The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (006) The Morning After the Night Before

 

The next morning Ben was woken by a loud knocking on the driver’s door window.

He and Tanya were asleep under the blanket, and she was cuddled up close to him with her head on his shoulder.

On opening his eyes, in the half light, his eyes and brain were struggling to make sense of what they were seeing.

The problem is that the brain processes what you can see and then fills in the blanks with things from your memory bank.

I.e. when your eyes become more accustomed to the darkness a sleeping dog on the floor becomes a dressing gown discarded the night before, or a sleeping child on the chair becomes a sweater dropped haphazardly.

In this case he was looking at a six-foot chicken, but after a few blinks he realized it was a firefighter, so he opened the window.

“Morning” he said, “I think.”

“Hello, sir, is everything alright?” the firefighter asked.

“Yes, all good”

“No injuries? Damage? Mechanical problems?”

 “No, everything is fine.”

“And the horse?”

“Yes, he’s fine too” he said, “It’s just trees in the way.” 

“Well, we’ll have the road open again very soon” The firefighter reassured him.

“Do you know where the driver of the MG is?”

“Yes, she’s here” Ben replied.

“Really?” he retorted with admiration.

“We’ll let you know when it’s safe for you to leave.”

“Ok thanks” Ben said and closed the window.

However, the chilly morning air flooding the cab caused Tanya to stir, and when her eyes opened, she said.

“What time is it?”

“Just after 5” he replied and then she became aware that she was cuddled up to him and apologized.

“I’m sorry”

“Don’t be silly” he reassured her.

“The Fire Service are here by the way.”

“How long will they be?” she asked with a yawn.

“At least an hour” he replied, “So plenty of time for coffee.”

“I thought we’d finished the coffee” Tanya retorted.

“I have a kettle in the back?” he replied.

“You’re a wonderful man” she retorted grinning broadly.

 

By the time they had said hello to Trojan and made and drank their coffee and he had easily towed the MG off the verge they were told the road was reopened.

“Well, thank you for sharing your coffee and blanket.

and of course, for your company” she said and kissed his cheek.

“My pleasure” he said as she got into the Midget.

“Don’t forget you have an open invitation.”

“I won’t,” she said as she started the engine and after flashing him a smile Tanya said, “Bye Ben” and drove off, muttering under her breath over and over,

“Why did I kiss him on the cheek?”

 

Tanya went straight home to quickly shower and change so she could get back to Pipershaven in time to take out the 8am Ferry and Ben finally got to the Starlight Café where he made use of the facilities and got two sausage and egg baps to go before heading back to the port.

 

The Queen Eleanor wasn’t slated for the 8am sailing but due to the Empress Victoria having to sit out the storm in St Pierre Port Tanya needed to take the Eleanor out early and she was conscious of the fact that she was uncharacteristically late.

However, when Tanya got to the port office, she found that everything was in hand and loading was in progress.

 

At the Beaumont Manor Hotel the next morning began for Josh and Liv with a shared shower and some over enthusiastic mutual drying, which resulted in them having to skip breakfast and Joshua having to drive her to the port at speed where they shared a farewell kiss outside the Shaw Brothers Office before he went off in search of a full English.

 

Olivia watched Joshua drive away, feeling that she had made the right choice to forgo a hotel breakfast and she was grinning from ear to ear as she opened the door and walked in.

“Good morning, Lisa”

“I think it was a good night judging by the smile on your face” Lisa Stokes said.

“A great night” she agreed with a gleam in her eye.

“It was a success then?” Lisa asked.

“Very much so” Olivia replied, “I owe you one.”

“Well, it’s funny you should mention that” Lisa said with a wicked smile.

 

After exchanging pleasantries and doing twenty minutes of essential admin Tanya left the office and made her way to the Queen Eleanor, and when she was about halfway there her phone rang and she saw it was her sister Olivia, so she accepted the call.

“Something amazing happened” they both said simultaneously and burst out laughing.

 

After sharing all the details of their amazing happenings Tanya was left feeling a little jealous, not that she begrudged Olivia’s good fortune, but she only had a coffee and a peck on the cheek for breakfast whereas Olivia had the full English, twice last night and once again that morning.

Olivia though had the benefit of a hotel room Tanya was less fortunate and she wasn’t about to do it in a horsebox, she had more class than that, if it had been a camper van it might have been different.

 

After navigating her way past the breakwater and into open water she could relax, so she took in the scenery and enjoyed the warm spring sunshine.

Halfway across the bay she saw the Empress Victoria coming the other way, it was unusual for both Ferries to be out in the bay at the same time, so as they passed each other the two sisters waved to each other from the navigational bridge.

 

When they had passed by, she cast her eyes around the ship, and she caught sight of a burgundy-coloured Horsebox on the deck and her heart skipped a beat.

So, she left the first mate, David Leggett, at the helm and went down to the car deck to look for Ben, but she couldn’t see him anywhere.

