Katie Fforde - Going Dutch

‘There's some orange and mango juice,' suggested Dora. 'It's lovely with some fizzy water.'

‘Carbonated water is connected with osteoporosis,' said Carole.

‘Not at your age, surely!' said Jo.

‘It's never too early to start taking care of oneself,' said Carole. 'You should be really careful.'

‘What about you, Marcus?' Jo went on, ignoring this and making an effort to speak to him when she felt like spitting. The combination of Marcus's sullenness and Carole's fussiness was getting on her nerves. How would she last an hour, let alone a few days with them?

‘Wine – no – make that a lager.'

‘You're going to have to drink my wine eventually,' said Jo, almost to herself. 'It's perfectly nice. It was on offer and Dora and I have been test-driving it.’

Carole frowned.

Aware that Carole was still drinkless, Dora said, 'Why not have the orange and mango with just a splash of sparkling water? I'm sure a little drop can't do you any harm. You could take a calcium pill or something.'

‘OK, that would be fine,' said Carole with a rare smile. 'I did bring all my supplements with me.'

‘But how are you going to manage when all you really want to drink is water?' asked Jo, who thought she'd con sidered every single requirement anyone could possibly have. Her heart sank.

‘I'll pop along to the Eight-'til-Late,' said Tom, who had come in quietly and helped himself to a can of lager. 'Dora can help me carry it.'

‘Well, let's eat first. Everyone must be hungry. Oh, thanks for setting an extra place, Dora. Just sit anywhere, all of you.’

There was a lot of shuffling and jostling and you-go firsting and then Carole said, 'I'm a vegetarian.’

Jo thought about the dishes and dishes of non-vegetarian food she had prepared. 'Oh well, would you like me to make you a quick omelette or something?'

‘Yes, please.’

Jo had offered but she hadn't expected Carole to accept.

She had expected her to say, 'Just a baked potato is fine.’

‘Carole, don't put Jo to that trouble,' said Marcus quietly. 'It's no trouble,' said Jo, struggling to her feet.

‘I'll do it,' said Tom. 'I'm nearest.’

Jo and Dora sent him looks of gratitude that almost conferred sainthood.

‘Thank you so much, Tom. Now, shall I serve out? I'll do it for this first meal, but you'll have to look after yourselves after that.’

Everyone began eating except Carole, who regarded the baked potato and peas on her plate. They were possibly not toxic, but they were certainly high on the glycemic index -or perhaps low. Dora didn't know which, she only knew that from Carole's point of view they were 'Bad'. When Tom laid a perfectly golden omelette next to them, Dora felt he was due a round of applause. Jo obviously agreed because she gave him a very warm smile and patted hisarm affectionately. Dora caught Marcus noticing this with distinct lack of approval. He was probably embarrassed that it was his girlfriend who had made the omelette necessary.

‘This is delicious, Jo,' said Ed. 'Would you pass the bread, I want to make sure I don't miss any of the wonderful sauce.’

Jo handed him the basket of bread and added a smile such as she had just bestowed on Tom. 'There's plenty more if you'd like it later.'

‘Oh, I'm fine, love. Better wait till everyone's finished before doling out a second lot of rations.'

‘How's your omelette, Carole?' asked Jo warmly. Possibly only Dora could tell that Jo might have said something very rude had the answer not been positive. 'It's wonderful. Thank you so much, Tom.’

Strange, thought Dora, Marcus didn't seem to notice Carole's beaming smile of gratitude.

Carole rejected the homely crumble that oozed black currant juice over the edges and had a crisp, buttery crust that Dora could have eaten by itself as a biscuit it was so good. She didn't want tea or coffee, either.

Ed stood up. 'That was thoroughly enjoyable, Jo. I can see we're going to get good vittles on this trip. Now we'll just get this washing-up out of the way-'

‘Well thank you so much for offering, Ed,' said Jo, 'but there's a dishwasher and I expect Marcus wants to talk things over with you. Dora and I will do this in a jiffy.'

‘OK then, I dare say the boss does want a bit of a conference, but I don't hold with the womenfolk doing all the domestic chores, so put me down for cooking duty sometime.'

‘I certainly will, Ed. Thank you so much!' Jo's gratitude was perhaps enhanced by the fact that Carole had gone on deck, possibly for a cigarette, and Marcus looked pre occupied, a frown of concentration on his face.

Tom tagged on to the planning meeting that was going on round the table while Jo and Dora dealt with the detritus of the meal.

‘I'll leave this dish to soak a bit, shall I? Those bits won't come off in the dishwasher even if we could fit it in,' said Dora.

‘Oh yes, we can finish in the morning.' Jo yawned hugely. 'What time do you want us ready for action tomorrow, Marcus?' She'd decided she had to try and treat him normally. They couldn't set off with her hating him, she had enough to feel stressed about.

He looked startled. 'Why? Are you coming then?’

His question hung in the silence. 'Of course I'm coming,' said Jo after a second. 'Why shouldn't I be? Would you rather I didn't?’

Now he hesitated before speaking. 'I thought you'd changed your mind, that's all.'

‘Well, I hadn't,' said Jo, thinking now was not the time to demand how on earth he'd got hold of that idea. 'So what time?'

‘Er, well, high water is at seven, I want to set off about two hours before to get the benefit from the ebb. That means leaving at five – so I suppose we should get up at about half past four.'

‘Fine,' said Jo, hoping her horror didn't show as Dora gasped.

‘Not everyone needs to be up then,' said Ed soothingly, 'Marcus and me and young Tom here will be able to manage.'

‘No, I'll get up when you do,' Jo insisted, yawning widely, 'but I might slope off to bed now. I'm quite tired.'

‘We'll go and get the water then, shall we?' said Tom. 'We can carry it between us.’

Jo considered. Maybe a bit of fresh air would do her good before bed. 'No, I'll go and take the car. I'll give you a ring from the car park and you can help me carry it back.'

‘We'll all three go,' said Dora firmly. 'It won't take long.’

As Dora, Tom and Jo walked along the jetty to where the car was parked, Dora said, 'What are the chances of Carole having finished the washing-up before we get back?'

‘Low,' said Tom. 'She's a high-maintenance woman.’

Dora looked across to him. Was there a hint of admira tion in his voice? And if there was, why did she mind?

‘I feel quite sorry for her,' said Jo. 'She's going to sea with a lot of people she doesn't know. It would be daunting.' And her boyfriend is a moody boor, she added silently. She wondered if his earlier friendliness had just been to make sure she came along and he had a chief cook and bottle-washer on board. When he thought she wasn't coming he'd obviously felt peeved he hadn't got everything the way he wanted it. How childish. She had more sympathy with Carole.

‘You're just too forgiving,' said Dora. 'She probably invited herself, we're all in the same boat – if you'll forgive the expression – and she's an adult. She can just make an effort to fit in.'

‘I should have thought of water,' Jo went on. 'After all, it can taste a bit funny out of the tap after a few days.'

‘The water in the tap is fine,' said Tom firmly. 'It only gets stale if it's been there a while and we're not going away for long, it's only just a hop across the North Sea.'

‘Nothing's ever that simple, Tom,' said Jo. 'Trust me. I'm an eccentric old woman. T know stuff_’