Ark Of Hope: Beyond The Dark Horizon

by Roger David Francis

  “I’ll be seasick, I know I will,” Cassie moaned.

  Jade pulled out a small bag. “Suck on a Barley sweet, it’ll help.” As usual Cassie was highly made up and dressed to kill. Her deep red lipstick was at odds with her pale pink top and white trousers though Jade had to admit that her curly blonde shoulder length hair looked pretty spectacular, better than when she scraped it back into a pony tail. They’d met at work a few years ago, a busy coffee bar where they’d often work the same shift and it had inevitably led to the two couples spending their spare time with each other. This was their first attempt at a holiday together though and Jade was hoping it would work out for them. Hopefully, once the boat trip was out of the way she and Brett could find some time to go off on their own, no doubt Cassie and Robbie had the same idea.

  She herself was wearing a pair of blue jeans and white tee shirt. Jade sighed. Always the sensible one, but wasn’t that what Robbie liked about her?

  She wasn’t sure about today. Brett seemed determined to meet some dippy old Professor who thought the earth was flat; he actually seemed fascinated by him. She supposed there were worse hobbies to have, and Brett had an enquiring mind, though she thought he liked the idea of being controversial more than any real belief the earth was flat. At least she was getting a day trip out on a boat, it beat carrying a shovel around behind Robbie when he pursued his hobby.

  Having being bought up by her grandparents, Jade knew that old men loved to tell a tale, and the Professor was obviously delighted to have a young ear to bend to while away his time. She hoped he wouldn’t try and drag her into the conversation; she was as convinced as the rest of mankind that the world she lived in was round, always had been and always would be, apart from the tiny minority who, like Professor Bunting was convinced the earth was flat.

  Why would he think NASA was lying to everyone, spending billions of dollars on space exploration, altering images to make the world appear round? For what purpose, who were they trying to fool and why? And then of course there were all the other planets that could clearly be seen in the constellation; did the flat earth theory apply to them too? Jade wondered. Was it all simply a trick of the eye, the camera shots cleverly taken of outer space to make the planets appear to be round fiery balls when they were really flying saucer shaped discs floating throughout the universe, circling around their own moons? Jade shrugged mentally, no doubt the Professor would have all the answers but she was relieved that she wouldn’t be the one asking the questions. If he tried to rope her into any discussion she’d just have to nod and smile.

  Still, a day out on a boat circling within the Bermuda Triangle, that was different, something to tell her friends back home about. She wasn’t sure about Cassie though.

  Cassie was sucking on the Barley sweet as if it were a piece of lemon. Pulling her mouth sideways in disgust she cracked it with her teeth and crunched up the tiny pieces.

  “This had better work,” she muttered darkly. “My stomach’s lurching already. I’m thinking it might be best if I stayed in the hotel.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Jade assured her, adding, “you’re not getting out of it, Brett would never forgive you. He set this whole holiday up so he could meet the Professor.”

  Cassie sighed dramatically. “It’s beyond the call of duty, but I suppose you’re right.” Her face brightened. “There’s Karaoke in the bar tonight,” she told Jade who shuddered. Her worst nightmare, she’d have to come down with a severe headache, she decided.

  “Maybe we won’t be back in time,” Jade suggested hopefully. She looked at her phone and saw that it was a quarter to ten. They’d arranged to meet Professor Bunting at ten o’clock, it seemed they were early. Looking outside Jade frowned. There was a heavy black cloud heading in from the ocean, it looked mean and dirty and she shivered suddenly. “Maybe we should go back to our rooms and fetch out jackets,” she suggested.

  Cassie swallowed the last remains of the Barley sweet and winced. “A bit of rain never hurt anyone. It’s supposed to be good for the complexion.”

  “Oh well, in that case, we won’t bother, who cares if we get soaked as long as you get a free facial?” Jade replied sarcastically.

  “Are we ready then, girls?” Brett sidled up to them grinning. “You both look very nice. Maybe a bit too much cleavage, Cas; we don’t want the Professor having a heart attack before we start out.”

  “You look fine,” Robbie said joining them. If Cassie wanted to show off the goods then Brett shouldn’t be a spoilsport.