Tanya was just about to give up and return to the bridge when she caught sight of him standing by the rail looking out to sea, so she made a beeline for him. 

“Good morning, Mr. Beaumont” she said, and he turned to look at her.

“Hello” he said and did a double take when he saw her white uniform shirt and epaulettes on the shoulders.

“When you said it was your ferry, I didn’t realize you were literally in charge.”

“I am the Captain.” she said proudly.

“Well having seen what you can do with an MG Midget I would just like to ask where I can find the lifejackets?” 

“That’s not fair, it wasn’t my driving, it was God throwing trees at me” she said indignantly, and they both laughed.

“You do realize that as Captain, I can have you clapped in irons and make you walk the plank.”

“In which case I will definitely need a life jacket” he retorted, and they both laughed again.

But their joviality was brought to an abrupt end by the blast of a claxon.

“Sorry I have to go and do important maritime stuff now” she said and kissed his cheek and climbed the companionway to the bridge.

“Why did I kiss his cheek again? I should have snogged his face off” She muttered.

“Next time he’s mine.”

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (005) Divine Intervention

 

At the same time Joshua Beaumont was leaving the Shaw Brothers office in St Pierre his twin brother Ben was driving the 3.5t Horsebox into the docks in Pipershaven, only to find the Ferry had been cancelled, and he wouldn’t be able get to the island until the next morning.

He was 34 years old and was the younger twin by 3 minutes, they weren’t identical twins, but they were alike enough for strangers to recognize the fact they were siblings.

After confirming that he was booked on the first ferry the next day he parked up on an access road while he figured out what to do next.

Firstly, he phoned his brother, but it went straight to voice mail, so he messaged him instead.

Had he been on his own he would simply have found a local Hotel or B&B for the night, but he wasn’t alone, he had Trojan with him, and he wasn’t going to find a B&B for him.

So, he decided on the Starlight Café halfway between the Expressway and Pepperstock Green.

To the south and east of the Pepperstock Hills National Park there was an extensive tract of magnificent mixed forestry which was rivalled only by the ancient woodland of the Dancingdean Forest, and that is where the village of Pepperstock Green was situated.

The Starlight was a popular greasy spoon with a sizable lorry park attached so it was popular with truckers going to or from the port.

 

The storm was raging as he drove towards the Expressway, and it showed no sign of abating and being in the horsebox he was getting buffeted by the wind, so he was relieved when he saw the sign for the exit slip.

Half a mile before the slip he was overtaken by one of his favourite cars, a 1978 MG Midget in British Racing Green, which immediately indicated and took the exit.

 

Ben was glad to be off the motorway and into the shelter of the forest, but the storm was ever present, and he heard a terrifying crash behind him and looking in his mirrors he saw a tree across the road, then about 2 miles along the road he suddenly saw Hazzard lights flashing ahead of him, so slowed down accordingly.

As the lights got brighter and he got closer Ben could see the MG he had admired was half on and half off the road with a fallen tree just ahead of it.

He pulled up behind the car and jumped out and rushed over to the driver’s door and opened it and found a very attractive young woman sitting behind the wheel.

“Are you ok?”

“I’m fine, just a bit shaken” she replied and picked up her coffee cup, shook it then discarded it with disgust.

“Come and sit in the van,” he suggested.

“Could you tow me back onto the road? then I can go back the way we came” she asked.

“Theres another tree down a couple of miles behind us I’m afraid” Ben said.

“Damn, oh well I’ll just sit here and wait until help arrives” she said.

“I’ve got coffee” he added.

“Ok you’ve got me” she said and got out of the car while Ben phoned 999 to report the fallen trees.

 

“I’m Ben by the way” he said as he handed her a coffee.

“Thank you, I’m Tanya.”

“Are you sure you’re ok, you look a little pale” he asked.

“I’m a redhead I’m always pale” she retorted, and they both laughed.

 

“Drink your coffee I just need to check on the horse.”

“You’ve got a horse on board?” she asked excitedly.

“Can I come too?”

“Sure, if you’re interested.”

“Oh, I’m interested,” she replied, “I’ve been riding since I was 4.”  

“Well, I doubt you’ve ridden anything like Trojan” he said as he opened the door.

“Hello Trojan, old fella” he said as he stepped inside

“Is that a Suffolk Punch?” She asked as she followed him in

“It is” he replied a little impressed “Trojan, meet Tanya, Tanya, meet Trojan.”

“Hello Trojan” Tanya said patting his neck.”

 

They were in the back of the horsebox for about fifteen minutes and while Ben sorted out Trojan’s feed and water, Tanya fussed the horse.

“You’re right by the way.” She spoke.

“About what?” he asked.

“I’ve never ridden a horse like him.” She replied as they closed the door and left Trojan in peace.

 

“So where are you taking him” she asked as she climbed back into the cab.

“Well, we were headed for Beaumont Island, but the ferry was cancelled” he said.

