Saints and Sailors

by Pam Rhodes

  SAINTS AND SAILORS

  By the same author

  With Hymns and Hearts and Voices

  Fisher of Men

  Casting the Net

  If You Follow Me

  The Dunbridge Chronicles

  BOOK 4

  SAINTS AND SAILORS

  Pam Rhodes

  Text copyright © 2015 Pam Rhodes

  This edition copyright © 2015 Lion Hudson

  The right of Pam Rhodes to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Published by Lion Fiction

  an imprint of

  Lion Hudson plc

  Wilkinson House, Jordan Hill Road

  Oxford OX2 8DR, England

  www.lionhudson.com/fiction

  ISBN 978 1 78264 156 8

  e-ISBN 978 1 78264 157 5

  Acknowledgments

  Extract p. 72 taken from the song “Holy Ground” by Dave Bilbrough, copyright © 1997 Thankyou Music. Adm. by Capitol CMG Publishing worldwide excl. UK & Europe, admin by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, songs@integritymusic.com. Extract pp. 141–142 taken from “Make me a channel of your peace”, Prayer of St Francis (80478). Dedicated to Mrs Frances Tracy. © 1967, OCP, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

  Agent: Lili Panagi, Panmedia (www.panmediauk.co.uk)

  A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

  Cover image: Lion Hudson

  For pilgrims everywhere – blessings on you wherever your journey takes you

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  There are so many people without whose help and encouragement this book would have been impossible to write. Heartfelt thanks to you all!

  CHRIS GIDNEY of Christian-cruises.co.uk – I have taken part in several of their Christian cruises now, and have always found it the most wonderful experience. Looking forward to travelling the high seas with them again soon.

  CRUISE AND MARITIME and SAGA cruise lines, both of whom have had the vision to encourage Christian cruises on board their ships.

  CAPTAIN DAVID WARDEN-OWEN, now retired captain of some of the world’s most exclusive cruise ships – the Christian who first had the vision for these cruises.

  RHYDIAN ROBERTS – my favourite singing star, a Christian in the challenging world of entertainment who is a truly lovely man. His mum is delightful too.

  REVEREND ERNIE REA – formerly Head of Religious Broadcasting for the BBC and therefore my boss on Songs of Praise – now an inspiring lecturer.

  THE RIGHT REVEREND GEORGE CAREY, former Archbishop of Canterbury – has led the ministerial team on several of the Christian cruises I’ve taken part in. He and his wife Eileen are not just modest and inspiring, but terrific company.

  REVEREND ROSEMARY TAYLOR – friend, story-sharer and chaplain on Christian cruises.

  REVEREND ANDREW McLELLAN, former Moderator of The Church of Scotland, and his wife IRENE – both inspirational fellow pilgrims.

  DR ANNA ZAHORSKI – my friend, who is always so supportive and full of good ideas.

  TONY PARKINS – Cruise Director for Cruise and Maritime. Tony was incredibly helpful, not just with the book’s Christian programme on board, but ensuring my description of ship life was as accurate as possible.

  TERRY FEARNLEY – retired submariner who provided great ideas and information that helped create the character of Brig Young.

  SIMON AUSTIN – on-board entertainer who was very encouraging – and talented!

  REVEREND NIGEL BENNETT and his wife DELIA – Nigel shared his story with me during a couple of on-board “Songs of Praise”. A truly warm-hearted Christian family, and great travelling companions.

  ALISON and BRUCE LANGFORD – fellow pilgrims who have travelled with us on Christian cruises we have taken part in.

  LILI PANAGI – my agent and long-time friend.

  RICHARD CROW – my husband, toughest proofreader, leader of singing during our events, great dance partner and my favourite shipmate.

  WHO’S WHO IN DUNBRIDGE

  From St Stephen’s, Dunbridge, Bedfordshire

  Iris Fisher – Reverend Neil Fisher’s mother.

  Harry Holloway – great-uncle to Claire, Neil’s wife. Harry is both friend and neighbour to Iris.

