The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (009) A Providential Hand at Work

 Over the first week or so in May there was a circus of Lawyers coming and going from Lakeside as they executed Sir Avery Arnold’s final instructions set about to draught the legal mechanisms and financial instruments essential in creating the trust fund and a codicil to his last will and testament detailing the final disposition of his, not insubstantial, assets.

 

Not wishing to be constantly reminded of the inevitable, Molly decided to knuckle down and concentrate on helping Danny with the book, largely in silence, so as to avoid and further discussion of the impending death of her beloved Grandfather.

 

However, before another week was out it became clear that the end was close.

“Thank you, my boy, it was a providential hand that brought you into our lives” Avery said as his bony fingers gripped his hand.

“It was clearly God at work.”

“I can’t argue with that,” Avery said, “It was certainly a blessing.”

Then he turned his attention to his Granddaughter who was on the other side of the bed holding his hand

“I’m sorry Molly.”

“What for?”

“For smothering you.”

“You wrapped me up in love” Molly said and kissed his hand, then he closed his eyes and didn’t speak again.

 

In the early hours of the morning of May 16th, with Molly and Danny still at his bedside, Sir Avery Arnold passed away quietly in his sleep.

So, Danny comforted Molly, as the nurse, Vicki Pullen, went sympathetically about her unwelcome task.

 

After the normal formalities and legalities were completed,

there was a small private funeral at St Savior’s Church, outside Colorado Springs, where he was temporarily interred in the crypt where he would reside until arrangements could be made for him to be repatriated to Beaumont Island where he would be buried at St Clara’s in Spaniards Creek with Molly’s parents, Charlotte and John, and her Grandmother Bella.

 

Following the funeral, the reading of the will took place at the

Arnold residence, Lakeside.

It was not a lengthy proceeding, the bulk of his estate was left in trust to Molly, all the Art in his collection was bequeathed to various museums and institutions, the staff at Lakeside were left generous lump sums, meaning they would never need to work full time again, unless they wanted to, and Lakeside itself along with its remaining furnishings was left to St Savior’s Church, outside Colorado Springs, which made Danny smile.

The remainder were a large number of smaller bequests to a variety of individuals and institutions which were too numerous to mention.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (008) The Beaumont’s and the Shaw’s

 

May

The first thing the Shaw sisters did on inheriting the company was to upgrade their fleet using some very lucrative government and EU green incentives.

Opting for the British Built Bluebird Electric Powered Ferries, The Bluebird 1, 60 meters Long and 20 meters wide, made of lightweight aluminium, making it half the weight of a conventional ferry, with space on deck for about 80 cars, although its mainly freight vehicles on the Pepperstock Bay Islands ferry route, and can accommodate 250 people.

The Bluebird 2, built of the same materials, is 40 meters longer and will carry 150 cars and 500 passengers on the cross-channel and Channel Island routes.

They sold their old fleet of 8 vessels to a Malaysian and Singapore consortium and along with the cash incentives and a loan from the Downshire and District Building Society, they bought six new Ferries for what turned out to be a very modest investment and the running costs going forward were half of the that of the old ships they replaced and after 3 years would be paying for themselves, judging by the cost saving over the first 12 months.  

 

Olivia and Tanya Shaw were the happiest they’d ever been following their parents’ retirement, leaving them in sole control.

They were running the company that they loved and had their dream jobs as skippers of their own vessels, they shared their old family home in the beautiful village of Pepperstock Green, situated amidst the magnificent mixed forestry on the south and east of the Pepperstock Hills National Park.

They also had sufficient time off to indulge their interests, the only thing that was missing for them both was a significant other.

However, that changed on a stormy April Wednesday when nature leant a hand, when Olivia had to take refuge in St Pierre from the storm and met Joshua Beaumont who she had unfinished business with following a midnight kiss on New Years Eve ten years earlier, a kiss which hinted at being the beginning of something, which never came to pass.

But thanks to the storm they finally moved to the next level courtesy of the Beaumont Manor Hotel.

Meanwhile his brother Ben was stranded in Pipershaven and due to the same storm felling trees he met Tanya on a deserted road, their meeting was more restrained, but the attraction between them was unmistakable, Tanya for one was not going to let restraint get in the way on their next meeting.

However, the Beaumont’s and the Shaw’s didn’t see each other in the week and a half that followed but that was about to change because on Saturday morning of the Early May Bank Holiday weekend the Shaw girls were passengers aboard the Queen Eleanor sailing to Beaumont Island.

 

It was strange to travel to an island they had been to so many times but had nothing to do but enjoy the scenery.

The island has a predominantly rocky coast with high cliffs, with three beaches on the west coast, one either side of St Pierre port, Centurian’s to the north, Manor Cliff to the south and halfway between the port and Spaniard creek was Norman Beach.

The north and south of the island is open farmland, the western side is a rugged grass covered craggy landscape and is good sheep country, the lower slopes on the eastern side of the crags are forested and beyond the woods is lush farmland leading down to the cliffs edge.