“Ah sorry about that” she replied sheepishly and finished her coffee.

“Why are you sorry?”

“I’m Tanya Shaw, it’s my Ferry.”

“That’s ok, I’m Ben Beaumont so it’s my island” he retorted, and they both laughed again.

 

After getting a lift home, Joshua showered, shaved, and redressed in record time and got to The Beaumont Manor Hotel with ten minutes to spare and after parking the car he walked into reception just in time to see Olivia Shaw walking down the stairs in a borrowed powder blue cocktail dress, black tights, and matching shoes with her shoulder length brunette hair dancing on her shoulders.  

He was speechless and even gulped at the beautiful vision in front of him.

Then Olivia stopped on the bottom step and inclined her head in anticipation.

“Wow!” was all he could manage.

“That is an acceptable response” she said and smiled.

“Shall we?” she added offering her arm.

 

Ben poured Tanya another coffee and noticed her shiver, so he reached behind the middle seat and fished out a blanket which he handed to her.

“It’s only a horse blanket I’m afraid, but it’s warm.”

“Thank you, I was starting to get chilly” she said gratefully.

“Do you have one for yourself?”

“No, but I’ll be fine?”

“Nonsense” she retorted “We can share.”

Tanya scooted onto the middle seat and spread the blanket over them both.

Then when they were comfortable, she said.

“So, if you were returning to the island, where have you come from?”

“The Veterinary Hospital in Purplemere, Trojan needed an operation, he’s all sorted now though.”

“Is he a working horse?”

“Well, he’s trained in harness, and pulls the dray on special occasions, fete’s and such and the Christmas parade, but his primary purpose is as a stud animal” he explained “As part of a rare breeds program.”

“Lucky boy” she said and smiled.

He went on to explain that Woodside was primarily an arable farm, potatoes mainly but also other root vegetables, but half the business was breeding horses and ponies, rare breeds in particular, heavy horse’s, Cumberland fell ponies and other breeds in danger of extinction.

They also had a Clydesdale Stallion and a Cleveland Mare in foal, hopefully carrying a colt.

“What about riding?” she asked.

“In what way?”

“Do you ever ride?” she clarified.

“Oh yes, not every day, but often”

he replied, “What about you?”

“Not as much as I’d like” she replied.

“Well, maybe we could go riding the next time you’re on the island” he suggested.

“Yes, that would be nice” she agreed.

“Give me your phone then.” He said and she unlocked it so he could enter his number.

“Now you can text me when you’re free.”

 

Once they were seated at a table and the waiter had taken their order Joshua said

“So, you’re the boss lady.”

“I am” she responded smugly.

“Well, joint boss lady would be more accurate.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, since my parents retired my sister Tanya, and I are joint owners.”

She explained,

“So, you could be spending your working week in a plush office rather than on the “high seas”“.

“Where’s the fun in that” she retorted with a chuckle.

Then after a few moments thought she added.

“And I wouldn’t exactly describe Pepperstock Bay as the “high seas”“. 

In response they both dissolved into laughter.

 

The evening went by very quickly with exceptionally food, a lot more laughter and a glass or two of wine but neither of them mentioned the elephant in the room, the New Years Eve kiss.

Nor did it raise its head during coffee or the accompanying liqueurs or even the nightcap in the bar, although the memory of that magical kiss was never more than a moment from their thoughts.

It was gone midnight when he checked his watch and said, “Sadly I think the time has come for us to say goodnight.”

“It can’t be” she snorted and then checked her watch “Damn it, how did it get that late?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun” he said.

“Well then I think you had better escort me to my cabin” she said and giggled as she got to her feet, only slightly unsteadily.

“My pleasure Admiral” he said offering his arm.

“Oh, I’ve been promoted,” she said putting her arm through his “I started the evening as a salty seadog.”

 

As it had done all evening, laughter accompanied them all the way as they climbed the stairs to the first floor and along the corridor but when they reached the door to her room, they went silent.

Olivia was smiling as she turned to face him and kissed him gently on the lips, a warm sensitive and tender kiss, and when their lips parted, she smiled at him coyly and flushed a deep shade of pink.

“I’ve wanted to do that all evening” she said, and Joshua kissed her forehead before cupping her flushed cheek in his palm, then he slid his fingers beneath her soft brown hair and caressed the soft downy hair on her nape as he pulled her sweet lips to his and returned her kiss.

Olivia’s arms enveloped him, holding him so close, and so tightly, not wanting to let go, not wanting to lose what they had found and not wanting to lose him again, there were no fireworks this time, but the sparks were in abundance.

They stood locked in their embrace until Olivia pulled away for a moment before burying her face in his neck and sighing softly.

After a minute or so of enjoying the closeness Joshua said

“Wow, that, was very nice.”

“Very wow” she concurred.

“But you know that after we did this the last time my whole world fell apart” he said sadly.

“I’m not going to let that happen again” she said after emerging from his neck and took hold of his hand.

