Bring Me Sunshine Read online

  ‘She fell on the outer stairs.’

  The sick bay was bright and roomy. To Jenny’s left as they entered, were two small alcoves which would serve as rooms for patients. They had curtains, rather than doors. The curtains were pulled back to reveal empty beds. To the right was another curtained alcove. This was the treatment room. As the door closed behind Jenny, a familiar figure emerged from the doctor’s office.

  ‘Jenny! Are you all right?’ Vera’s face was creased with concern.

  ‘I’m fine. It’s just my wrist.’ Jenny allowed herself to be settled on to a bed. ‘Honestly, it’s no big deal.’

  ‘You let William be the judge of that,’ Vera said.

  ‘William?’

  ‘That’s me,’ the doctor gently took her wrist and turned it over to examine it. ‘Can you move your fingers?’

  She could but it hurt.

  ‘Just a sprain,’ the doctor pronounced. ‘I’ll strap it for you. And we probably should put something on that scratch.’

  ‘Scratch?’ Jenny had no idea what he was talking about.

  ‘Your cheek, dear.’ Vera offered helpfully.

  Now she thought about it, Jenny became aware that her cheek was smarting. She touched it gently and saw a small stain of blood on her fingers as she took them away. ‘How did that happen?’

  ‘I think you scraped your face against the edge of the steps,’ her rescuer offered. His lips had curved into a slight smile that made his face even more handsome. The sight of her blood had not caused him to suddenly sprout fangs, which further disproved Lian’s vampire theory.

  Silence settled on the small group in the sick bay as the doctor tended to Jenny’s cheek.

  ‘Well, I think you’re in safe hands now.’ Her rescuer was leaving!

  ‘Thank you for helping me …’ Jenny paused, giving him a chance to tell her his name.

  ‘You are very welcome,’ he said as he vanished.

  Jenny stared after him.

  ‘Why won’t you tell me your name?’ she asked the closing door.

  The owner’s suite was by far the most luxurious place on board the Cape Adare, designed and outfitted for people with money, who appreciated the very best of everything.

  It was U-shaped and spanned the full width of the ship, as did the balcony on the other side of the huge picture windows. The bathroom which sat in one arm of the U was small, but the towels were thick and soft. The bed was the largest on the ship, much bigger than even the captain’s bunk, and it was liberally dotted with thick feather pillows. The carpet in the cabin was a similar blue to that in the public areas, but it was deeper and richer. There was a sofa, a comfortable arm chair and a dining table with four chairs. A closer look at the furniture would reveal the subtle but sturdy fixtures that held the pieces to the floor, to keep it stable in even the roughest seas.

  As well as the standard tea and coffee making facilities, there was a bar fridge, well stocked, and some fine crystal glasses. Once again, all were suitably fixed in place with soft leather straps. Except for one fine crystal glass, which was in the hand of the man who stood on the balcony.

  He hadn’t really noticed the quality of the crystal. Such things meant little to him. He had, however, noticed the quality of the dark amber liquid inside the glass, and he sipped it slowly, savouring the taste. The movement of the ship caused the dark amber liquid inside the glass to slosh about, but not a drop was spilled. The passenger had good balance – but he also had one hand on the railing that lined not only this balcony, but every part of the ship. One hand for you, one hand for the ship. It was a seafaring maxim, and this passenger had taken good note of it. He wasn’t about to fall down any stairs.

  ‘Why didn’t I tell her my name?’ he asked the empty night.

  The answer was simple – habit. The desire to preserve his privacy had become a need for anonymity so strong that giving out his name was almost like breaking a sacred taboo.

  He could simply have told her his name was Christopher, which it was. He might even have said Christopher Walker. She would never have recognised it. But no one called him Christopher. He had been Kit since he was a boy. Would she know who Kit Walker was? Possibly. It was better that he kept his secret.

  He took another sip of scotch, feeling the spirit gently warm his throat. They were a long way south now, it was getting colder. The wind on his face was so cold it was almost painful. He welcomed it, just as he welcomed the images flashing inside his head and the desire that was making his fingers twitch.