St Pierre in the southwest corner, is the largest town on the island, in fact it’s the only town on the island and the most densely populated part, with Saxvirdan, a small hamlet north of the town, made up of former labourer’s cottages close to the remains of the old Roman fort site, so all of the house’s contain to some extent, materials acquired from the old Roman Buildings, and that’s it, apart from the fishing village of Spaniards Creek to the south, so called because it was where a severely damaged Spanish Galleon from the Armada sought refuge from the English Navy and the storm in May 1588.

The only evidence of the event in the present day are the oak beams in the Tudor buildings of the old village dwellings.

 

The island’s population averaged around 3000 and among that number were itinerant workers, fruit and veg pickers on one of the five farms, Roman Water, Woodside, Beacon, Longlake or Crag Edge, and hospitality staff mainly at the Beaumont Manor Hotel which was formerly the home of the Beaumont family, and tourists of every ilk.

The beaches, hill walking, bird watching and fishing were the most popular pastimes that attracted the visitors.

The ruins of the Roman fort, Saxa Viridia Castellum. was of great interest to archaeologists and tourists alike and Beacon Rock was also a visitor’s favourite, it was so called, because a beacon was built on the rock to warn of the impending arrival of the Spanish Armada, but it was never lit due to the fact that the weather was so bad that the sentry’s couldn’t see past the end of the island let alone a fleet of ships.

The fresh water on Beaumont came from three Lakes, Roman Water to the North, Shepherds Lake in the Southeast and High Lake in the Centre, which fed the Spanish and Beacon Rivers, and there was good fishing to be had on all of them.

 

But the girls knew nothing of the island, none of the history, none of the geography or topography, none of the ruggedness, none of the beauty, Olivia had had only been as far as the Beaumont Manor Hotel and Tanya hadn’t been further than the harbour, but that weekend it would be different.

 

Tanya spent much of the journey on that bright spring Saturday pacing up and down the deck.

Since she last saw him on board that very ship, she was pacing on. They had been trading texts and emails, the general content of their missives was first date stuff, finding out the other’s likes and dislikes, their backgrounds, and their aspirations, interspersed with humour, and a little flirting.

But there had been no real depth to them, she liked him, really liked him, and she hoped he felt the same, but she didn’t know, the whole thing had left her feeling like a schoolgirl.

 

Olivia also had been in regular correspondence with Josh and spent most of the crossing glued to her phone trading messages.

Because their relationship was further advanced than the siblings, their interactions were sprinkled with outrageous flirtation and no small degree of lovemaking.

This had been a new experience for her, and she hoped for Josh also, she had not had phone sex before, it was nice, but she couldn’t wait to see him again so they could do it for real again.

 

Tanya on the other hand was feeling a mixture of fear and disappointment, fear that he didn’t feel the same about her as she did about him and disappointment in herself for not snogging his face off the previous time instead of kissing his cheek, twice.

Tanya Shaw’s attractive figure trembled as she recalled her cowardice, and she was determined there would be no cheek kissing this weekend.

 

As the Queen Eleanor began its approach to the harbour entrance, Tanya turned on her heels and rushed away.

“Where are you going?” Olivia asked.

“To the toilet” she replied curtly.

“What again?”

After emptying her bladder for the umpteenth time, she stood in front of the mirror and surveyed her reflection.

She was, by her own admission, an attractive young woman, red hair, with rather striking features, the most stunning eyes, and even better legs.

As she stood in front of the mirror, she combed her shoulder length red hair and then touched up her makeup.

She wore a short floral dress, showing off her legs, she liked her legs, then turned side on to admire herself in the mirror, then she stood on her tiptoes to get a better look at her legs, and then she nodded to herself.

Having viewed herself from every possible angle she gave herself a quick spray of perfume and put her things away in her bag.

After stopping briefly for one last look in the mirror and then she said out loud.

“You are definitely going to get snogged.” She said and nodded to herself and made her way back to her sister.

 

Olivia and Tanya left their car in Pipershaven and travelled as foot passengers on the ferry as they were being met by the Beaumont’s who were taking them to lunch.

As soon as Tanya caught sight of them on the quayside, her eyes went straight to Ben, who was wearing chinos and a plaid shirt and she thought he looked great, in fact he looked good enough to eat, and she would have gladly had him for lunch.

 

When the ramp was lowered, and the pedestrians began to disembark, Olivia grabbed Tanya’s hand and they ran headlong for the quay and the waiting Beaumont’s.

Olivia let go of her sister’s hand about ten yards from her target and launched herself into Josh’s arms and they embraced, unrestrained.

  

Tanya stopped when Olivia let go of her hand and her confidence began to ebb away as she looked into his soulful eyes, smiled, and walked toward him, and as she approached, they never averted their gaze, totally oblivious to anyone else’s presence.

“Hello” Ben said.

“Hello” She answered coyly and then they kissed, not a full on unrestrained pash like the other two, but all the panic and self-doubt she had felt, just melted away.

 

They lunched at the Orangery at the Beaumont Manor Hotel and Tanya and Ben held hands all through the meal and afterwards they moved to the lounge for coffee and liqueurs, but after about 10 minutes they stood up and Tanya said.