“I let you slip through my fingers once, never again.”

Then she unlocked the door and led him inside.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (004) Stranded

 April

On the eastern extreme of the Pepperstock Hills National Park, at the end of the Finchbottom Expressway, is the deepwater seaport of Pipershaven, on the edge of Pepperstock Bay.

It was first established as a garrison town by the Romans during the reign of Vespasian in 70 A.D. as Piperis Stirpe Praesidio.

In the 21st century none of its Roman origins are any longer in evidence as the town had expanded far beyond the ancient confines and the busy docks would have been the envy of the Roman world.

However apart from being a remarkably busy commercial port with a substantial dockside, it was also home to the cross-channel ferry port, the RNLI Lifeboat Station, a substantial fishing fleet and small ferry service covering the two miles to the bay islands, Beaumont, and St Giles, running a daily schedule, weather permitting.

The Shaw Brothers Ferry Company operates the service between Pipershaven and the islands, which was ironic in a way, as the business was jointly owned by sisters Olivia and Tanya.

They owned the two ferries, the Empress Victoria, and the Queen Eleanor, Olivia skippered the Victoria and Tanya the Eleanor.

Both vessels sailed twice daily services, stopping at both islands.

The service runs six days a week, with a reduced service on Sunday’s and Bank Holidays with no service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and Easter Sunday.

Not that Olivia and Tanya were at the helm for every trip as they employed two other captains and worked three days on, three off rotas.

The first sailing of the day left the mainland at 8 am and then at three-hour intervals following until 5 pm, and on a grey damp Wednesday morning it was 36-year-old Olivia Shaw in command of the Empress Victoria as it left Pipershaven harbour heading out to sea.

 

Although Cabot Town, on St Giles du Cabot, was only two miles from Pipershaven, the round trip via St Pierre and Beaumont Head was nearer twenty-two miles.

The sea was rougher than Liv expected, and the head wind freshened, so they were twenty minutes late arriving at St Giles.

The rest of the journey was without hinderance and on the run back to port, after rounding Beaumont Head meant that she had made up all bar five minutes of the time she had lost earlier.

However, by two o’clock in the afternoon when the Empress Victoria left port for the second time that day the weather had deteriorated further and by the time they were negotiating the entrance to St Pierre Harbour, on the east coast of Beaumont Island, the leading edge of a storm that wasn’t due to hit the area until later that evening had already arrived.

 

Beaumont Island is the largest of the two Bay Islands, 11 miles long and 8 miles wide, with a population of around 3000, and was first settled by the Romans who called it Saxa Viridia, the green Rock, and built a fort on the hill above the harbour with a commanding view across the open water and any approaching vessels that might threaten the garrison on the mainland.

It was not a popular posting for most of the soldiers because of the remoteness and the quiet, the remainder liked it for the same reasons.

 

Following the formal end of the Roman occupation of Britain at the beginning of the 5th Century AD, the islands were largely unoccupied until the arrival of the Norman’s after their victory over King Harold at Hastings, when a close friend of William of Normandy, a minor nobleman, Gilbert du Beaumont, claimed the islands for himself, and took up residence on the larger Island which he promptly named after himself. 

The other island he named St Giles du Cabot in honour of his cousin and childhood friend who died of his wounds after the battle.

 

When Gilbert and his entourage first set foot on the island only the wooden piles remained from the old Roman Quayside, so the first task was to build a new one of stone along with breakwaters, sea walls and tetrapods, until the port of St Pierre-Eglise was born, so named as it was the birthplace of his wife Eleanor.

Work began in earnest on the town once the port was fully functional, including a Manor House and a Norman Church, unfortunately neither Gilbert nor his wife lived long enough to see St Pierre completed, but they were both buried on the island.

The burden of completing the work his parents had begun fell to their second son William, as his elder brother Robert had gone to fight in the first crusade and never returned.

Robert was not the first Beaumont son to fall in battle and he wouldn’t be the last, but the family stewardship protected the  land for over 900 years before war finally ended the family’s tenure when three successive heirs were killed in action during the Great War and the accumulated death duties forced George, the only surviving Beamont, to sell off the estate in 1920, auctioning off the buildings, the port and parcels of land.

Fortunately, the sale managed to raise enough to pay off the taxman, while being able to keep Woodside Farm for himself and retain a Beaumont family presence on the island.

 

More than one hundred years later the farm is run by the last remaining members of the family, George’s grandsons, fraternal twins, Joshua, and Ben.

On a stormy April Wednesday Joshua had driven up to St Pierre with his brother Ben in the horsebox to catch the early ferry, Ben was booked on the Empress Victoria as he was travelling to the mainland to pick up their horse Trojan from the Williamson White Veterinary Hospital in Purplemere, following an operation, then he would return on the last ferry of the day.

Joshua meanwhile had a meeting with their accountants and was staying in town all day and would meet up with Ben again off the last ferry of the day.