  He turned back inside the cabin. Closing out the cold and the wind and the night. On the starboard side of his cabin, a selection of boxes and packages had been stowed, securely fixed against the sort of weather they were now beginning to encounter. Only one of those packages had been opened. He’d done that during the quiet hours at the island. He’d run his hands over the dark polished wood that was so familiar to him it was like a part of his body – but had of late been a stranger. He’d even gone so far as to take it onto the balcony, ready for him. But when they’d departed the island, he’d packed it away safely again. He still couldn’t take that step.

  In another couple of days, after they had crossed the wild southern ocean, the seas would become almost glassy. At that point, should he wish, he could open all those boxes. Although he’d gone to great pains to bring everything he might need, he hadn’t really thought he would unwrap those packages. It had been two years since …

  He swallowed the last of the scotch. Two years was a long time. He put the glass down and stared at his hands, turning them slowly over to study the lines on his palms. They were such ordinary hands. What if he couldn’t do it anymore? What if his hands had lost their magic when his heart broke?

  No. He wouldn’t believe that. He couldn’t believe that. This trip was supposed to free him from that terrible prison of his own making. He closed his eyes dreading the darkness that had haunted him for so long. But this time, the darkness didn’t come. For the first time in so many agonising months, there was light waiting for him. A soft golden light. Warm and welcoming. And in the light, he saw a girl who talked to dolphins. His fingers began to tingle. Without pausing to ask why or how … he welcomed the gift and ripped open one of the packages.

  ‘He’s right above us, you know,’ Vera said in a conspiratorial tone.

  ‘Who is?’ Jenny asked, although she knew very well who Vera was talking about. He was on her mind too.

  ‘Your mysterious friend and rescuer,’ Vera said. ‘Now, how do you have your tea?’

  Jenny sank back into the sofa with a sigh. Her wrist was firmly strapped, and the scratch on her face has been bathed and pronounced not life-threatening. Vera had insisted that Jenny accompany her to her suite, for a restorative cup of tea. On the way, they had bumped into Lian, sitting quietly in a corner and looking a little sad. Vera had gathered the girl up as they passed, declaring that the three of them would all enjoy a nice girlie chat and a good cup of tea. There had also been mention of biscuits.

  ‘How nice, to be rescued like that,’ Lian sighed. ‘Although it is a shame he’s not a vampire.’

  ‘Never mind,’ Jenny said, grinning. ‘Maybe next time.’

  ‘You know, he still could be a criminal,’ Vera said, clattering mugs around as she made their drinks. ‘Otherwise, why didn’t he tell you his name?’

  ‘There could be a perfectly good reason,’ Jenny leaped to his defence.

  ‘Such as?’ Lian challenged.

  ‘Maybe …’ Jenny mentally groped for an answer. ‘Maybe he’s famous. A famous actor …’

  ‘But we’d recognise him!’ Lian protested.

  ‘An author then. Someone we might have heard of, but wouldn’t recognise.’

  Behind Jenny, Vera suddenly dropped a cup.

  ‘Let me help you,’ Lian got to her feet, staggering just a little with the movement of the ship as she went to help.

  Vera’s suite was about three times the size of the tiny crew cabins, and far
more luxurious. Jenny sank back into the seat, enjoying the chance to just relax, and let someone else do the organising.

  ‘By the way,’ she said. ‘Why were you down with the doctor when I arrived, Vera? You weren’t feeling seasick were you?’

  ‘Good heavens, Jenny. Do I look like the sort who gets seasick?’

  Jenny had to admit she didn’t.

  ‘I was having a lovely chat to him about the effect of extreme cold on the libido.’

  Jenny raised an eyebrow as Lian stifled a giggle. Was Vera worried that the cold was going to turn the men on board into sex-crazed monsters … or maybe it was herself she was worried about.

  ‘And what did he say?’ Jenny had to ask as she accepted a steaming cup from Lian.

  ‘He didn’t seem to have much information,’ Vera shook her head in puzzlement. ‘I shall have to google it.’

  ‘Well, hopefully, it won’t deter Jenny’s rescuer,’ Lian said grinning.

