Katie Fforde - Going Dutch

‘Mm. Yes please.’

So was she giving him cake because he was a man shewanted to impress or because she saw him as a boy she wanted to indulge? She'd had too many shocks lately, she decided, it had addled her brain – even her thoughts were gibberish.

Jo made two mugs of tea and then found the cake, which was hiding under a recipe she'd printed off the Internet. She brought the tea and then went back for the cake. Could she ask him outright why he hadn't just dumped the life-raft?

‘So, was there any other reason for coming round? Apart from the life-raft, I mean.’

He seemed to find her directness amusing and was equally direct. 'I came – with the life-raft – to see how you were getting on and to bum a cup of tea off you. I also thought you might have cake.’

She found his directness funny too, and she laughed. 'But, Marcus, it means we have to make polite conversation while you drink the tea and eat the cake.’

He raised his eyebrows in mock horror. 'I never thought of that.'

‘Don't worry. I'm good at thinking of uncontroversial topics of conversation. Tell me about Ed,' she said, dragging a subject from some previously unplumbed depth.

That surprised him. 'Ed? What about him?’

She made a throwaway gesture. 'Well, you know, I'm going boating with him. I ought to know what he's like.' Marcus apparently sensed that while Jo was being glib about her social skills, underneath it all she was unsettled and uncomfortable. 'Joanna, what's wrong?'

‘Nothing's wrong. I'm fine!'

‘No you're not. You seem anxious again. I wonder why?'

Jo took a breath. She thought she knew why but there

weren't enough wild horses in the universe to drag the information from her. She was annoyed with her brain and her body being so out of sync. Her brain didn't trust men, especially men like Marcus, so her body should jolly well do the decent thing and reject them too.

‘So – what does Ed like to eat?' Jo didn't want him to start counselling her again.

Marcus shook his head slightly, apparently giving up his attempts to get Jo to unburden. 'He'll eat anything, sleep anywhere, and takes his turn at the washing-up. He's very house-trained. I've known him a long time.'

‘He sounds like good news for lots of reasons. We'll definitely have him on the trip.’

Marcus smiled. 'He's also got years of ship-handling experience; he can steer. What about Tom, since we're interrogating each other on our choice of shipmate?'

‘You know about Tom, and as you've already told him he can come, you can't change your mind now.’

He studied her for a few seconds before answering. 'You fight for those you're fond of, don't you?'

‘Of course! Don't you?'

‘I'm not often fond of people. It's hard to tell.’

Suddenly her tension disappeared. She patted him firmly on the wrist. 'Oh, have some more cake, you miserable old misanthrope.’

He laughed and lifted his hand as if to cover Jo's, but just before Jo could panic, they heard Tom and Dora arrive. Marcus replaced his hand on the table and they both listened to the clattering down the stairs.

‘Hey, Jo! What's that enormous suitcase doing on deck? Oh, hello, Marcus,' added Dora.

‘It's a life-raft,' said Marcus.

‘I could have told you that,' said Tom.

‘Cup of tea?' Jo asked, putting the kettle on without waiting for an answer. When Dora came over to help her she added, 'How did it go?' sotto voce while Tom sat down next to Marcus and started talking to him about weather patterns.

‘Fine, really, although I think Mum would have been happier if Tom had been the new man in my life.’

Jo scooped a wet tea bag out of a mug and put it in the bin. 'I suppose that's only natural, in the circs.'

‘It was lovely seeing them again in a slightly more normal way though, after how we parted last time.'

‘I knew you'd feel better if you did. And your parents didn't try to make you go back and live at home, did they?'

‘Nope. I think they realise I've fled the nest.'

‘I think you mean "flown", don't you?'

‘No, "fled" is the word.' Dora chuckled. 'I was definitely fleeing. Or maybe I was chased out.'

‘Either way, I'm so glad you've made it all up. It must have niggled you.'

‘Yes it did. Mum and I have had our ups and downs over the years but I think we've reached a more equal point in our relationship now. We're beginning to see things from each other's point of view more. Oh, and John's got a new girlfriend.'

‘Oh…' Jo checked to see how Dora looked; she seemed quite calm about it all. 'How do you feel?'

‘Strangely, fine actually. I realise that I really did make the right decision. I think Mum and Dad do too, now.’

‘And they're not too miserable without you?'

‘Don't think so. They may even like having some time alone together. Mum's got some lovely new clothes.'

‘Although I would have much preferred Karen to stay in the same country, before it all went wrong for me and Philip we were enjoying each other's company. Or at least I was. I didn't realise he was enjoying someone else's more.’

Dora waited a tactful moment before saying, 'Has Marcus been here long?'

‘Not terribly. Long enough to have a cup of tea.'

‘And it's been OK? I still find Marcus a bit scary. He's so knowledgeable and a bit brusque. I feel I might make a mistake when he's around.’

`So do I really. Not sure why. He's perfectly polite.' But was he perfectly polite? Wasn't his rather intense questioning a bit rude? Jo chewed her lip. She felt like she'd been through a job interview and wasn't sure how she'd done. But at times it felt as if he might have been flirting with her. It was all very confusing.

Dora moved nearer. 'So did you talk about old times or something?'

‘Not really. Only in an abstract way. When we knew him I always thought he despised us for tying the knot and settling down so young.' She gave a small, wry laugh. 'Perhaps he could tell it wouldn't last.'

‘What are you two muttering about?' said Tom.

‘We're discussing what to do about supper,' said Jo instantly, improvising fluently. 'Because I said I absolutely refuse to cook it. And Dora said she couldn't cook it because the galley is covered with half-made lasagne and chilli.'

‘Yes,' said Dora, feeling that, personally, she didn't want to eat again for some time.

‘Oh,' said Tom, obviously convinced by this string of lies. 'Tell you what, why don't we go to the pub for a bar meal? I'll pay.'

‘That's a brilliant idea,' said Jo.

‘I must be getting back,' said Marcus, closing the charts and rising from the table.

‘We can't tempt you with chicken-in-a-basket?' asked Jo. Now she knew she couldn't, she felt free to ask.

‘What's "chicken-in-a-basket"?' asked Dora.

‘It's a seventies thing,' said Jo. 'You had to be there.'

‘Not at all,' said Marcus. 'It was disgusting. But even a home-made meal couldn't tempt me tonight. I've left Carole on her own.’

Thinking, but not saying, that she must be used to it, and yet still rather confused about Marcus and Carole's relationship, Jo said, 'Well, I certainly won't press you, but I will see you out.' They both went up into the wheelhouse.

‘Oh,' said Jo, 'what about the fuel?'

‘We'll get it as we go down the river. It's easier than arranging for the fuel barge to come here.'

‘Fine,' said Jo. Then, not knowing what else to say, she added, 'Thank you so much for bringing the life-raft.’

He looked down at her. 'Thank you for the tea and cake.’

‘It was a pleasure.’

He continued to look at her and Jo willed him not to say or do anything else unconventional or controversial. Her life as a wife and mother hadn't prepared her for being with large men she was not related to in any way in small, intimate places.