  It had turned hot and humid and Cassie was sweating by the time they’d crossed over the road. “How far is it?” she whimpered, “my mascara’s already running.”

  “The boat? About another three minute walk,” Brett told her. Her cheeks were already growing pink and he felt sorry for her. “You should have gone easy on the make-up,” he told her.

  Cassie shot him a dirty look.

  He jiggled a piece of paper in front of her. “Professor Bunting’s boat, Ark of Hope, is at the end of Elbow Bay just before the black rocks.”

  It would have been impossible to miss. A very old wizened man was sitting on the side of the boat dangling his bare feet into the water, a large pipe protruding from his mouth spewing out clouds of grey smoke. He looked dirty, his clothes had holes in them and his beard was almost to his navel.

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Cassie squealed.

  Slightly appalled, Brett was about to apologise when another man came on deck from the cabin. He looked sprightly and was grinning. Without warning he pushed the other man over and laughed as he fell sprawling into the shallow water.

  “Get away with you, Tommy,” he bellowed. “Go and find another boat to doss on.” He looked up at the group of four people and waved.

  Relieved, Brett waved back. He was surprised how nice the boat was, somehow he’d expected it to be a bit of a wreck but it was newly painted in blue with the black lettering ‘Ark of Hope’ signed across the bow. He’d seen photographs of it posted by the Professor on the internet but they hadn’t done it justice. He shook the Professor’s hand and introduced his friends.

  “I can’t tell you how much I’ve looked forward to meeting you,” Professor Bunting exclaimed. He looked up at the sky. “Bit concerned though. See those black clouds coming over?”

  Brett nodded. He’d noticed them from the hotel window but they seemed suspended over the ocean and he’d thought they might dissipate. “It’s not a problem, is it?” He asked worriedly. “Only if we don’t take this trip today we won’t get another chance.”

  The Professor beamed. “It’s fine.” He told Brett. “The Ark’s a good sturdy boat, been out in all weathers, a bit of rain won’t hurt her. Come on, welcome aboard.”

  Holding out his hand he helped Jade and Cassie step onto the boat followed by Brett and Robbie.

  “It’s lovely,” Jade said, meaning it.

  The Professor looked pleased. “Oh yes, she’s a grand boat, serves me well. Now make yourselves comfortable and we’ll get off.” He hesitated then turned to Brett, “Maybe you’d like to come with me and I can show you some of my research?”

  Brett would have preferred to have stayed on the deck with his friends who were settling very comfortably on the padded benches but he didn’t want to appear ungrateful. “I’d love to, Professor,” he told the old man warmly watching as he deftly undid the rope from a steel pole to release the boat.

  Henry grinned. “I’ve put a tape on for your friends, my favourite song.” He switched on an old battered tape recorder and the dulcet tones of the Platters singing ‘Only You’ drifted across the deck.

  The engine purred into life. “Service it myself regularly,” the Professor told Brett proudly. “And please call me Henry; Professor’s such a mouthful.”

  “Nice set up you’ve got here, Henry,” said Brett settling back in the cramped front area as the boat began gliding smoothly through the water.

  “It suits me.” Henry unscrewed a whisky
bottle and poured generous measures into two glasses and handed one to Brett. “This’ll set you up for the day ahead,” he told him, with a big grin. He nodded at a folder. “It’s all there; my life’s work. I need someone as passionate about my theories as I am to pass it on to. Are you that man, Brett?”

  The question took Brett by surprise. He hadn’t expected the Professor to be so blunt. The last thing he wanted to do was offend him. “I’m certainly intrigued with what you’ve come up with,” he replied carefully. “The thing is, Henry, I’m still a bit new to the idea. Don’t get me wrong, I can see the merit in what you’re saying, but I would like to know more about your flat earth theory before I make my mind up completely.” Brett wriggled uncomfortably, sipping at the whisky, hoping he hadn’t upset the old man.

  “Quite right too.” The Professor beamed. “A cautious man is a wise man I say. Let me tell you, by the time we’re back in the Bay you’ll know as much as I do.”