  Clifford Davies – former show-business keyboard player, now church organist.

  Peter Fellowes – churchwarden.

  Val Fellowes – Peter’s wife.

  Brian Lambert – organist; father of Wendy.

  Sylvia Lambert – Brian’s wife; church choir leader; mother of Wendy, Neil’s former girlfriend.

  Julia Dawes – member of both the church choir and the Ladies’ Guild. Travelling with her mother, Ida, who has dementia.

  Barbara and John Curtis – stalwarts of St Stephen’s, keen on walking and photography.

  Raymond Callaghan – big, friendly man, slightly deaf.

  From St Jude’s, Burntacre, Derbyshire

  Reverend Neil Fisher – came to St Jude’s as vicar, having finished his curacy in Dunbridge the previous summer. Husband to Claire; son of Iris Fisher.

  Claire Fisher – Neil’s wife; mum to seven-year-old Sam; great-niece of Harry Holloway.

  Carole and Garry Swinton – Carole directs the church choir; Garry is Chairman of the parish council.

  Arthur Jones – D-Day veteran, travelling with his son Pete and grandson Callum.

  Deirdre O’Donnell – school teacher at Burntacre School; mum to Brendan; choir member at St Jude’s.

  Mark Stratton – research scientist; choir member at St Jude’s.

  Betty, Sheila and Marion – all altos in the choir.

  Jill and Rob Grenville – Jill is a soprano in the choir; Rob takes no part in church life.

  Ministry team

  Bishop Paul Ambrose – Bishop of Bedford, with his wife Margaret.

  Reverend Ros Martin – vicar from Worcestershire, assistant to Bishop Paul; organizes the Chaplain’s Corner.

  Reverend Maurice Brown – Methodist minister from Exeter.

  Father Peter and Sister Maureen – from a large parish in Birmingham, with a group of Catholic mothers.

  Reverend Ernie Rea – lecturer on board, former head of Religious Broadcasting for the BBC.

  Pam Rhodes – presenter of BBC Television’s Songs of Praise series, travelling with husband Richard.

  Cruise staff and crew members

  Captain Stephan Johannson – Scandinavian captain of The Pilgrim.

  Ramon Moreno – Cruise Director, in charge of the ship’s programme.

  Jane Thurlow – Assistant Cruise Director.

  Brad Osbourn – on-board doctor, travelling with his wife Joanne.

  Andrew Bragnall – keyboard player in the cocktail bar, on his first professional contract.

  Maureen and Bill Bragnall – Andrew’s mum and dad.

  Sharon – head dancer.

  Michael – lead singer.

  Other passengers on board

  Rhydian Roberts – international singing star.

  Bernie Gordon – Rhydian’s agent.

  Brig Young – former submariner, travelling with his wife Daisy.

  Nigel, Brian, Margaret and Fiona – all interviewed during the on-board “Songs of Praise” event.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1: DUNBRIDGE AND BURNTACRE

  CHAPTER 2: TILBURY

  CHAPTER 3: BERWICK-UP
ON-TWEED

  CHAPTER 4: KIRKWALL, ORKNEY

  CHAPTER 5: TOBERMORY THE ISLE OF MULL

  CHAPTER 6: DUBLIN

  CHAPTER 7: THE ISLES OF SCILLY

  CHAPTER 8: ST PETER PORT, GUERNSEY

  CHAPTER 9: HONFLEUR

  CHAPTER 10: TILBURY

  CHAPTER 11: DUNBRIDGE

  CHAPTER 1

  DUNBRIDGE AND BURNTACRE

  Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go.

  Charles Wesley

  “Will we need wellies?”

  “Probably not. I’d take your walking boots, though.” Claire answered Neil without looking up from the holdall she was packing.

  “Umbrella?” he asked.

  “I’ve got a small one, and you’ve got a hood on your jacket.”

  “Should I take one pair of thick socks, or two?”

  “One.”

  “How many dress shirts?”

  “You’ve only got one.”

  “And jumpers?”