 

After overseeing the unloading of the passengers and vehicles Liv went to the Shaw Brothers Ferry Company office on the quayside, to check about the return journey and unfortunately was told that Harbour Master Paul Holland, had closed the port so no vessels could sail until after the storm had passed, which was likely to be first thing the following day.

It wasn’t the first time she had to take refuge from a storm, in fact it was a frequent occurrence considering the British weather but normally they found themselves stranded in her home port.

 

Liv returned to the ship to inform the crew and move the ship to its moorings and secure it for the night while employee Lisa Stokes made the arrangements for the crew accommodations and meal allowances for the night.

 

Joshua Beaumont had a very productive meeting at Walton and Thompsett Accountants including a very decent lunch.

He then had a couple of hours to kill before heading to the ferry terminal, so he did a little shopping and had a couple of overpriced coffees.

Finally, the time came for him to go and meet the ferry so due to the inclement weather he got in a taxi.

 

“I’m sorry Mr Beaumont but there will be no more sailings today” Lisa Stokes said just as Olivia Shaw returned to the office.

“Don't worry Lisa” he replied, “I know it's not your fault, thanks anyway.”

“Is that Joshua Beaumont?” she asked, and he turned towards the source of the voice, to see a soaking wet figure in a yellow waterproof coat and hat dripping all over the carpet.

“Yes, that's me” he replied, though not sure who he was replying to,

“Do I know you?” he added, and she turned her back on him and took off her coat and shook it before hanging it on a peg, then repeated the process with her hat.

“Do you recognise me now?” She asked as she turned around to face him.

“Olivia Shaw!” He exclaimed “As I live and breathe.”

“It’s good to see you” she said after they embraced.

“I haven’t seen you since David’s wedding.”

David was Olivia’s younger brother who was at university with Joshua and Ben, and they had remained friends, he was now out in Boston working for a law firm, he didn't want anything to do with the family’s maritime business, he always knew he would follow a different path.

“I know it’s been a while hasn’t it” he confessed then asked.

“What are you doing here, do you work for the company now?”

“She’s the boss” Lisa pointed out.

“Really?” he retorted.

“Yes, for two years now” Liv replied.

“So, what got you out of your cozy office on a day like this?” Joshua asked and Lisa laughed.

“Well, you could say I brought my office with me” Olivia replied, and Lisa laughed again, and in response to the puzzled expression on Joshua’s face she added proudly.

“For the last 12 months I’ve been skipper of the Empress Victoria”.

“Wow a real salty seadog” he retorted and chuckled.

“I like that” she said and laughed before adding.

“So, what about you? I assume you’re not just here to harass my wonderful employee”.

“Heaven forfends” he retorted “No I’m supposed to be meeting my brother off the last ferry.”

“Well, I’m sure Ben will be safe in Pipershaven until the morning” Liv said.

“I’m more worried about the Horse” Joshua retorted, and she raised an eyebrow.

“What horse?” she began then raised a hand and added.

“No don’t tell me, …. tell me later over dinner.”

“Great idea” he said, “Where did you have in mind?”

“I’m staying at The Beaumont Manor tonight, so how about there?” she suggested.

“Ok sounds good to me, what time?”

“8 o’clock”

“It’s a date” he said then blushed.

“Well, you know what I mean, see you later” he added and quickly went out the door.

“That blush was very telling” Lisa said as Olivia watched Joshua hurry away into the dark.

“Yes, wasn’t it” she agreed “I think I need to ask you a favour.”

 

Joshua was elated when he first left the Shaw Brothers office with a dinner date because there was unfinished business between them following a midnight kiss on New Years Eve ten years earlier, when they stood locked in their first passionate embrace, their first ever kiss, as fireworks lit up the night sky.

A kiss which hinted at being the beginning of something, but because of a series of unconnected events it never happened.

Firstly, Olivia broke her leg skiing in Vermont and before she returned to Downshire his father had a heart attack and died which knocked him for six, then he lost his mum when in her despair she took her own life, which kicked him while he was down, so by the time he got he finally got his head straight, Olivia was seeing someone else.

Joshua always thought of her as the one that got away, maybe now he had a second chance.    

However, his earlier elation evaporated when it dawned on him that he was stranded in St Pierre without a car, and because of the weather was unable to get a cab.

Fortunately, after a couple of phone calls he managed to persuade a mate to drive him back to Woodside farm.

 

Because of the possibility of getting stranded on the islands, even though it wasn’t a regular occurrence, Olivia always had an overnight bag aboard, but the bag only contained a clean uniform shirt, underwear, socks, casual shoes, and toiletries.

What it didn’t contain was girl clothes suitable to impress a man, which is why she needed to ask Lisa Stokes for a favour. 

 

 

 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (003) Leaving High Pines

 

February

The setting for the Arnold residence was breath taking and was remote and peaceful as promised.

However, the 10-bedroom house, called unimaginatively, Lakeside, looked unspectacular from the outside.