  ‘Stop it!’ Jenny protested, but she couldn’t stop her eyes from glancing upward towards the deck above and the owner’s cabin, where right now, the mysterious passenger might be …

  It was a good thing her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She didn’t altogether like where the conversation was going.

  Vera opened the door.

  ‘Come in Anna,’ she stepped aside to let the expedition leader’s wife enter the room.

  ‘Hi, Jenny,’ Anna said. ‘How are you? The doctor said I’d find you here. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help earlier. I was off nursing some of the seasick passengers.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it,’ Jenny said. ‘I imagine you and the doctor have got more than enough on your plate, without worrying about me.’

  ‘We soon will, I think,’ Anna said.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Vera asked.

  ‘Well, I guess it’s all right to tell you,’ Anna said. ‘It will be all over the ship soon.’

  ‘What will?’

  ‘We’re changing our heading,’ Anna said. ‘Because of the storm.’

  Jenny nodded; there had been a lot of discussion earlier that day about a huge storm tearing through the ocean south east of their position.

  ‘We’re going around it?’ It seemed the sensible thing to do.

  ‘Not exactly,’ Anna hesitated, then shrugged. ‘You may as well know now … we’re heading into it.’

  ‘What!’ Vera and Lian asked in unison.

  ‘Why?’ Jenny added.

  ‘There’s a yacht. A lone sailor on some round the world quest. He’s in trouble. The yacht is sinking and we’re the only ship close enough to attempt a rescue.’

  ‘Isn’t that dangerous?’ Lian asked in a shaky voice. ‘Surely the captain wouldn’t risk this ship and everyone on board for just one man?’

  ‘The Cape Adare is big enough to handle the storm,’ Anna assured her. ‘There’s no real risk. There’s also no real choice. The International Law of the Sea requires us to go to his rescue.’

  ‘And it’s the right thing to do,’ Vera said.

  ‘Yes. It is,’ Anna agreed. ‘We have to at least try to reach him.’

  ‘And he’s …’ Jenny had a feeling she already knew the answer.

  ‘Right in the heart of the storm.’

  Chapter Ten

  The waves were truly terrifying.

  In the observation lounge, Lian gripped the sides of her chair, while the Cape Adare fought her way into the storm. The foaming water crashed over the bow of the ship as she plunged into another giant wave. Lian closed her eyes as the ship rolled from side to side. If it was like this for a big ship like the Cape Adare, how must it be for a small yacht … and a man alone on that yacht?

  ‘Cor! Imagine being out there in that.’

  Lian glanced up. Several of the English lads had wandered into the lounge. Well, staggered would be a better word as they lurched with the rolling of the ship, grabbing on to whatever looked solid enough to stabilise them. A couple of them looked a little green around the gills. Lian wondered if they knew that the ship’s doctor was handing out seasickness pills as if they were sweeties. Strangely enough, with the onset of the storm, her own stomach had settled – it was as if the morning sickness had retreated in the face of far bigger concerns.

  She rested her hand on her stomach and thought about the new life starting there. The new life that she was supposed to protect and nurture. Yet here she was on a ship that was driving headfirst into a terrifying storm. She wasn’t afraid that the ship would sink. If there was any danger of that, the captain would turn the ship around. Wouldn’t he? She was more afraid of what might happen if she lost her balance on the heaving deck. Would a fall harm her? Harm her baby? She had no idea. What was she doing? She needed help. She couldn’t face this alone.

  ‘I bet we don’t find him …’ The speaker’s voice trailed off as the deck heaved, sending him running across the lounge to end up gripping a rail. His friends laughed, while maintaining a firm grip on anything nearby that was stable.

  ‘He’s probably already gone under.’

  Lian wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. They were just talking very loudly.

  ‘I heard someone say the bridge had been talking to him on the radio.’

  That wasn’t quite right. Jenny had told her they were tracking a radio distress beacon that must be on board the stricken yacht. Lian tried to imagine how the yachtsman must feel. Alone in those mountainous seas. How frightened he must be. Was he making his peace with whatever God he believed in? Was he still fighting for survival, or had he given up and resigned himself to joining Davy Jones down below?