  Inwardly Brett groaned. It looked like he would be spending all his time with the Professor while his friends enjoyed the ride.

  He said, “I think your theory’s beginning to gain momentum, Henry. There’s quite a big movement going on now in the flat earth camp and your name crops up a lot. You must be pleased.”

  Henry chuckled. “So many different ideas coming through, I think most of them stem from a desire to buck the system, be different rather than any real belief.”

  Brett felt a pang of guilt.

  Cassie fidgeted on the padded seat. “I don’t think the Barley sweet helped much,” she moaned and put her hand to her mouth, burping gently.

  “Bloody hell, Cas; we’ve only been going ten minutes, get a grip.” Robbie told her.

  “I can’t help it if I’m seasick,” she whined and Jade sympathised, her friend did look pale. She had a sudden thought.

  “You’re not pregnant, are you?” she whispered to Cassie.

  Cassie’s eyes widened in shock, “Is this your way of telling me I’m getting fat?” she gasped.

  “God, no, it was a serious question.”

  “No, I’m not. What’s wrong with you? Can’t a girl be seasick without being accused of being pregnant now?”

  “I’m not accusing you, just asking.”

  “Well, don’t.” She groaned again.

  Robbie shook his head, “It’s as calm as a kiddie’s paddling pool, Cas, You’re just fed up because Brett’s spending his time with the Professor and not you.”

  “Stop being an arse,” Jade reprimanded him, handing Cassie another Barley sweet.

  Cassie shot him a withering look and Robbie bent down over the boat and ran his hand through a wave. “We just need the weather to brighten up and we can plaster on the lotion and sun bathe all day.”

  Cassie glanced at Jade. “I forgot the sun lotion,” she whispered, horrified.

  Robbie leaned forward, “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Too much sunbathing is bad for your skin anyway,” Cassie told him primly. “And there just wasn’t any room left in my bag for it.”

  Robbie glared at Cassie’s massive leather holdall and sat back defeated.

  Brett glanced behind him surprised how far out they were already. “Is this the Bermuda Triangle?” He asked the Professor.

  Henry laughed. “Part of it, the outer edge. We can do another ten knots before turning back. I’m not too sure today though.” He frowned as the first drop of rain hit the deck. “I was planning to take you to one of the small islands just off the coast. I’ve got lemonade and cheese sandwiches, we could have a picnic and you could have a better look at my work.”

  “Sounds great,” Brett said with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.

  “What do we do if it rains?” Jade shouted across to them. She was looking up and holding her hand out.

  “Umbrella’s under the seats.” Professor Bunting shouted back. He winked at Brett. “There’s a small cabin below I use as an office, your friends will be all right in there until the rain passes over. It’s usually fast and furious but over quick, don’t look so worried.”

  “I’m not,” Brett lied. He really didn’t like the look of the ominous black clouds almost overhead but he had to trust the Professor, if he said it was passing over then he had to believe him.

  More heavy splashes of rain began to fall. “Perhaps I should go and tell them.” Brett suggested.

  “You will come back?”

  “Of course.”

  Professor Bunting watched him go and sighed. The enthusiasm he hoped for hadn’t manifested itself. The young man had tried but Henry could see in his eyes he wasn’t really concentrating, he seemed more concerned with what his friends were doing. Maybe he’d been expecting too much. Brett might be shy, or anxious he’d say something stupid but Henry had the feeling he wasn’t as keen as he’d hoped.

  He blamed himself; he was a silly old fool who should have known better. He’d let his own enthusiasm rule his head and now he felt let down even though he knew he was being unfair. Brett hadn’t asked any pertinent questions; barely glancing at the handwritten notes in the folder in front of him and from the way he kept fidgeting Henry could tell he wasn’t concentrating. Maybe it was his own fault giving him a double shot of whisky; young people couldn’t hold their drinks like the old timers. Brett was pleasant enough, but the Professor didn’t think he’d found the soul mate he was searching for and it saddened him.