The interior on the other hand was the complete opposite and was the epitome of luxury, works of art adorned every wall, there were wood panelled walls, leather upholstery, silk wall coverings, velvet curtains, Bronzes, Chinese vases, porcelain, carved ivory, and English silver.

It may not have been “on trend” but the whole place oozed class.

However, despite its classic décor, it was appointed with all the mod cons, electronic surveillance, satellite communication, and their own generator in case the power was interrupted.

 

The day after moving to the house, Nurse, Vicki Pullen, joined the other four live in staff.

Elisa Ghelardoni, cook, housekeeper Rebecca Clarke and gardener handyman husband Ross, and last but by no means least George Wood and he referred to himself as the chauffeur gofer.

 

Once they had arrived at the house, much as he did at High Pines, Danny relied heavily on Molly, who apart from transcribing his recordings, also did his fact checking and helped with research.

He spent most of his time in the library, but Molly also had to help Sir Avery with his correspondence, but they made steady progress on the book.

 

Apart from writing he still had his daily chess games with Avery, either in his study or his room, and every day he looked paler than the day before.

The only time they left the house was for either exercise or to go to church and both things were weather dependent, and the weather in February was appalling, with snowstorm after snowstorm.

So, when the weather finally broke, they were all looking forward to going out to church, and on the evening before, in the middle of their chess game, Danny asked.

“Are you going to Church tomorrow?”

“No, no, God and I are not on speaking terms” he replied.

“We haven’t spoken since my daughter Charlotte and her husband John were killed.”

“Is that why Molly lives with you?”

“Yes, she was only a toddler at the time of the accident, not even 3” Avery said.

“What happened?” Danny asked.

“They were hit head on by a drunk driver.” he replied sadly.

“Thank God Molly wasn’t with them.”

“Thank God?”

“Well, yes, he got that part right at least” Avery agreed wryly.

“Is that why you raised Molly in the church?” Danny asked.

“No, it wasn’t that” he replied with a smile “It was because Charlotte would never have forgiven me if I had denied Molly a Christian upbringing.”

 

He thought about that conversation many times over the coming weeks, because although he said he wasn’t talking to God, he still kept a bible by his bed.

March

As February gave way to a less bitter and wintry March there were regular visits to the house by Sir Avery’s Lawyers and the occasional appearance of his Doctor.

By the time they headed into a more benign April Avery was confined to bed and the amount of time spent on their chess game got less and less.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (002) Meeting the Great Man

 

When the orderly pushed him into the room Danny got his first look at the famous industrialist and financier and he was shocked to see how pale and frail he looked.

It had been a few years since he was seen in public, and he was a shadow of the man he had expected to see.

It would have been simpler to list the ailments he didn’t suffer from than those that he had, but the thing that brought him to hospital on that occasion was a mild heart attack, and not his first.

“Ah Mr. Nightingale thank you for coming” said Sir Avery in a stronger voice than his physical appearance suggested and offering his hand.

“My pleasure Sir, and please call me Danny” he responded shaking his hand, which was equally strong.

“In which case Danny, I insist you drop the Sir and call me Avery.”

“Deal”

“Good, now how are you doing my boy, are you on the mend?” he asked.

“Well, I think I’ve turned a corner” Danny replied, “And how about you?”

“Well for me the corner is unattainable” Avery said, “In truth, I am paying the price for a life well lived, but if I do what I’m told by the Doctors and my Granddaughter, I should be around long enough to get my affairs in order.”

“I’m sorry to hear that” Danny said then after a momentary silence he added.

“I was flattered, and more than a little curious to get your…. Invitation, I would never have pegged you as a Crime fiction kind of man.”

Sir Avery responded by way of a throaty chuckle.

“Quite right, quite right, it’s my Granddaughter Molly who’s the fan, she’s a little shy so she would never have spoken to you directly.”

“Oh, I see,” he said while looking around.

“She’s running an errand” he said in answer to the unasked question, “She’ll be back within the hour, we’ll just have to pass the time in conversation until she arrives.”

“Or we could play chess” Danny suggested as he spotted a fully populated chessboard on the tray table beside the bed.

“You play?”

“I do” he replied.

“Do you like to win?” Avery asked earnestly.

“Of course,”

“Good, Molly lets me win sometimes because she feels sorry for me” he said and laughed.

 

They spent a very pleasant hour and a half playing and talking, although when he thought about it later it was more like he was fielding questions in a very low-key interrogation.

“So where are you from, originally?” Avery asked.

“A village called Applesford in Downshire” Danny replied and took his bishop.

“Really? I am a Downshire boy myself, Spaniards Creek on Beaumont Island” he responded proudly.

“It’s true what they say then, it really is a small world” Danny said and took Avery’s rook, “Checkmate.”

“Well played my boy” he said and chuckled just as the door opened and a tall redheaded girl walked in, with her eyes fixed firmly on the floor.

