She shrugged. ‘I had to sell everything. Including my car,’ she lied.
‘Shitting hell.’ He patted his hands on his head, making Ros step back a fraction. ‘Come on, think,’ he said. He spun around to stare at Darla and Ros. ‘Where can I get my hands on money quickly?’
‘No idea,’ said Darla.
Ros was pouting.
‘What?’ said Patrick. ‘Have you got a suggestion?’
Ros very slowly shook her head. ‘No.’
Patrick paused and then he started to laugh. He splayed out his arms and banged his knuckle on the mast post in the centre of the saloon. ‘Shit, that hurt. How much is this worth? This boat? What’s it worth?’
‘No clue,’ said Darla. ‘Oh no, Patrick,’ she added as realisation dawned on her. ‘This is my job. I’ll get the sack.’ She plonked herself down on the luxury leather seating. ‘I’m not going anywhere. I’ll not let you steal this.’
‘You don’t have to go anywhere. Just give me the keys.’
‘No way.’
Patrick walked towards her with his palm outstretched. But something caught his eye and he reversed back. ‘What’s this then?’ he asked, picking up the boat keys. ‘Where do you start this baby up?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘I spotted two big steering wheels up top, so probably up there,’ he said, looking pleased with himself.
‘You need to leave now before we start screaming and people come running,’ said Darla.
‘There wasn’t a soul about so scream away, and I’ll have your mobiles please.’
‘No,’ said Ros.
‘Give me your bloody phones,’ he snapped and Darla jumped. She’d not seen him like this before. He was an idiot for sure, but he wasn’t a nasty bastard, or at least that was what she’d thought. But then if he really was in danger, that sort of pressure did strange things to people.
‘Here,’ she said, taking Ros’s phone and handing both phones to him. ‘There’s no need to get nasty.’
‘You’re right. Just do what I say and it’ll all be good. Up on deck please,’ he said, ushering them up the steps.
‘Now where is the ignition?’ he said, partly to himself as he looked about. He found where the key went and was gleeful when the boat’s engine started.
‘What the hell does he think he’s doing?’ Darla whis-pered. She was furious.
‘He’s stealing the yacht,’ said Ros. ‘With us on it,’ she added.
‘Not on my watch,’ said Darla, going after Patrick. She found him frantically trying to release the mooring ropes.
‘Give us a hand will you?’ he asked, sweat gleaming on his brow.
‘Patrick, this is madness. I’m not going to help you steal the boat. You need to calm down and think straight.’
‘Darla, this is a genius idea. One of my better ones. I need money and I need to get away. This is two birds in one bush.’
Ros called from the back of the boat. ‘It’s either two birds with one stone or a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.’
‘What the hell is she on?’ asked Patrick, finally tugging the line free and throwing it onto the deck.
‘Ros likes things to be right. And it’s a good trait,’ she said, following him around the yacht. ‘Patrick, stealing a boat is a very bad idea. Please stop.’
‘I can’t!’ His voice was almost a shout as he threw his arms up in exasperation. ‘I owe money to lots of people and now it turns out some of them are the wrong sorts of people.’ He scratched his head. ‘I don’t want to get you and your weird mate into trouble so why don’t you get off and say I overpowered you both?’ He grinned at her like it was the best idea ever.