  ‘Hello.’ A young male voice spoke close to her side. ‘Remember me?’

  ‘Us, you imbecile. She should remember us.’

  ‘Well, some of us, anyway.’

  Lian was once again surrounded by eager young faces and English accents.

  ‘Hi guys,’ she said. She didn’t want to be rude, but she wasn’t really in the mood for them.

  The ship rolled again, and the lads caught hold of each other, and her chair, to stop themselves being thrown across the room.

  ‘Isn’t this exciting,’ the tall one said happily. ‘Just think. We’re going to heroes.’

  ‘Not you mate,’ one of his companions gave him a not-so-gentle punch in the shoulder. ‘You’re just a witness.’

  ‘Hey, maybe we can get interviewed by the BBC,’ the first youth offered. ‘Mr Barstow, can you tell us exactly what happened?’ he intoned in a deep voice.

  ‘Why would anyone want to talk to you,’ his shorter friend said, ‘when they have a chance to talk to someone much nicer and far better looking?’ He focused his attention back on Lian

  Lian smiled. She couldn’t help herself. She was only a couple of years older than these boys, but she felt almost motherly towards them. Must be more hormones, she guessed.

  ‘Hello boys, isn’t this exciting!’ Vera’s arrival effectively released Lian from the obligation to respond. She dropped into a vacant chair and placed her handbag securely in her lap. She seemed remarkably unruffled by the wild seas and the ship’s movement. ‘Hopefully we’ll get a good view of the rescue from here.’

  ‘That would be cool!’

  Vera leaned over towards Lian, and patted her hand gently. ‘You know boys,’ she said in a sweet voice, ‘a lot of people are having trouble with the weather. Seasick you know. It’s all the heaving and tossing of the ship.’

  Lian saw one boy’s face turn a slightly more obvious shade of green.

  ‘Of course, I imagine it will take more than a few waves to have you strong young things with your heads down the toilet bowl,’ Vera continued innocently. ‘It’s a good thing the doctor has seasickness pills for those who need them.’

  ‘He has?’ The young male voice was decidedly shaky.

  ‘He certainly does. He’s handing them out to everyone. But of course you don’t need them, do you?’

  Lian chuckled quietly as the boys exc
hanged glances.

  ‘Well,’ the one called Barstow said. ‘I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have some, just in case one of the other lads felt poorly.’

  ‘Yes. That’s a good idea,’ agreed his green-tinged companion. ‘After all, we wouldn’t want them to miss the rescue … because they are …’ He broke off in mid-sentence and darted away. His friends followed, breaking into a semi-run as the ship rolled again.

  ‘Oh dear,’ said Vera. ‘Not very strong of stomach are they?’

  Lian grinned. ‘I guess not.’

  ‘What about you my dear, how are you coping with the weather?’

  ‘The weather is fine really,’ Lian said.

  ‘But …’

  Lian looked at Vera’s kind face, and felt that she just wanted to burst into tears. She gulped the feeling down. ‘It’s a little bit scary though,’ she said.

  ‘Don’t you worry,’ Vera said, her voice brimming with confidence. ‘William – that’s the doctor – tells me the ship has been through far worse than this. And the captain is very experienced. He hasn’t lost a ship yet!’

  Instead of giggling as Vera had no doubt intended, Lian suddenly felt tears running down her face. ‘Oh Vera, what on earth am I doing here? I’m frightened. Really frightened. Not for me. For my baby. What on earth possessed me to do this?’

  ‘You are taking your baby to meet his – or her – father. You’re going to give your young man the very best news in the world. You are doing the right thing.’

  ‘But it’s not supposed to be like this,’ Lian waved her arms to take in the room, and the groups of passengers who were clinging tight to every stable surface while watching the huge seas. ‘I always used to imagine what it would be like. Having a baby. Telling my husband. My parents. I used to dream about the things we would do to welcome a new member of the family. But … it’s …’ Her voice trailed off.

  ‘It’s not like you imagined? Goodness, dear. Having a baby never is. It’s the most unpredictable thing on the planet. Why, I realised I was pregnant with my first when I fainted in a graveyard.’