“Better every day,” Mai said. “Which is a huge relief. Have you had any more news on your house?”
“The survey was done yesterday. A couple more weeks to completion and then the builders can go in and sort the bathroom and install the Aga.”
“Has Cassie mentioned her idea of swapping houses with Tom and me?” Mai asked casually.
Anna nodded. “Yes. She’s very keen on the idea.”
“She hasn’t just suggested it because she knows it will be easier for us?”
“Definitely not,” Anna said firmly. “Cassie wants to do something she has never done before - live alone, with no responsibility for anyone but herself. And Solo of course.” She laughed as the dog came racing back to them with a large stick for them to throw.
“How do you feel about the idea anyway?” She looked at Mai.
“It would be great. Tom should be out of the wheelchair soon and the stairs there are a lot easier for him to manage. We could have a proper nursery too.”
Sudden frenzied barking from Solo brought the conversation to an end as Mai and Anna began to run towards her.
A teenage boy was trying to free a small wooden boat from the mud flat on the river’s edge. An outboard motor fixed lopsidedly to the boats stern looked in danger of falling off. As Solo continued to bark at the boy, he kicked out at her.
“Hey stop that,” Anna and Mae both yelled together.
“The dog attacked me. Dangerous dogs are supposed to be muzzled.”
“She’s not dangerous. You must have done something to her,” Anna snapped.
“Solo come here.”
With a last loud warning bark at the boy, Solo reluctantly did as she was told and Mai quickly clipped her lead on. Solo continued to utter low throated growls as they walked away leaving the boy struggling to get the boat in to the water.
Back at the yard, they told Tom about the incident.
“He was probably doing some illicit fishing.” Tom shrugged.
“I don’t know, Tom,” Anna said. “He looked pretty shifty to me. And Solo definitely didn’t like him.”
“Well, if you’re worried, mention it to James. He usually knows which rogues are out and about on the river. Right now though I’ve got enough to worry about.”
He looked at them steadfastly.
“I’ve lost contact with Polly. And so has Race HQ.”
*******
Flight of the Seagull had sailed into Cape Town to a rapturous welcome before the news filtered through that contact had been lost with Polly and Clotted Cream.
Around her, the noise of the celebrations faded into the background as a shocked Cassie tried to take in what Dexter was telling her.
“Cassie, please don’t worry. We know her position as of twelve hours ago when she was fine and making good time. We also know she’s been having problems with her generator. More than likely that’s what has caused the communication problem.”
Cassie looked at him numbly. Willing him to be speaking the truth.
“Right now Race, HQ is contacting the boat in third position to see if he has seen her. As soon as we have any news you’ll be told.”
“It could be some time before we hear anything though,” Dexter continued. “Why don’t you go back to the hotel and get some rest?”
“I’d rather wait here,” Cassie began to protest, when Becky interrupted.
“I’ll drive you. I’ve got my mobile and as soon as there is any news Trev or Dexter will phone. We can be back here in minutes.”
Dexter looked at her gratefully.
“Honestly, Cassie nothing is going to happen for a few hours.”
Once back at the hotel Becky insisted on ordering some sandwiches and a pot of coffee from room service.
“Come on Cassie, you need to eat something. It’s going to be a long night.”
But Cassie was too wound up to eat or drink a thing.
Becky’s prophecy of a long night ahead of them proved to be true. It was gone two o’clock when Becky’s mobile phone rang.
Cassie, lying on the bed with her eyes closed, feigning sleep, was immediately on her feet, staring fearfully at her friend.
“Thanks, Trev. I’ll tell her.” Becky looked at Cassie.
“They’ve had a sighting of Polly. There’s still been no contact, but she appears to be sailing hard and, on her current course is about three hours away from Cape Town.”
“What else?”
“The sighting was made by the yacht in third position, ‘World Wanderer’. He’s rapidly gaining on her and there is a chance that Polly will lose her second position.”
“So long as she’s safe,” was Cassie’s instinctive reaction to Becky’s words.
“Dexter has arranged for you to go out in the launch when we get back to the Yacht Club and escort Clotted Cream into her berth,” Becky told her.
Cassie immediately picked up her yellow waterproofs. “Let’s go,” she said.
As they drove back towards the Yacht Club, Cassie was amazed at the number of people making their way along the waterfront.
“They’ll have heard of Polly’s problems and be determined to give her a proper welcome to Cape Town, even if it is the middle of the night.”
Dexter was waiting for them, Trev and Colin the winning skipper with him.
“Cassie we’ve got an estimated time of five o’clock for Polly crossing the finish, so we plan to leave here in about an hour.”
Now she knew Polly was within sight of the coastline Cassie felt the nervous tension of the past few hours slipping away.
She struggled into her waterproofs and headed off with the others down to the boat. On the way Cassie asked Dexter about the yacht which reported sighting Polly.
“Is he still gaining on her?”
Dexter shook his head. “No, she’s managing to hold on to her lead but the wind a couple of miles off shore is very fickle. She’s going to lose speed the closer she gets to the finish line. But then, so is ‘World Wanderer’.”