  “For heaven’s sake!” Claire looked at Neil with exasperation. “You go and sort out the paperwork and books you need to take with you, and I’ll do the rest.”

  He grinned. “That worked, then! I hate packing.”

  “I’d never have guessed,” she laughed, aiming an odd sock in his direction as he headed for the door. “And put the kettle on while you’re at it.”

  Ten minutes later, when Neil returned with two mugs of steaming coffee, the holdalls were neatly packed. Claire tidied away the last bits and pieces before sitting down on the bed next to him, lifting her face for his kiss as he handed her the cup.

  “I’ve just had a call from Mum,” he said. “She’s all ready to go.”

  Claire chuckled. “Iris has had her case packed for about a week.”

  “Peter and Val are picking her and Harry up at eleven. But they reckon it should only take a couple of hours for them to get to Tilbury Docks. It’s so much further from here – I’ve no idea how long it’ll take us to battle our way down the M1 and around the M25 to get there.”

  “It’ll be nice to see the St Stephen’s crowd again,” said Claire, taking a sip of coffee. “Even nicer to be on holiday with them. This was a great idea, to get some of your old parish and your new one to meet up. And cruising round Britain sounds brilliant!”

  “I’m not sure how much of a holiday it’s going to be for me,” mused Neil. “I’m thrilled that they asked me to be one of the Christian team on board, of course, but I’d feel better if I had a clearer idea of what it involves.”

  “That’s why you’ve got all those books on Celtic saints taking up space in our bags,” she teased. “I’d be squeezing in a couple of extra pairs of shoes if it weren’t for them.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t need so many reference books if I knew for sure that the internet always works reliably on a cruise ship. Do you think it does when you’re out in the middle of the ocean?”

  “Oh, I should think so…”

  “Bishop Paul’ll know what he’s doing, of course, and it’s flattering that he asked me to help with the ministry side of things. After all, I was just a curate in Dunbridge for the three years he was my bishop, and that was only nine months ago. I’ve still got a lot to learn. I hope I don’t let him down.”

  Claire smiled. “Not many curates find themselves running a busy parish all by themselves when they’ve hardly been ordained a year. Bishop Paul knows how much you took on when the rector left, and how well you coped. For heaven’s sake, by the time you left Dunbridge, your parishioners were asking him to let you stay and take on the parish as their full-time priest. He said himself he’d never known that happen before!”

  “Do you ever regret moving to Derbyshire instead of staying there, Claire? After all, we had to take Sam out of his school and leave your Uncle Harry just after his eightieth birthday. It was a big upheaval.”

  “Sam’s OK – he’s really settled here. What six-year-old wouldn’t love all these trees to climb and space to kick a ball about with a gang of friends? He loves it.”

  “Quiet, isn’t it, without him?”

  “Mmm. He loves staying with Mum in Scarborough, though.”

  “Let’s face it, he couldn’t wait to get out the door, because she and David always spoil him rotten. He’ll have a lovely holiday.”

  “Do you think he’s missing me?”

  “Probably not as much as we’re missing him, but you know we can ring him.”

  “I’m looking forward to all the places we’re going. I’ve always wondered what Orkney is like, after years of hearing it mentioned on the weather forecast!”

  “And Lindisfarne. A group of us went to Holy Island in my first year at college. I’ve never forgotten the impact it had on me.”

  “Dublin, Guernsey and the Normandy coast – so many lovely places.”

  “And we get to sail round the coast being pampered on a cruise ship…”

  “I wonder how the Christianity bit will fit in?” mused Claire, her face thoughtful. “You know, I’m still not completely into this God stuff. I hope it’s not going to be all worthy and prim.”

  Neil laughed. “Because you, Mrs Fisher, are definitely not prim, I’m very glad to say.”

  Smiling cheekily in return, she continued, “I think the evenings will be good, though, because they put on some big production shows. And then, of course, Rhydian’s going to be on board…” Claire’s expression became dreamy as she spoke. “I wonder if I’ll get a chance to meet him. He’s really famous! I love his voice – and he’s very attractive…”

  Neil looked indignant. “I’m attractive – and I can serenade you, if you like.”

