was the most exhilarating experience, and one Kathy would never forget. Having never set foot on a boat before in her life, it was all new and exciting; a little scary at first, but then she got into the mood and enjoyed every minute.
Gathered at the stern of the boat, Fred at the helm, the three men discussed the technical attributes of the craft, while Kathy lay on the foredeck, the warmth of the sun on her face, the cool breeze in her hair, and her ears assailed by the comforting sound of rushing water as the boat sliced a way through.
It wasn’t long before she began to understand why people loved the sea so much. There was something magical about it.
When the trial run was over, they made their way back to harbour. Kathy rejoined the three men at the stern. ‘Well, what d’you think?’ Fred addressed himself to Tom. ‘Is she a beauty or what?’
Tom couldn’t deny it. ‘What’s your best price?’
‘You know my price. I expect Jasper here has already told you.’
Behind Fred’s back, Jasper gave Tom a wink, warning him to be cautious.
Tom nodded. ‘Yes, he told me, but I’m sure you could think again if you had to?’
‘Mmm.’ He scratched his chin and looked at Jasper. Then he looked at Kathy; when she smiled, his eyes visibly brightened. ‘All right then!’ He held out a hand for Tom to agree a deal. ‘I’ll knock off a hundred pounds, but that’s my best offer.’
Grabbing him by the hand, Tom closed the deal. ‘Done!’ In a minute, out came the bottle of whisky and glasses, which Fred had ready under the seat. ‘Let’s drink to it!’
‘Yer old bugger!’ Jasper laughed out loud. ‘Yer meant to do a deal today, even if yer had to come down a bob or two.’
Fred chuckled. ‘I got the price I wanted,’ he confided. ‘You always up your price so it can be knocked down – I thought you knew that?’
Tom couldn’t help but laugh. ‘I’ve learned something new about you boat-owners,’ he said. ‘I can see I shall have to be on my guard in future.’
Arrangements were made to bring the cruiser into West Bay, where Tom and Jasper would be waiting. ‘It’ll take me close on a fortnight to root out the right documents, and prepare everything for the solicitor. Then he needs to go through it all, and draw up the agreement. Don’t worry, though: by the time I hand her over she’ll be ship-shape and serviced.’
Tom nodded his approval.
With the deal concluded, the trio headed for the pub; an old place with character, it sat right alongside the railway lines. ‘By! I’ve had many a jolly time in ’ere,’ Jasper imparted roguishly. ‘I met a lovely lass by the name of Janice in this place.’ He scowled. ‘Trouble was, it turned out she were wed, with four kids and a bad-tempered old man.’
For a while he enthralled them with tales of his escapades, and the laughter rang through the room. Because he wasn’t too busy at that time of day, the landlord agreed to serve them ham and chips, even though the cook had already left for the day. ‘But don’t expect nothing fancy.’ Though when he arrived with the meals half an hour later, they were a credit to him.
Jasper ordered the drinks. ‘Three pints o’ yer best,’ he told the landlord, and that included one for Kathy.
‘You’re never going to drink that, are you?’ Tom laughed when Kathy picked up the huge mug in her tiny fists.
‘I certainly am!’ she replied. ‘I’ve already done one thing today that I’ve never done before … going on that boat. Well, now I’m doing another,’ and she took such a gulp of the beer that it sent her into a choking fit.
‘Take it easy!’ Laughing, Tom patted her on the back. ‘We don’t want you drowning yourself, at least not before you’ve had a chance to do all those other things you’ve never done before.’
Appreciating his concern, Kathy finished the pint and got a round of applause. ‘Happen I should order yer another?’ Jasper teased.
With the room already going round in her head, Kathy wisely settled for a dandelion and burdock.
Before they knew it, the time had rolled round to six o’clock. ‘By! That’s the best day out I’ve had in years,’ the old man said. ‘I can’t recall when I laughed so much.’
Tom thought the same. ‘What say we take a walk along the front?’ The truth was, he didn’t want the day to end.
Kathy jumped at the idea. ‘I could use a bit of fresh air.’ Like Tom, she didn’t want the day to end either. ‘My head feels like it’s been run over by a herd of elephants.’
‘Serves yer right for trying to be one o’ the men,’ Jasper laughed. ‘Women ’ave no right drinking beer. It don’t suit ’em.’
Kathy laughed. ‘You’re right there!’
Thrilled that he would be keeping Kathy’s company for some time yet, Tom went to pay the bill. Meanwhile, the old man went off in the direction of the Gents, while Kathy went in search of the Ladies. ‘I’m just going to powder my nose,’ she told Tom.
A few minutes later they were heading for the beach. The sands were still crowded with holiday-makers, but the promenade was not too busy. ‘By ’eck, this is grand!’ Jasper strolled along, hands in trouser pockets and a look of contentment about him.
‘There’s three things in this world worth fighting for,’ he said. ‘Taking a boat out on the open seas; a stroll along the promenade in the heat of the day –’ he gave one of his naughty winks – ‘and a woman in your arms. That’ll do for me.’
After a while, they stopped at the ice-cream parlour. Taking their tubs of ice-cream to a bench, they sat and watched the children at play. ‘Oh, but there’s nowt like it!’ With melted ice-cream all over his whiskers, Jasper winked at the ladies and felt like a king.
Alongside him, Kathy and Tom chatted quietly about West Bay and their new way of life. Kathy told him about Maggie and how she was coming to visit soon. ‘I’ll have to keep her on a short rein though.’ She smiled at the thought. ‘The truth is, you never can tell what she’ll do next.’
Tom explained how he had come to love his life here, though there were certain things he must do before he could really settle down. He delighted her by confessing how much he had enjoyed the day and being with her, and asked a question that put a smile on her face. ‘Maybe we could do it again?’ he wondered aloud.
‘Why not?’ she said, happily.
Sitting there together, with the sun on their faces and the sound of holiday-makers having fun, they talked about many things, but neither Kathy nor Tom revealed the reasons they had come to West Bay. And while they sat beside each other, looking at the sea and sky and the children playing, they thought how wonderful it all was.
Suddenly, Tom slid his hand over Kathy’s and held it ever so gently. Taken by surprise, Kathy looked up to find Tom looking down on her, his quiet eyes smiling into hers. Neither of them spoke, but that moment was cherished in both their hearts.
The old man had seen it too, and couldn’t help but smile to himself. Today, he hoped, had seen the beginnings of love, and his old heart was full.
All too soon, they were on board the bus, heading home. As before, Kathy sat next to Tom and, intermittently nodding off, the old man sat behind. A silence fell between Kathy and Tom, and for the first time she felt rather awkward with him, uncomfortably aware of his powerful frame next to hers. The quietness between them was overwhelming. She wanted to ask Tom many questions, and yet she sensed he wasn’t ready for that kind of intimacy. He seemed distant, as though there were things preying on his mind, private things that needed all his attention. Kathy understood that, for she also had things on her mind, which only she could deal with.
When they got off the bus