Katie Fforde - Going Dutch

‘OK, so what's the other sort of log then? When it's not part of a tree, that is.'

‘Obviously it was originally part of a tree – they used to trail one behind the ship – oh, never mind. What it means in Ed's terms is a sort of wheel that counted how many leagues or nautical miles you'd travelled.'

‘Not fathoms?'

‘No, that's depth, and it's metres now. That's the "lead" part. That used to be a bit of lead on a long line that was marked out in fathoms. Sometimes they used to put tallow on it so it would pick up sand or shale or whatever so they could tell what the bottom was like. Then, if they wanted to anchor, they knew if it would hold or not.’

Dora found herself surprisingly interested. Tom really did know his stuff. 'So that's working out how deep the water is. How does that help?'

‘The least depths are marked on the chart so you know that at any stage of the tide you've always got a bit more water than that. The lookout bit is self-explanatory.'

‘So what it all means is that you have to have old-fashioned methods to check your new-fangled machinery. I didn't realise navigation was so low tech.’

Tom laughed. 'It involves a lot of calculations which fortunately I don't have to do. Oh, here's Carole with the tea.' He smiled warmly at her and she smiled back. 'That was quick.'

‘Oh, Jo had already made it. I just brought it up. Here.' She handed Dora a mug, slopping a bit over her hand. Fortunately it wasn't desperately hot.

‘Has Marcus gone for a nap?' she said, putting Tom's mug down carefully. 'I might slip in and join him.’

She gave a little giggle and Tom and Dora exchanged pained glances as she went below.

A moment later she reappeared. 'He doesn't want to be disturbed,' she said importantly. 'I'm going to get a drink of water.’

Dora thought she seemed tense and wondered if there'd been time for a row in those few minutes she was in the cabin with Marcus.

‘I hate to be fussy,' said Tom, oblivious of any tension, 'but this tea is really cold. You wouldn't make me another cup?’

Carole smiled winningly. 'Anything for you, Tom, if I can work out how to do it.'

‘On the gas,' snapped Dora. 'It's quite simple.’

Jo was still clearing up when Carole joined her in the galley. 'I've got to make more tea for Tom,' she said. 'At least he wants me,' she added in a mutter so soft Jo could ignore it.

‘Oh, OK. Shall I do it for you?'

‘I'm not stupid, you know. I can boil water.'

‘It was just that I'm over here.' Jo sensed hurt behind this somewhat belligerent statement. 'Of course you're a very capable young woman, Carole.' Jo didn't know this for a fact, but she had run Marcus's life for him for a while. She must be capable or he wouldn't put up with her.

Carole filled the kettle and banged it on to the stove, slopping water over the burners so that when she tried to light the gas, it spluttered and refused to co-operate.

‘What's the matter?' asked Jo gently.

‘Everything! I wish I'd never come on this horrid trip. Everyone hates me. Marcus is being vile. I just wish I could go home!'

‘Well, you can, quite soon. Don't get upset, Carole. No one hates you.'

‘I think Marcus does.'

‘I'm sure he doesn't.' Jo's words were automatic but she thought something must have caused Carole to feel like this, and she blamed it on Marcus. It wasn't fair to bring Carole on this trip, when he must have known what she'd be like, and then be unkind to her. Jo had noticed that he was rather dismissive of her and their relationship wasn't exactly loving, in public at least, but she did hope they could hold it together until the end of the trip. Being a ship's agony aunt wasn't part of Jo's job description.

‘Do you think he's too old for me?' Carole's question seemed more of a plea.

Jo took a breath to give herself time to consider her answer. 'Well, it's a very personal thing, of course.’

‘But do you?'

‘Carole, love, it's nothing to do with me.'

‘I know! I just want your opinion. Dora thinks he is.'

‘Did she say that?' It was unlike Dora to be so outspoken. Karen, now, she'd have said exactly what she thought.

‘Not exactly. She said that as much as she loved her dad she couldn't go out with someone remotely his age. How old is Dora's father?'

‘I don't know! I should imagine he's a bit older than Marcus, though.' Jo swallowed, having done a few sums and come to the wrong answer. 'Do you think he's too old for you?'

‘Maybe. I mean, he's very sexy, but sometimes he's quite bad-tempered.'

‘Younger men can be bad-tempered too, you know, but Iadmit they tend to be more tolerant.' Jo didn't want to think about Marcus's sexiness at that point.

‘Tom's really nice.'

‘Yes.' Jo really didn't know what to say now. In her mind, Tom was Dora's. But Dora always maintained they were just good friends.

‘I think he fancies me.’

Jo bit her lip. 'I'm sure he does, but I really don't think you should flirt with Tom on this trip. It would be awful if he and Marcus fell out.'

‘But it might make Marcus jealous, then he'd want me again.'

‘Nothing is certain where men are concerned,' said Jo, with feeling. 'Look what happened to me!'

‘What happened to you?'

‘On the other hand, I don't suppose that's very unusual. My husband left me for a much younger woman.’

‘Oh.' Carole certainly didn't seem surprised.

‘Who's now pregnant.’

This caused her to be a bit more animated. 'Oh, that's nice.'

‘I suppose it is.' Jo suppressed a pang of jealousy. 'For her. Carole, do you want children?'

‘Oh yes. I'd love a baby.'

‘Leave Marcus then – he's far too old to be a father.' She had spoken without thinking, but the thought of Marcus tolerating a demanding toddler with the patience demand ing toddlers required was too unlikely to be considered.

‘Quite old men become fathers these days,' said Carole, pouting a little.

‘I know, but because it's biologically possible doesn't mean it's desirable. I think if Marcus wanted a family, he'd have had one by now.’

Carole considered. 'Hm. I think you may be right. Maybe I'll finish with him.' She moved as if to go and do it that very moment.

Jo put out a hand and would have physically stopped her had it seemed necessary. 'But not till this trip is over, please! We don't want a lot of upset.'

‘I won't be upset. I don't mind dumping people. I've done it lots of times.'

‘But Marcus would be! Think, his glamorous girlfriend leaving him, in front of a whole lot of people! It would be awful!'

‘But that would serve him right for being so horrible.'

‘Was he really horrible? I don't see he can have had time.' Jo drew Carole to the table and pushed her gently into a chair. Tom would have to wait for his tea.

‘Just now. He was a bastard!'

‘Everyone else seems to think he was a hero.' Jo teetered between disliking Marcus, because that seemed the safe thing to do, and wanting to stick up for him and stop his girlfriend leaving him.

‘Well, he wasn't heroic to me! I thought I'd snuggle up with him while he had a nap and he told me not to disturb him!'

‘He's probably very tired. He's been on watch more or less all day, with only the odd hour off here and there. He needs some rest, Carole.' He's old, she could have added, but didn't.

‘He could have rested with me there! He never seems to have any trouble at night, snoring away!'

‘Older men do tend to snore more. Don't know why,' said Jo, reflectively.

‘Well, it's disgusting. I'm sure Tom doesn't snore.’

‘You'd have to ask Ed,' said Jo, whose mouth was fighting for permission to smile. 'Although not now!’

‘Do you think I'm being silly?'