There was a discernible hum of excitement aboard the flotilla of boats going out to the finish line.
As Trev said to Cassie as they took off into the night, “To have two yachts still racing in such close quarters for second place after nearly 7,000 miles is almost unheard of.”
It was Colin who spotted the first sails.
“There’s one of them,” he shouted, his binoculars with their night sight trained on the distant sea.
“It’s World Wanderer,” and he began to scan the sea again while Cassie’s heart began to pound. Where was Polly?
Half a minute passed before Colin handed Cassie the binoculars and pointed out the direction she should look. Polly was coming in on a different course.
Everyone held their breath wondering which skipper had chosen the best option.
As the sky began to lighten and dawn approached, Clotted Cream drew closer, its mainsail taking full advantage of the available breeze. Finally, she was close enough for Cassie to see the small figure of her daughter standing in the cockpit.
Cassie felt the tell tale pinprick of tears starting in her eyes. She knew Polly would be desperate to finish before ‘World Wanderer’, whereas she was just pleased to have her daughter complete this first leg safely.
“Wind’s died,” Trev observed.
Polly’s sail began to flap and she quickly tacked in an effort to find some air movement. The next few minutes were nerve racking as Clotted Cream wallowed in the sea, tantalisingly close to the finish line, and her rival sailed closer.
Then, at the moment the sky turned pale pink with the dawn and a wispy tablecloth tumbled over the edge of Table Top Mountain, Clotted Cream found an elusive breeze. Two minutes later the gun rang out as she crossed the line to a tumultuous welcome. Polly had done it. She was second. Nigel, skipper of ‘World Wanderer’ followed her in six minutes later to an equally enthusiastic reception.
Flares were set off, boat hooters sounded, cameras flashed and champagne co
rks popped. The shore crew boarded Clotted Cream and took control of her as she was towed into port.
Polly, punching the air with delight, was overjoyed to see Cassie in the launch.
“Come on board Mum!” she cried.
By the time Cassie had clambered on to the deck of Clotted Cream, the tears were flowing freely from both mother and daughter.
As they made the short trip into the harbour Cassie struggled to get them under control and asked Polly why she’d lost contact in the last twenty-four hours.
“The generator packed up and unfortunately I’d forgotten to charge my batteries fully the night before. The only thing I could do was to switch everything off so there would be enough battery power to work the autopilot every hour whilst I had a catnap. Thank goodness it happened at the end of the leg. No auto pilot means no sleep.”
Once the yacht was tied up in her allocated berth Dexter came on board to congratulate Polly.
“Well done Polly,” he said giving her a warm hug, holding her tight for several seconds.
Cassie was amused to see that Polly wasn’t averse to staying in his arms for as long as he held her.
“Ready for the crowds?” he asked. “The reception committee and the Press are waiting for you in the club house.”
“All I really want is a hot shower and a comfortable bed,” Polly replied.
“Later, I promise,” Dexter said.
“Hang on, I’ve forgotten something.” Polly dived back down below, emerging seconds later with Nero and Fred Bear clutched tightly to her.
“Can’t leave them behind,” she said. “They’d miss me.”
It took some time to make any progress towards the clubhouse as everyone they passed wanted to congratulate Polly.
Cassie watched proudly as ‘Little Polly’ as everybody now seemed determined to call her, made her second place acceptance speech.
It was only as Nigel made his speech and laughingly warned her, “I’ll be chasing you even harder in the next leg Little Polly,” that Cassie remembered this wasn’t the end.
Polly still had over twenty thousand miles to sail and a lot of those miles would be in the inhospitable and dangerous Southern Ocean.
Chapter Nine
Polly glanced at Cassie as she packed. “It’s been a great four days. I’m so glad you came, Mum.”
“Thank you for making it possible,” Cassie replied. She looked at her daughter affectionately.
“It didn’t bring back too many sad memories?” Polly asked quietly.
Cassie shook her head. “It’s completely different from the days when your dad was competing. There’s much more razzamatazz - more fun altogether. Although I don’t suppose the actual sailing has changed much. It’s still pretty tough out there isn’t it?”
“I love the challenge,” Polly replied. “And at least I didn’t disgrace myself on Leg One. Even Tom admitted second place was a result!”
“The next two legs are a different prospect, though, aren’t they? The Southern Ocean followed by Cape Horn,” Cassie said quietly.
“Mum, it will be fine,” Polly reassured her.
“Now, are you going to wear your new dress this evening?” she said, changing the subject.
“You don’t think it’s a bit over the top for me?” Cassie fingered the soft chiffon material of the dress she’d fallen for in an up market boutique down on the waterfront.
“Of course not,” Polly said. “It really suits you.”
Cassie glanced at her watch.
“What time is Dexter picking us up?” she asked.
“In about half an hour. While you finish packing I’ll grab a shower.” Polly vanished into the bathroom.
Dexter was waiting for them in the hotel foyer when they went downstairs, ready to drive them out to Becky and Trev’s house in the suburbs.
Becky had insisted on organising a farewell evening for Cassie.
“It’s the least I can do now we’ve met up again. Besides I want you to see my home.”
Situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the house with its seven rooms had spectacular views and was clearly a much loved home.
Trev had done well with his yachting and chartering business Cassie thought.
Inevitably, the conversation was very yacht orientated and Cassie found herself laughing as Trev told the other guests about events from their shared past.
She even found herself recalling a couple of incidents Trev had forgotten, involving herself and Miles - happy memories she hadn’t thought about in years.
Looking at her old friends, Cassie felt a tinge of sadness for the lost years. She’d been silly to cut herself off from those people who’d meant so much to her.
It was Polly who brought her back into the conversation.
“Has Mum told you her plans for changing her life now that Tom’s married and I’m off sailing?” she asked Becky. “It’s her way of beating the empty nest syndrome”
Becky glanced at Cassie. Like Polly, she knew it was more than empty nest syndrome Cassie was attempting to fight. They’d always been able to confide in each other. The years apart hadn’t changed that.
“She’s mentioned moving into a small cottage. Doing her own thing,” Becky said. “I think it’s an excellent idea.”
“Actually,” Trev interrupted, “I’ve got an even better idea.” He turned to Cassie.
“Why don’t you come and live here?”
“Trev you’re brilliant,” Becky exclaimed. “Why didn’t I think of that? Cassie, why not? You say it’s time to think about your life, do something different, lay all those ghosts. Well, do it here. Come and live with us. We’ve plenty of room. Come for six months and see what happens.”
“There you go Mum. What an opportunity.” Polly was full of enthusiasm for the plan, but Cassie was rendered completely speechless.
Mai was driving Tom back from the hospital, where he’d had the heavy plaster casts taken off his legs and replaced with less cumbersome splints.
“I know it’s early days yet, but I’ve been thinking about God-parents for the baby,” she said.
“Polly for one of the godmothers,” Tom replied.
“We’ll have to choose names, too. Or should we wait and see what the baby looks like first? I have to admit though I like old-fashioned names rather than trendy modern ones.”
“Good,” Mai agreed. “I’ve been favouring Alice for a girl and Samuel for a boy.”
“Your old room can be the nursery. We’ll paint it pale yellow and light blue,” Mai continued enthusiastically. “I’ve seen some lovely wallpaper.”
“We’re taking Mum up on her offer, then?” Tom asked quietly.
“You have doubts?”
“I just don’t want Mum feeling she’s being pushed out of her own home.”
“According to Anna, this is something she really wants to do.”
Mai drove into the boatyard and parked.
“Mum’s due back in a couple of days. Before then we must all get together and make plans for her birthday next month. She’s fifty, so, we’ll have to organise something special,” Tom said.
Just then, Anna appeared to give Mai a hand helping Tom out of the car and on to crutches for the first time. She seemed distracted.
“Is something the matter Anna?”
Anna sighed.
“River View has been broken into. James says it looks as though someone was planning to squat there. Nothing seems to be missing and they’ve found a sleeping bag upstairs. Bill’s there now, repairing the window and trying to make the place more secure.”
“When did it happen?” Tom asked.
“James noticed the broken window this morning as he was doing one of his regular river patrols. He suggested we tighten security here and in the boatyard. A couple of the boats down river have had outboard motors taken,” Anna said.
“Does James have any idea who’s responsible?” Tom asked.
Anna shook her head. “Apparently the
re’s been a few strangers around recently, including the shifty boy we saw on the river path, but there’s nothing to link them to anything.”
“I’m off to the cottage to do a spot of clearing up before Cassie gets home. Do you have time to join me, Mai?”
“Of course,” Mai agreed.
“You’d better take Solo with you,” Tom said. “And can you ask Gramps if he any ideas for Mum’s party?”
Cassie shivered as the cold British air hit her the moment she stepped out on to the airport concourse. The all too familiar overcast sky after the blue of South Africa was an instant reminder of the beautiful weather she’d left Polly enjoying in the count down to the next leg of the race.
She was about to drag her suitcase along to the taxi rank when she heard her name being called.
“Cassie wait.”
Turning, she was surprised to see Doug striding towards her.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I wanted to be in the arrivals lounge to meet you but I was held up. Here, let me carry that.” Doug took the suitcase from her.
“Did you have a good flight?”
Cassie nodded. “Yes thanks. What are you doing here anyway?” she asked.
“I was on my way back from Scotland and thought you might like company for the last part of your journey home.” Doug smiled at her.
Doug’s car, a seriously up market model with a luxurious leather interior was soon eating up the motorway miles. Cassie began to relax.
“Tell me about your holiday,” Doug said. “Did you take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain? Visit Robbens Island. Go Whale watching?”
“Yes, yes and no. It was the wrong season for whales. But there was so much else to do and see, the days went by far too quickly. Polly and I had a wonderful time.
“And I had a lovely surprise, too. I met up with some old friends.” Cassie told Doug about Becky and Trev.
A few miles further on, Doug pulled off the motorway for petrol.
“I thought we’d stop for lunch too. There’s a good restaurant where I usually call in on my way down. You don’t have to be back by any particular time, do you?”
FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA Page 10