“We’re just going out to the terrace for some fresh air.” 

 

About twenty minutes later Olivia and Josh had finished their drinks and decided to go and join them on the Terrace but were surprised to find it empty.

On the way back to the lounge they paused beside the cloakroom they could see Josh’s twin brother locked in a passionate embrace with a little redhead.

“Hello, you two” Olivia called “We were expecting you to still be on the terrace.”

The couple instantly separated, and a blushing Tanya said.

“It got a bit chilly.”

“Really?”

“Yes really”

“It’s a bit hotter in the cloakroom I’m guessing” Olivia said, and she and Josh laughed as they headed towards the lounge.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (007) The End is Nigh

 

By the time they headed into a more benign April, Sir Avery Arnold was confined to his bed and the amount of time spent on chess games with Danny Nightingale became less and less.

Until one day towards the end of the month he didn’t want to play at all and said.

“I only have enough energy for one thing today and I really need to talk to you about the future.”

“Ok”

“Over the past few months, I have noticed you have taken Molly under your wing, and I thank you for that.”

“Molly is like a sponge for knowledge, she is a very clever girl, very resourceful, very smart.”

“Of course she is, she has two degrees after all.”

“Really? she told me she hadn’t been to University.”   

“That’s right she hasn’t, she was home schooled, private tutors, online lectures and such, the best that money could buy” he said, “I’m very proud of her.”

“You should be.”

“The problem is that because I have cossetted her, I have left her vulnerable to the dangers of the outside world, which was the very opposite of what I intended, so it’s my fault because I have been overprotective of her.”

“I don’t think she’s vulnerable” Danny said, “She seems so confident.”

“That’s because she lights up around you, she seems to draw energy from you” Sir Avery said.

“She keeps the world at arm’s length, all her communications with the real world are done by email or messages.”

“What do you want me to do?” Danny asked.

“Molly is my sole heir, I’m leaving her everything in a trust fund, so she is going to be incredibly wealthy when she turns 25,” he explained.

“I want you to ease her into the world, introduce her to things I have denied her, through my cosseting, so she is better able to cope with the burden I’m leaving her with.”

“You want me to be like her guardian?”

“In a way”

“But she’s only 22, do you really think she’ll put up with me holding her hand for 3 years until she comes of age?”

“I do, I have no doubt of it” Avery replied, “She has been like your shadow almost since the first moment you met, she admires you, respects you and looks up to you.”

“Have you spoken to Molly about this?”

“Not about your involvement, but everything else yes”

“So, what exactly is “everything else”?”

“Do you remember I told you I was from Spaniards Creek on Beaumont Island?”

“Yes”

“Well, I still own the cottage there, it hasn’t been lived in since Charlotte died, so it will need a lick of paint, an annoying man by the name of Paul Steptoe keeps an eye on the place, to be honest he’s been trying to buy it from me for years, but he’s an odious individual and I’d rather burn it to the ground than sell it to him”

“So, the cottage is important to you” Danny said.

“It was my parents’ house, and I was born there, and it was Molly’s home, before Charlotte and John were killed” Avery explained. “So, its sacred ground for me”

“I understand”

“It would also be a great place to write, and as the island only has a population of about 3000 it would be a good place for Molly to rejoin the world.”

After a few moments he added.

“I know I’m asking a lot of you, why don’t you take some time to think about it.”

“I don’t need to,” Danny Replied, “Of course I’ll do it, providing Molly is cool with it.”

“Thank you” Avery said and shook his hand, and it looked as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

“Just one question though, we’ve only known each other for a few months, and you are trusting me with your most precious possession” Danny said, “What makes you think I’m the right person?”

“Well, I’m a good judge of character for one thing and you’ve agreed and haven’t once asked what’s in it for you, that’s how I know,”

The conversation had clearly taken its toll and left him fatigued so the nurse ushered Danny out.

“That’s enough for today, time to rest.”

 

The evening had clearly taken more out of him than Danny had first thought, because he was declared out of bounds by 

the nurse, Vicki Pullen, so it wasn’t until the afternoon of the following day that Danny got to see Avery again, and this time Molly was present as well when he arrived.

Avery had already explained about the Cottage in Spaniards Creek, and some of the financial points.

“There is something I haven’t discussed with you before in relation to the cottage, I have asked Danny to stay with

you to act in an avuncular way.” Avery explained.

“But only if you are in 100% complete agree…” Danny began.

“Yes” she replied emphatically.

“So just to be clear, you are happy for me to be living in your house?”

“Sharing the house” she corrected him.

“And you are quite happy about that?” Danny asked.

“Providing we are equals” she replied, and Avery smiled because her reply was evidence of the positive effect that Danny had already had on her.

“That’s a done deal then” Sir Avery said.

 

Despite the fact that she was deeply upset that her grandfather was on the brink of death she left his room there was a positivity she hadn’t felt before, she had worried that she wouldn’t see Danny again once her grandfather had passed away, but she had been given a reprieve.

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.