“Ah Molly, come and say hello to Danny, he’s from Downshire” he said.

“Applesford,” Molly said quietly, and they both looked at her with raised eyebrows.

“I googled.” Said Molly.

“Come and sit down and say hello” Avery gestured to her.

“Danny Nightingale, this is my Granddaughter Molly.”

“It’s lovely to meet you” Danny said, “I understand you like my books.”

“Yes, very much” she quietly replied.

“I will happily sign a copy of my latest as soon as I can hold a pen” he said, and she smiled which seemed to put her at her ease and relax her because then she asked in a much more confident voice.

“Have you started the next book yet?”

“Kind of, I have an outline, but that’s as far as I’ve got and I won’t get any further if I don’t find what’s left of my car, and more importantly what was in it, suitcase, laptop, notes and everything else besides” he said.

 

They continued chatting for almost another hour when he noticed that Sir Avery was starting to look tired, so he said.

“Well, I really think I’ve taken up more than enough of your time, could you ring for an orderly and I’ll leave you in peace.”

“I can push you back” Molly offered boldly.

“If that’s ok” he said, “I would greatly appreciate it.”

“That’s a good idea Molly” Avery said, “Now you will come again, won’t you? tomorrow if you’re up to it.”

“I’d like that” he said.

 

Danny’s room was only a short walk of twenty yards away and when they were halfway, Molly said.

“I can help if you like.”

“With what?”

“Finding your car,” she replied, “and your laptop and things.”

“You don’t have to do that” Danny said.

“I don’t mind” Molly replied as she pushed him into his room “I have plenty of time on my hands.”

“Well, if you’re sure” Danny said.

“That would be very helpful.”

He got up out of the chair and rummaged in the bedside locker and fished out an envelope, which contained the hire car details, a business card from one of the officers who attended the scene and a copy of his driver’s license.

“That’s all I have I’m afraid” he said.

“I think that should be more than enough.” Molly said.

“Thanks Molly”

 

The next day Danny played chess with Sir Avery again and stayed with him for about three hours until he became weary, he enjoyed the game, but there was not a sign of Molly, and he found he was disappointed by that.

But at 7 o’clock that evening just as he was finishing his Jell-O, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in” he called.

The door opened and Molly walked in pushing his suitcase in front of her and she was followed in turn by a uniformed chauffeur carrying an assortment of bags.

“You got everything” he said with amazement.

“Well George did” she admitted.

“She did everything else though” George Wood pointed out.

“Well thank you both very much” he said and grinned as he tried to open the laptop bag.

“I’ll wait in the lounge Molly” George said, “Good night, Sir.”

“Good night, George, and thank you again and call me Danny.”

Molly watched Danny struggle with the laptop bag for a full minute before she intervened and took the bag from him and took out the laptop.

“Bloody hell, if I can’t get it out the bag, how the hell am I going to use the damn thing?” he said angrily. “And I can’t even write notes because of this.”

“How long do you have to keep it on?” Molly asked.

“Another 5 weeks” he replied. “I’ll go insane by then, I have so much rattling around in my head and I can’t get it out.”

Molly didn’t respond, she just opened the laptop then turned it towards Danny’s face to unlock it.

Once she was in, she opened Word and clicked on “Dictate” then turned it back towards him.

“Now all you have to do is talk.”

“I don’t often use the “Dictate” function” he admitted.

“I don’t annunciate properly when I’m in full flow.” 

“It will type most of what you say, even if it doesn’t get everything right, I can help you edit it tomorrow” she said, “Just concentrate on emptying your head for tonight.”

“Good idea, thanks Molly”

 

The next morning Molly knocked on the door again.

“Good morning, how did you get on?”

“Morning Molly, not bad I got a lot out of my head but it’s a bit gobbledygookish.”

Danny said.

“Is that even a word?” she asked.

“It is now”

“Well, you might find this of more use, I brought it from home” she said.

“A Dictaphone! that’s perfect.” Danny said, “I can type it up when I have use of my arm again.”

“Or I could type them up” Molly suggested “It’ll probably be quicker.”

“Your grandfather said you were shy.” Danny said.

“I’m not so sure.”

“I’m only shy with strangers and people I don’t like” she retorted and blushed.

 

Over the next two weeks he split his time equally between dictation, chess with Avery and editing with Molly, and his arm improved every day, and medically there was no real reason for him to be at High Pines, and publisher Max Parsons agreed because it wasn’t cheap and his insurance was only covering a proportion of the bill, but after Danny sent him the first 100 draft pages he said.

“You can have another week, then we’ll talk again.”

 

However, halfway through that week while playing chess with Avery he suddenly said.

“I’m discharging myself.”

“What about your treatment?” Danny asked.

“I am as well as I’m ever going to get” he said stoically.

“So, I’m going home to die in my own bed.”

“What did Doctor Cole have to say about that?”

“He had a blue fit” Avery replied and chuckled throatily.

