way I’m going water skiing again.’
‘Me neither – perhaps we’re too old to go running around like school kids. In future we’ll leave that to Lena and Greg – shall we?’
He bravely tried to smile again. ‘My mind flashed back to when I was that little boy again – and I panicked. It was just surreal.’
‘Thank God Tom is such a strong swimmer and was there to help you. If it hadn’t been for him, anything might have happened.’
‘He’s a good lad. The best, in fact, and he’s proved that today. You know, for a time I had doubts about him, when he was at school,’ Garry hesitated here as if to get Delia’s agreement. ‘You’ve got to admit he was a bit wild and reckless, but ever since he met Jane, he’s settled down and is more, what would you call it, level-headed, yes level-headed … he really has.’
His words faded, and with a great desire to sleep, still holding Delia’s hand, he drifted off.
With Delia lying by his side, half an hour later came a knock at their bedroom door which woke him. She slipped her hand from his grasp, causing Garry to become more aware of what was going on in the room. Screwing up his eyes he watched as she opened the door to Lena. On entering the room, she looked beyond Delia to see him, saying, ‘Oh I am sorry – I... I, perhaps I ought to come back later.’
‘No, it’s all right Lena. I’m fine; come in.’ He told her.
‘Are you sure?’
He nodded.
Delia allowed Lena to get by and as they took up positions either side of the bed, both with grim faces, Garry had to smile.
‘What’s there to smile about Garry. I for one am so upset over what happened – can’t tell you how sorry I am. But I’m having the boat checked out, the line has already been found to be faulty, it was frayed in places, but how it snapped is almost impossible to tell. It may have been wearing down for a while, but no one saw it.’ She paused, put her hands on her hips and continued, ‘Whatever the reason, I assure you heads will roll over this. I won’t tolerate it, not when it puts lives at risk, more especially yours – my son’s.’
‘I’ve told you, forget about it, will you? These things happen – all sports have an element of danger to them. Just let it drop, all right?’
‘And why should I? I could have lost you?’
‘Lena – I can’t take any more this...’ he said shaking his head.
‘All right, if you insist, but you’re wrong. So, how are you now?’
‘Rough. I don’t mind admitting I was shaken. I, well we,’ he looked towards Delia, ‘Haven’t done any water-skiing, or been swimming in the sea for years, and then this had to happen. But I’ll get over it. I’ll be as good as new in the morning.’
‘Why don’t you let me get you a brandy? It’ll calm you down and help you sleep,’ Lena suggested, putting her hand on his arm.
‘Maybe, I could do with one. Just a small one, mind.’
‘Good, I’ll get Benson to bring you something.’
‘Thanks a lot, Lena.’
‘Take good care of him, Delia - he’s very precious to both of us.’
‘Don’t worry, I intend to,
’ Was Delia’s terse reply.
‘I’d best leave you both now. I’m so angry this has happened and spoilt what would have otherwise been a perfect day.’
‘These things happen,’ Garry said.
‘I pray it hasn’t put you off what we talked about earlier.’ She looked a little apprehensive.
‘No, not at all. I can’t wait to move into our new house.’
‘Oh Garry, that’s the best news ever - you lovely boy,’ she said in her exaggerated melodramatic way.
And with that, she left delight written on her face, as she closed the door behind her. Garry lay back on the bed again and relaxed feeling content – only glad he felt a bit better, and now wanted to move on.
<><><>
Benson arrived a few minutes later with a tray containing a decanter of brandy, two cut glass tumblers and a small jug of water, which he placed on the bedside table, and swiftly left without commenting.
Garry poured himself a small measure, adding a drop of water, then turned to Delia and asked, ‘You want one love?’
She didn’t and shook her head. There was an uneasy silence in the room. She hadn’t looked at him, and it struck Garry that she was angry. But for the life of him, he couldn’t think what he’d done to upset her. After downing the brandy almost in one go, enjoying its warmth, he felt anxious with the way Delia sat, with her back to him, not speaking. Unable to stand it any longer, he asked, tentatively, ‘Something wrong love? What’s bothering you?’
‘No, nothing, why should there be?’
‘I don’t know. You’re giving me the cold shoulder, not looking at me, like I’ve done something to upset you.’
Delia turned round to face him, her mouth set in a straight line.
‘So what is it then?’ He said as he watched a redness spreading up from her neck to her face.
‘Isn’t it obvious, or are you completely bloody thick!’ She shouted at him.
Oh dear, what have I done, Garry thought, she doesn’t normally swear? So he said ‘Look, unless you tell me what I did, I can’t do much about it – can I?’
For a few seconds, the vibes he got in the room caused him to experience a tightness in his chest before all hell broke loose.
‘It’s you!’ She almost spat at him, a look of fury on her face.
‘Me?’ Garry repeated taken aback, pointing to himself.
‘Yes you, making presumptions.’
‘About what?’
‘Us. Making decisions for us without even consulting anybody else?’
‘Eh? What are you on about now?’
‘Lena’s big plan to build us a house.’
‘Oh, I see - so that’s what it’s about, is it? And what’s wrong with that?’
‘What’s wrong, is that you’ve taken it for granted that I want the same as you. And what about Tom and Cassie and their families. You can’t seriously think they’ll want to move here permanently.’
‘Well, you’d all be fools not to. We’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime, to live lives of luxury, to want for nothing, and never have to work again. Don’t tell me you want to turn that down!’ He argued.
‘Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.’
