Read Online FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA by Jennifer Bohnet - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Jennifer Bohnet
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garden.
A high red-brick wall around the entire perimeter of the property encased it in perfect solitude from its neighbours, creating a little bit of countryside in the heart of town.
Once they were inside, Cassie turned to Anna.
“I can see you living here. It’s got such a wonderful feel about it - even on a day like today.”
The next hour flew by as they wandered from room to room, discussing the best way to redesign and decorate the house.
They finished the tour of inspection in the kitchen. “The only thing I must have in here apart from the Aga is a dresser,” Anna declared.
“The only thing I must have right now is lunch!” Cassie said. “I’m starving.”
“Come on then. Let’s get the key back. Shall I make an offer d’you think?” Anna asked seriously.
“You’d be mad not to,” Cassie said.
Anna, as promised, treated them to lunch in the old coaching inn on the embankment. Before leaving town they did some shopping and then drove slowly home in the rain that was still pouring down.
As they drove into the yard Cassie was surprised to see Dexter’s sports car parked in front of the house.
“Lovely to see you Dexter,” she said. “Tom didn’t say you were coming. Are you staying?”
“It was a spur of the moment thing. And, yes, please if you can put up with me for a couple of days. I’m on my way down to Plymouth but I don’t have to be there for a couple of days.”
Supper that evening was a jolly affair. Tom was pleased to see his old friend and as they all gathered around the table, he and Dexter were soon deep in reminiscences about the times they’d sailed together and the races they’d won.
Because Tom was hemmed in and unable to move quickly, it was Dexter who got up to answer the satellite phone when Polly called.
“No problems to report? Good. So we’ll see you tomorrow about mid-day? D’you want to talk to Cassie? Tom? OK I’ll give everyone your love. Take care out there,” he said.
“Everything is fine.” He turned to Cassie. “She’s planning on having something to eat then getting some sleep so she’ll be awake and ready to tackle the busiest part of the channel tomorrow. Sends her love to everyone.”
The next morning Cassie and Dexter were down on the landing pontoon as Polly motored up river. They both gave her a hand securing Clotted Cream alongside.
Within minutes the shore crew from Rule of Thumb Technology were on board checking out all the electronics and plans were made to begin loading provisions that afternoon.
“Did you have much trouble trimming the boat?” Dexter asked, looking at Polly’s slight frame and remembering how difficult it had been for him to balance the last boat he’d raced properly.
Polly shook her head.
“Not really. The only problem is, with the wind continually changing direction you know that you’ll be shifting it all back again within a few hours. Hopefully during the race itself the wind will be more consistent.”
“Probably be much stronger too,” was Dexter’s only comment as he picked up Polly’s sail-bag ready to go ashore.
That afternoon Polly and Dexter loaded and packed provisions into Clotted Cream’s hold with an easy familiarity. As they walked tiredly back to the house Polly turned to Dexter.
“Thanks a lot for your help. I really appreciate it.”
Dexter glanced at her before replying.
“I gather from Tom that your boyfriend is worried about you doing this trip?”
Polly shrugged.
“Mum’s worried too. But she hasn’t said I shouldn’t.”
“And he has?”
Polly just pulled a face and didn’t answer.
“Are you and he engaged?” he persisted.
“No.” Polly shook her head. She didn’t feel the need to tell Dexter about the ring box hidden in her drawer - or about the doubts she was having over her feelings for Sebastian.
She’d enough to think about right now.
The next twenty-four hours were busy ones. Everybody in the boatyard and marina was roped in
A high red-brick wall around the entire perimeter of the property encased it in perfect solitude from its neighbours, creating a little bit of countryside in the heart of town.
Once they were inside, Cassie turned to Anna.
“I can see you living here. It’s got such a wonderful feel about it - even on a day like today.”
The next hour flew by as they wandered from room to room, discussing the best way to redesign and decorate the house.
They finished the tour of inspection in the kitchen. “The only thing I must have in here apart from the Aga is a dresser,” Anna declared.
“The only thing I must have right now is lunch!” Cassie said. “I’m starving.”
“Come on then. Let’s get the key back. Shall I make an offer d’you think?” Anna asked seriously.
“You’d be mad not to,” Cassie said.
Anna, as promised, treated them to lunch in the old coaching inn on the embankment. Before leaving town they did some shopping and then drove slowly home in the rain that was still pouring down.
As they drove into the yard Cassie was surprised to see Dexter’s sports car parked in front of the house.
“Lovely to see you Dexter,” she said. “Tom didn’t say you were coming. Are you staying?”
“It was a spur of the moment thing. And, yes, please if you can put up with me for a couple of days. I’m on my way down to Plymouth but I don’t have to be there for a couple of days.”
Supper that evening was a jolly affair. Tom was pleased to see his old friend and as they all gathered around the table, he and Dexter were soon deep in reminiscences about the times they’d sailed together and the races they’d won.
Because Tom was hemmed in and unable to move quickly, it was Dexter who got up to answer the satellite phone when Polly called.
“No problems to report? Good. So we’ll see you tomorrow about mid-day? D’you want to talk to Cassie? Tom? OK I’ll give everyone your love. Take care out there,” he said.
“Everything is fine.” He turned to Cassie. “She’s planning on having something to eat then getting some sleep so she’ll be awake and ready to tackle the busiest part of the channel tomorrow. Sends her love to everyone.”
The next morning Cassie and Dexter were down on the landing pontoon as Polly motored up river. They both gave her a hand securing Clotted Cream alongside.
Within minutes the shore crew from Rule of Thumb Technology were on board checking out all the electronics and plans were made to begin loading provisions that afternoon.
“Did you have much trouble trimming the boat?” Dexter asked, looking at Polly’s slight frame and remembering how difficult it had been for him to balance the last boat he’d raced properly.
Polly shook her head.
“Not really. The only problem is, with the wind continually changing direction you know that you’ll be shifting it all back again within a few hours. Hopefully during the race itself the wind will be more consistent.”
“Probably be much stronger too,” was Dexter’s only comment as he picked up Polly’s sail-bag ready to go ashore.
That afternoon Polly and Dexter loaded and packed provisions into Clotted Cream’s hold with an easy familiarity. As they walked tiredly back to the house Polly turned to Dexter.
“Thanks a lot for your help. I really appreciate it.”
Dexter glanced at her before replying.
“I gather from Tom that your boyfriend is worried about you doing this trip?”
Polly shrugged.
“Mum’s worried too. But she hasn’t said I shouldn’t.”
“And he has?”
Polly just pulled a face and didn’t answer.
“Are you and he engaged?” he persisted.
“No.” Polly shook her head. She didn’t feel the need to tell Dexter about the ring box hidden in her drawer - or about the doubts she was having over her feelings for Sebastian.
She’d enough to think about right now.
The next twenty-four hours were busy ones. Everybody in the boatyard and marina was roped in
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