  “My darling Neil, you have many abilities, but serenading is not one of them.”

  He laughed. “I remember at theological college when they were trying to teach us various options for singing the responses during the Eucharist. The music lecturer took me to one side and said it would probably be better if I just spoke them. I felt deeply offended.”

  “The truth hurts,” laughed Claire, “and so would your congregation’s ears if you put them through that!”

  “Anyway, I won’t be seeing much of the shows. I’ve got my evening worship services to prepare, when I say something about the life and spirituality of each saint, and lead worship based on the Celtic tradition. Apparently those gatherings will be held in the ship’s chapel, so they’ll feel very intimate and hopefully moving. That’s the plan anyway. I really want to get everything just right.”

  “You’ll be great,” said Claire.

  “Oh, and that woman off the telly – you know, Pam Rhodes, who’s been on Songs of Praise since I was in short trousers – she’s coming too.”

  “Harry’ll like that. Songs of Praise has been his favourite television programme for years.”

  “Mum’s too.”

  “Will there be cameras on board, then?”

  “No. She’ll be organizing our own version of Songs of Praise on the ship towards the end of the cruise, but it’s not for broadcasting.”

  “Good job we’ve got some of our St Jude’s choir coming, then,” said Claire, “and I think most of the Dunbridge group have sung in St Stephen’s choir at one time or another. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again.”

  “Me too,” agreed Neil, glancing at the bedside clock. “Come on, it’s nearly midnight. I need my beauty sleep. Early start in the morning!”

  She leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder. “It’ll be like a second honeymoon, cruising around Britain for nine days.”

  “I hope I’m not seasick.”

  She looked up at him. “You’ve just ruined a romantic moment!”

  “Oh,” he said, planting small kisses across her cheek until he could whisper in her ear, “don’t you worry. There’ll be plenty of those. I’ll make sure of that…”

  Claire turned her face so that her lips met his. “Sounds good to me…”

  “I haven’t slept a wink. I’m worried.”


  Iris made her announcement the moment she stepped inside Harry’s back door. Harry, who was still in his dressing gown, looked at her in surprise.

  “It’s only eight o’clock. We’re not being picked up for three hours.”

  “I’m ready. I hate being late. And I’m worried.” Reaching for the kettle, Harry sighed. “Let me guess. You’re worried about high winds on the high seas?”

  She looked at him with disdain. “Of course not. I’m excellent on water. I often went sailing with my father when I was a girl. That was one of the benefits of growing up in Bristol. We had our own boat.”

  “You did?” asked Harry, plainly impressed.

  “A rowing boat called Dumpy.”

  “Nice!” Harry suppressed a smile as he turned away to fill the kettle. “Well, you can’t be worried that you won’t have enough clothes to wear. You ended up putting some of your things in my case!”

  “You don’t need to take much. You’re a man.”

  “A mere man I might be – and into my eighties – but I do still like to look smart.”

  “Yes, but gentlemen don’t need to bother as much as ladies to look smart on a cruise ship. We have to dress for dinner, you know. And on formal nights we really do need evening gowns – with shoes to match, of course.”

  “Oh, of course,” smiled Harry, who was really more interested in filling the kettle than Iris’s fashion plans. “So, let me guess. Are you worried you haven’t got enough handbags?”

  “Now you’re being sarcastic. I have two for days out, one containing a foldaway shopping bag, plus two evening clutch bags in gold and silver. That should be ample.”

  “Well, I give up. What’s left to worry you?”

  “The catering. How hygienic can it possibly be if they’re having to cook three meals, plus afternoon tea, for around four hundred passengers every day? And that’s not to mention feeding all the staff too. The Pilgrim’s small fry as far as these cruise ships go nowadays, but then it’s really quite old. I’ve been looking it up. Do you think, in an old ship, the kitchens are up to scratch?”