  Brett went below to make sure the cabin was big enough to shelter them from the rain. The boat was quite cramped with the Professor’s belongings, and it crossed Brett’s mind he might actually be living aboard. He pulled open the small cabin door and stepped inside. There was a small desk that took up one corner of the compact room, a swivelling chair, piles of folders and squashed against the filing cabinet was a little girl about eight years old.

  “Jesus!” Brett breathed in shock.

  Chapter 2

  “Hello,” the little girl smiled and stood up.

  “Who are you?” Brett asked curiously.

  “My name is Hope. Poppy named the boat after me.”

  She sounded proud. Brett said, “So the Professor is your granddad?” He paused and frowned. “Does he know you’re here?”

  Hope giggled and put her finger to her lip. She shook her head. “You won’t tell him, will you?”

  “I think I should. What about your parent’s, they’ll be missing you.”

  “Oh, they won’t mind,” Hope spoke vaguely as if her mum and dad were of no importance. She sat down on the swivel chair and began rocking to and fro. Her reddish blonde hair was in ringlets around her face and she wore a rather old fashioned blue polka dot dress that reached her ankles. Her feet were bare and dirty. Brett stood at the door.

  “I’ll be back with my friends in a few minutes,” he told her, “Don’t go away. There’s a storm coming, you need to stay in the cabin.”

  Hope nodded still smiling and Brett went back to the Professor. “You didn’t tell me you’d bought your granddaughter along,” he said almost accusingly. He thought the old man should have had more sense, especially as it appeared the girl’s parents didn’t know where she was. He pulled out his mobile phone from his jeans pocket. The least Henry could do was let them know their daughter was safe.

  Henry looked at him, a puzzled expression on his face. “Granddaughter? What are you talking about, son? I don’t have a granddaughter. I never married, or had any children.” He pointed to the phone. “That won’t work out here I’m afraid.”

  Brett slipped the phone back in his pocket. “She said her name was Hope, and that you’d named your boat after her.” He was upset and beginning to think the old man might be senile. He felt a rush of disappointment; this was beginning to seem like a bad idea. He was already bored and the Professor’s denial of his granddaughter was worrying.

  Henry stood up, wincing at the jolt of arthritic pain that speared through his knee.

  “Come on,” he said, “show me.” Brett fol
lowed him back to the cabin. It was empty. “You see?” the professor said waving his arm around, “There’s no-one in here. Go and fetch your friends,” he said kindly. “It’s starting to rain.”

  Cassie looked up as he approached. “About time,” she grumbled. “We’re getting soaked out here.” Which wasn’t strictly true, thought Brett, there wasn’t much more than a few splashes of rain hitting the deck.

  “Is it true then?” Robbie asked, “The earth is flat and the Professor is going to show us where the world ends?”

  “Shut up, Robbie or I might tip you overboard.”

  Jade laughed as she stood and gathered her bag up. “Behave, both of you. I’m getting cold,” she turned to Cassie, “I told you we should have bought our coats.” The boat suddenly rocked from side to side and Jade slid a few feet across the deck. “Shit! This isn’t funny, I think we should head back to the Bay.”

  Brett looked across the water. It was becoming choppy, the dark waves were pushing the Ark of Hope from side to side and he could hear them lashing against the shell of the boat. The storm seemed to be whipping itself into a frenzy and he was amazed how quickly it was happening. The Professor had said the rain didn’t last long but Brett wasn’t convinced, it seemed to him to be getting worse. He frowned and looked all around, disturbed that they appeared to be on their own in the middle of the ocean.

  The Bay had long since receded from view and for the first time he was beginning to feel genuinely concerned. The black clouds had moved directly overhead and the rain was coming down harder, there was a distant tremble of thunder and Brett wondered if this trip had been such a good idea.

  It was one thing in the warmth and comfort of your home to swap messages about some idealistic theory that may or may not be correct but confronted with the reality of the rawness of nature was taking things a bit too far. To be fair, he couldn’t blame the bad weather on the Professor, it was just bad luck.

  “We should hurry,” Brett said leading the way down. The Professor waved to them as they passed; he was fiddling with his paperwork and didn’t look concerned and Brett supposed it was all part of a day’s work for him. He shouted to him, “Do you think we should head back to the Bay?”