‘Well, you must be mad, that’s all I can say. To turn your back on this, for what we’ve got at home? It’s a joke. Me in my boring little life, the bad weather, that ordinary house, and people who don’t give a toss about us.’ He waited a few moments and in the absence of a reply carried on, ‘When I think how hard we’ve worked over the years - and for what? Remember when at just seventeen you got pregnant - and we had to get married with hardly a penny to our names. If it hadn’t been for mum and dad we would have ended up on the streets. And it was bloody hard work from then on – and having no money wasn’t very nice, was it? It took us years before we got our heads above water. And ok, in the end, we were a little better off, but even now with mum’s money, we’re still only comfortable. Yet here we’ve got the chance of financial security for the rest of our lives and riches beyond our wildest dreams. You can have anything you want. So yes, I would like to live here with Lena, and never have any more worries. What’s got into… you?’ But too late he realised he’d gone too far and shouldn’t have said all those things. Now, wait for it, he thought.
‘Well, first of all, you say I got pregnant at the age of seventeen, which of course is true, but I didn’t manage it on my own. So don’t go blaming me for our bad start.’ Although said as a whisper, it had more impact than a full blown yell. ‘And secondly, has it never occurred to you, that I might not want this?’ She indicated with a sweep of her hand. ‘And as for the money aspect, as I keep telling you, money isn’t the answer to everything, not by a long chalk. You look at Lena for instance, and all the money she’s got. Has it made her happy? I don’t think so.’
‘Yes but we’ve already got a happy marriage and we’d have lots of money too, and Lena would be positively ecstatic if we stayed with her.’
‘How do you know we’ll be happy here? We’ve had a relatively happy marriage so far, no matter what you’ve just said about our dire start. I know it’s been hard work but we’ve come through it and are still together. That may no longer be the case if we move here. Our lifestyles will be so different – no work, nothing to do but what we are doing now. But remember this is a holiday. I was born and have lived in Dexford all my life, and it’s too big a step to leave our family and friends behind without giving it enough thought.’ She stopped for a second, but just when Garry was about to comment, she continued, ‘And as for staying here to make Lena happy, I personally couldn’t give a hoot whether she’s happy or not. After all, if it wasn’t for our persistence we wouldn’t be here now. And what’s saying it’s not one of her whims, there may come a time when she gets tired of us. What then? And if money is all you care about I think you are a pretty sad person.’
That was it for Garry. Anger rapidly rose through his body and without thinking he blurted out. ‘It was just the same when I got that job in Leeds – I had to give it up, didn’t I? The trouble with you, you want all your own way.’ But once again soon as he’d said it he regretted it, but it was too late.
‘Right, that’s it, I’ve had enough. Who the bloody hell do you think you are? How dare you throw that back at me again.’ Getting up from the bed she put her shoes on and made her way towards the bedroom door. ‘And another thing, if you had taken that job in Leeds, what about your mum, she’d have been on her own?’
‘Delia! Where are you going now?’ he demanded.
‘Out!’
‘Out where?’
‘None of your bloody business, anymore.’ She slammed the door shut behind her.
‘Delia! Delia!’ Garry shouted after her, but she wasn’t listening. ‘Damn! Damn! Damn!’
How he’d managed to lose his temper so recklessly in the matter of a few seconds he didn’t know? If only he could turn the clock back fifteen minutes. If he’d wanted to persuade her to stay here, then he’d gone about it in entirely the wrong way and would have to apologise to her, at the very least, for his behaviour. But knowing Delia, for the time being, he had to leave her be. Best to let her calm down first.
In order to think things through, he poured himself another brandy, but one turned into two and soon he began to feel light headed and drowsy. Then tiredness swept over him, and despite struggling to keep awake he drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Sixteen
Delia was livid. How dare he? Making decisions without consulting his family first was outrageous. All right, so the house would be fantastic, and the island was a paradise, but only as a holiday destination. She’d never want to spend the rest of her life here. Although none of them would ever want for anything, or have to work again, there had to be more to life than that. Happiness couldn’t be bought.
Besides, she enjoyed her job and now working part-time; she had a measure of spare time to do as she pleased. She’d made many friends at work over the years and in short, didn’
t want to give that up. Remembering back to the days when the children were small, and staying at home to look after them, there had been times when she’d been bored, to the point where once or twice depression had taken over.
Here on the island, even if she was with Garry all the time, she’d find it difficult to keep herself occupied. Now thinking clearly, it was obvious Garry had been impulsive and hadn’t realised how she felt. Since he’d been reunited with Lena, everything else had gone out of the window. If he’d stopped and thought about all the implications she was sure he’d realise it was a no-brainer.
Right from the start, she’d had an uncomfortable feeling about the situation. Even more so now having met Lena. There was something about the woman Delia didn’t like. On the surface, she seemed nice enough, and it appeared she couldn’t do enough for them, but why did she want them to move here permanently? Hadn’t she already got her showbiz friends and her boyfriend, Greg? At first, Delia had considered Lena’s suggestion to be a spur of the moment whim or fad – but for sure the woman was certainly causing enough trouble - just to get her own way.
But for Delia, Garry’s attitude had been the final straw. First, he’d agreed to move here without telling her; then he’d had the gall to throw the Leeds job back in her face. That wasn’t on, not when she’d offered to leave her own job and relocate to Leeds. He’d known then how difficult that would have been for her, and now he was doing exactly the same thing. At the minute, she felt exasperated - fancy him saying all those spiteful things - she needed to get away from him for a while, or they’d have an even bigger bust up. In her present frame of mind, he’d be staying here on his own, if it was that important to him.
Delia made her way downstairs, going straight to the front door, but it was locked and she didn’t have a key. How frustrating? But knowing she couldn’t face Garry yet, she went into a few of the rooms leading off the hallway, hoping to find a way out via French doors. She knew the doors from the dining room leading onto the patio would be locked at this time of the night, but so far all the rooms she tried only had windows.
