Colin Forbes - The Main chance

He had thrown the two oilskins on the shed floor in disgust, had donned his own oilskin, not using the hood as he checked the angle of his blue peaked cap. Paula glanced seaward and saw the wave Marshal had referred to approaching. As he climbed aboard and bent down to depress the starting lever he called out. `Door will close automatically the moment I've left. Best view will be from living-room window. Help yourself to the food.'

They reached the living-room window in time to see Sprite emerging from its shed. It moved forward slowly on a level section of the ramp, met the huge wave as it scudded at speed down the tilted section. It crested the wave and plunged into Oyster Bay.

Paula lifted the lid of the enamel box, one eye gazing out of the window. As she'd expected from Lavinia, the box was neatly packed. She called out to Tweed. `Chicken or ham sandwich?' `Both.'

She also brought two cardboard cups decorated with a Wedgewood design and a flask of coffee. She had a shock when she stared out of the window. The bridge where Marshal was ensconced had a rear window and she could see him bent forward over the wheel. Her shock was caused by the direction the Sprite was taking, heading for Pindle Rock. `He's going to hit Pindle,' she said tensely. `No, he isn't,' Tweed replied through a mouthful of sandwich. 'He's steering west to avoid the underwater current.'

He was. The Sprite had changed course, then proceeded across the middle of Oyster Bay, heading for the exit into the ocean. The bay was a tumult of large waves following each other. The Sprite skilfully crested each wave and disappeared briefly before it mounted the next giant. `He's got guts,' Tweed commented. 'Guts for anything, I'd say,' he added thoughtfully. `He's mad!' Paula burst out. 'Mad as the legendary hatter. Look what's waiting for him, assuming he does get through the exit from the bay.'

Tweed had to admit to himself it was a terrifying prospect. Storm clouds had suddenly swept in from the west. The open sea was reacting violently. Mountainous waves were churning up the water, turning it into a maelstrom. Surely Marshal would turn round, come back? Tweed took out his pair of binoculars from his overcoat pocket. Like Paula he had put on his coat because it was cold inside the cottage. `The fool is going to hit the right-hand cape,' Paula said.

Peering through the lenses, Tweed saw Marshal had adjusted the steering. The Sprite passed through the exit with plenty of room on either side. Then it dived into the maelstrom. Paula couldn't watch any longer.

She went back to the enamel box for the third time, collected two more plates and two chunks of Dundee cake well wrapped in greaseproof paper, refilled the cups with more coffee, took them to where Tweed was still standing. He thanked her without taking his eyes off the ocean. Paula felt compelled to watch.

The Sprite was being tossed about like a cockleshell, but now it was cresting from one wave to another. Then it turned towards the coast, swept through the exit into Oyster Bay. Passing well clear of Pindle Rock it mounted the crest of an incoming wave. Paula heard the door into the shed rising up. `How does he do that?' she wondered. `Probably has a powerful radio control – the sort of thing you use to open a power-operated garage door from the outside. Give him time to get rid of his wet clothes.'

They watched as, on the wave crest, the Sprite sailed up the rail-ramp into the shed. The door rattled shut. Paula picked up some plans off the table. `It's much smaller than it looks but the fore part has two guest suites with bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms. Same at the part behind the bridge. Do you really think it could split into two in case of an accident?' `I think so. As it went down the slipway I noticed behind the bridge on the rear deck a wide deep metal band running from port to starboard. That, I think, is where it could split. And there was the top of a second rudder attached just below the bridge…'

He stopped talking as Marshal, clad in his country clothes, entered with a rush, slamming the door shut behind him. His face was red, his eyes gleaming with pleasure.

Tit rough out on the ocean but Sprite coped, as she always does. Lavinia will be annoyed she wasn't here' `She goes out with you in seas like that as a passenger?' Tweed asked in surprise. `More than that. She can operate the damned thing better than I can. She's brilliant at steering. So I suppose she must have some talent,' he sneered on a downbeat note. `I've had an urgent message recalling me immediately,' Tweed said quickly. 'Hope you don't mind coming back by yourself. We have seen the show, for which many thanks' `You mean I come back later after I've eaten?' `We've left you plenty to eat,' Paula intervened, seeing the scowl on his face. 'Thank you for a memorable experience.' `Then you'd better shove off,' he snapped. 'Other guests always travel down and back with me.' `What message?' Paula asked when they were well away from Seacove. `I made it up. Couldn't stand the thought of trailing back behind Marshal's Rolls. And what a weird vessel, the Sprite.' `I wouldn't travel in it for a fortune,' Paula said. 'And you've still got my mobile phone. Why not get one of your own?' `Because I dislike them, but I need it at the moment.' `You remember when Marshal was using his mobile and it was so loud we heard not only what he was saying but what people at the other end also were saying? How come?' `He had the volume turned full up. But why? To show what an important man he is. I think I can remember the way back.' `I don't think you can. Which is why I'm checking the map. I'll navigate…'

A storm broke. Rain lashed so ferociously Tweed had trouble seeing through the windscreen even with the wipers going full blast. It hammered on the roof, stopped as suddenly as it had started. It was beginning to get dark.

When they reached the tunnel through The Forest it was night and Tweed had his highlights on full beam. Paula didn't like it even with the headlights on. She was relieved when the gates to Hengistbury swung open after a brief delay. `Peace again now,' she whispered.

It was not long before she regretted making the remark.

Climbing the steps to the terrace they saw that all the lights at the front of the manor were on. Standing in the open left-hand door was Leo. His yellow hair was all over the place and he was wearing his usual T-shirt and jeans. He had a silly grin on his face. `I opened the gates for you,' he said gleefully as they followed him into the dimly lit hall. `You're not allowed to,' called out Snape, standing at the foot of the staircase. 'I'm allowed to and so is Lavinia. Not you…' `And you're nothing but the friggin' butler,' Leo yelled at him. 'The one who disappears for hours, so push off.'

As Snape, furious, went back up the staircase Tweed was aware that Mrs Grandy was standing near the entrance to the corridor leading to the kitchen. `You're too late for dinner,' she said with a nasty smile. 'It was served at six. This is my evening off to visit my sister in Gladworth. Best I can do for you two is shepherd's pie and one of Lavinia's fruit things. Ready in a half-hour. Served in dinin' room.' `Sounds appetizing,' Tweed replied with a smile. 'But what about Marshal?' `Tried to get 'im on the phone. No reply. So 'e'll 'ave to fend for 'is self…'

As she disappeared Leo tugged at Tweed's arm, guiding him towards the library. `Got something to tell you. Someone you'll want to go and see urgently.' `What about closing the entrance gates?' Paula suggested. Leo had closed the door into the hall as soon as they were inside. `Shut them while you were coming up the drive, didn't I?'

Tweed and Paula walked into the library, sat down in armchairs at the round table. Leo, exuding excitement, came bustling in after hanging up the coats he had taken from them. He closed the door carefully. `Mind if we sit at the far end?' he requested. 'Then if Snape listens at the door he won't hear nothing'