Read Online Safe Harbour by Marita Conlon-Mckenna - Free Book Online Page B

took off their shoes and socks and waded into the water. The shifting shale and stones hurt their feet, making them wince with pain, and the freezing water swirled around their ankles, sending jabs of ice into their veins. Still, they hopped up and down with excitement, shouting, ‘Ouch! Ouch!’ as they paddled about.
    The strand was deserted except for two fishermen wearing protective rain-clothes and funny tweed hats, whosat on two small stools holding their huge, tall rods, the lines cast far into the sea, as they waited patiently for a bite.
    Sophie and Hugh watched and waited for ages, then, eventually bored, moved on. They used Hugh’s socks to knock the stinging sand off their feet and dry them before putting their shoes back on.
    They crossed under a railway bridge, and seeing shops in the distance, headed for the town. There was a white-painted library, with a big notice about the opening times, and Sophie hoped that Grandfather would agree to let her join it, as he was unlikely to have many books that a girl her age might read back in the house.
    They rambled past the window displays and the enticing bustle of shopkeepers and customers. Today was a day for exploring, not for hanging around listening to local chit-chat and shop gossip, though the people seemed friendly, and a few of them smiled at the children.
    Suddenly they heard a familiar clip-clop sound behind them in the street and they turned to see Mr Devins. He had two old ladies in the pony and trap and they drew up outside the station. He helped them down, then carried their luggage inside.
    Sophie and Hugh were delighted to see a familiar face and decided to wait for him.
    ‘Well! Well! If it isn’t the two little war orphans!’ he boomed out across the street.
    ‘Mr Devins!’ Sophie interrupted him crossly, ‘we are not orphans!’
    ‘I know that, Miss Fitzpatrick,’ he apologised, ‘it’s more a figure of speech, a slip of the tongue. Now, tell me honestly, how are you both settling in? The professor hasn’t starved you, or beaten you yet?’
    ‘Honestly, Mr Devins!’ protested Sophie, ‘our grandfather would never do such a thing, he’s a …’ she stopped, realising that she was defending a grandfather she barely knew.
    Mr Devins was chuckling away to himself. ‘Don’t be getting yourself in a tizzy, lass, I was only pulling your leg. People around here have a lot of respect for the professor, a mighty lot of respect.’
    Hugh, sensing his sister’s embarrassment, decided to take a hand in the conversation. ‘We went for a paddle on the South Beach! It was freezing cold.’
    ‘Aye!’ grunted Mr Devins. ‘Best to wait till summer comes when there’s donkeys and all on the beach. You’ll be able to swim every day. Do you like swimming, the pair of you?’
    Sophie pasted a bright, lying smile across her lips, and opened her brown eyes wide. She wasn’t going to admit that neither she nor Hugh could swim a stroke. They had only ever been to the seaside twice before when she was younger – other than that there had just been the odd day-trip to Brighton. There had never been enough money for holidays. Her father could swim – any wonder, she thought, growing up in a place like this? He had promised that some day he would teach them, but it had never happened and Sophie was beginning to doubt that it ever would.
    ‘Well, where are you two off to now?’ Mr Devins asked.
    ‘We were thinking of going down to the harbour,’ she replied.
    ‘Let you hop in then! I’m heading down that way myself.’
    ‘Are you sure?’
    ‘Lassie, I wouldn’t offer otherwise. I’m going home for an hour, then I’ve to bring someone from Windgates into Bray. Funny old thing, this emergency! What with petrol being rationed, me and old Sheba are doing great business,’ he confided.
    The trap tilted and dipped as they stepped in, then off they trotted. Mr Devins gave them a running commentary on each house they passed, telling them who lived