“But once he knew I wasn’t about to change my mind we settled on a compromise,”

“Which is?” Danny asked.

“A live in nurse” he replied.

“Very sensible”

“What about you, my boy? Will you return home to Downshire?”

“I don’t think I will just yet, I’m making such great progress with the book, so I don’t want to break my stride and lose my momentum.”

“Where will you go?”

“I’ll get my publisher to splash out on a posh Hotel” Danny said and laughed.

“Nonsense, you don’t want to stay at an impersonal hotel, you must come and stay at the house” Avery insisted.

“I couldn’t possibly impose,” said Danny.

“You won’t be imposing my boy, it’s a big house, by the lake, and very peaceful, especially this time of the year.” He said persuasively.

“And Molly would be disappointed if you don’t come.”

“If not for Molly I would still be trying to extract my laptop from the bag” he said and laughed.

“So, I would be delighted to accept your invitation.”

“Excellent, excellent” he exclaimed and shook his hand.

“Have you told Molly yet?” Danny asked.

“No, I haven’t, I was waiting until I could use the news of your presence at the house to soften the blow” he replied and chuckled again, and Danny knew he’d been played.

 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (001) Origins

January

Beaumont Island is the largest of the two Bay Islands, 11 miles long and 8 miles wide, with a population of around 3000, and was first settled by the Romans, who called it Saxa Viridia, the green Rock, and built a fort on the hill above the harbour with a commanding view across the open water and any approaching vessels that might threaten the garrison on the mainland.

It was not a popular posting for most of the soldiers because of the remoteness and the quiet, the remainder liked it for the same reasons.

 

Following the formal end of the Roman occupation of Britain at the beginning of the 5th Century AD, the islands were largely unoccupied until the arrival of the Norman’s after their victory over King Harold at Hastings, when a close friend of William of Normandy, a minor nobleman, Gilbert du Beaumont, claimed the islands for himself, and took up residence on the larger Island which he promptly named after himself. 

The other island he named St Giles du Cabot in honour of his cousin and childhood friend who died of his wounds after the battle.

 

When Gilbert and his entourage first set foot on the island only the wooden piles remained from the old Roman Quayside, so the first task was to build a new one of stone along with breakwaters, sea walls and tetrapods, until the port of St Pierre-Eglise was born, so named as it was the birthplace of his wife Eleanor.

Work began in earnest on the town once the port was fully functional, including a Manor House and a Norman Church, unfortunately neither Gilbert nor his wife lived long enough to see St Pierre completed, but they were both buried on the island.

The burden of completing the work his parents had begun fell to their second son William, as his elder brother Robert had gone to fight in the first crusade and never returned.

Robert was not the first Beaumont son to fall in battle and he wouldn’t be the last, but the family stewardship protected the  land for over 900 years before war finally ended the family’s tenure when three successive heirs were killed in action during the Great War and the accumulated death duties forced George, the only surviving Beamont, to sell off the estate in 1920, auctioning off the buildings, the port and parcels of land.

Fortunately, the sale managed to raise enough to pay off the taxman, while being able to keep Woodside Farm for himself and retain a Beaumont family presence on the island.

 

However, this story begins 4,700 miles away from the island where bestselling crime fiction writer, Danny Nightingale, creator of the Fraser Markham series, was in the USA on a book signing tour, while simultaneously researching for a new book series he had been promising his publisher, Max Parsons, for some time, with a new protagonist Sharon Jacques.

At the age of twenty-eight, to have had not one, but three bestsellers was some kind of achievement.

He had been in the states for three months when he completed his tour and already had a clear outline sketched out for his new book, so he was feeling good and looking forward to returning to Downshire.

However, in January while he was travelling through Colorado, Danny got caught in a snowstorm and crashed his car into a snowbank.

He wasn’t badly hurt, but he did have a wrist fracture, a couple of broken ribs, a mild concussion and assorted cuts, bruises, and abrasions.

His hire car didn’t fare quite so well and was a write off, so the car got towed and he ended up in the ER.

While he was there, he called his publisher who arranged to have him transferred, after his wrist was set, via a private ambulance to a more exclusive hospital close to Colorado Springs called High Pines, where he met Sir Avery Arnold and his granddaughter Molly Barrington, a meeting which, although he didn’t know it at the time, was to change his life forever.

 

He had been in the hospital for three days before Danny arrived, but it was twenty-four hours later when he was summoned for an audience.

It was Molly who first spotted him as she was walking along the corridor past his room, no one else seemed to realize who he was, so she began to doubt herself, so she walked slowly past the door another five times until, she was sure.

Molly was a huge fan of his books, but was far too shy to approach him herself, which was why Sir Avery summoned him instead.

However, it wasn’t until his fourth day at High Pines that he felt up to accepting the invitation from the great man.

SNOW GIRL

 

When the snow girl dumped

Her guy for someone older

She froze him out of her life

And gave him the cold shoulder