Chapter29
‘Aye, aye, Cap’n.’ Conor high-fived Billy as he arrived at the Hartmouth ferry quay to start their day.
‘Thanks for coming early, mate.’
‘Nah, it’s grand. I was home alone last night, so got some sleep. And will you just look at that sunrise.’
Billy nodded, then went on, ‘Joe liked to jet-wash the float down at least once a month and it certainly needs doing today.’
The winter sun, like a fiery orb, was just raising its head where the estuary met the sea over the craggy cliffs towards Hartmouth Head. The sky was a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges and yellows, a colourful backdrop to the dark silhouettes of seabirds soaring over the still grey sea below, looking out for their fishy breakfast. The low tide caused little waves to lap gently against the quay wall. The silence of early morning offered a peace and stillness that was unavailable later in the day.
‘Going to be a bright day, I reckon. I can deal with the cold, if it’s sunny,’ Billy said, his words coming out in clouds.
‘You sound like a proper old sea dog.’
Billy laughed. ‘Less of the old, mate. I’ve got ten years on you, haven’t I?’
‘Ha, don’t rub it in. I need to get exercising again. Me and Star seem to be eating our way through life at the moment.’
‘Eating, you say?’ Billy grinned, making Conor smirk. ‘Kara made us some bacon rolls up, fancy one before we get going?’
Billy pulled out the old fold-up red chairs that had been in the tug for decades and set them up on the float. As they sat clasping their coffees with gloved hands, the young ferryman cleared his throat. ‘It’s been quite a week, turns out my brother’s gay.’
‘No big deal there, though, is it?’
‘Nah I guess not, but for some reason Daz wanted me to tell you as we are all working together.’
‘How did your folks take it?’
‘Mum was fine, but Dad has taken it hard. He’s such a man’s man and he can’t get his head around the news. This is crippling Daz. It took so much courage for him to come out to them. The atmosphere has been so bad on the fruit and veg stall that he’s quit and is going to be doing more shifts on here. He can manoeuvre the tug and you can stay out on the float. Gives me a break, so I’m all for that.’
‘Your Da’ll come round. Your family seem tight.’
‘I hope so.’
‘And I don’t mind what I do on here. I’m just happy to be working. In fact, life is pretty good all round at the moment.’
‘Star’s a great girl, isn’t she?’
‘Yeah, she is. I’m not sure where we’re heading but I do like her a lot.’
They ate in silence until a huge seagull swooped down to try and steal the last bit of roll out of Conor’s hand.
‘Jesus, they scare the life out of me, so they do.’
Billy was amused, then remembered: ‘There’s something else I meant to say. Me and Kara are away next weekend,so you and Daz are in charge, if you don’t mind. Joe said it would do the pair of you good to do a few runs on your own.’
‘No problem. Going anywhere nice?’
‘Yeah, we decided on Prague, plenty of good beers there and Kara is so excited about seeing the Christmas markets. You’d have thought she’d want to get away from them, being stuck in one all week. Anyway, I can’t wait.’
‘Nice one.’
‘We’ve got a bloke booked into our place in the Airbnb room too. Star will go in and feed the cat, but again, just in case he’s a weirdo, keep an eye and ear out, can you? We lock our bedroom, but you never know.’
‘Good bit of extra cash coming in, I get it. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure my presence is felt if needs be.’
‘I know what I meant to ask you,’ Billy added suddenly. ‘Have you any idea how long you will be staying down here in Hartmouth?’
‘Well, I see no point in leaving, if that’s a good enough answer for now.’
‘Course it is and I’m sure Star will be delighted.’
The big Irishman shrugged. ‘She’s a woman. Who knows what’s going through her pretty mind.’
They both laughed. Screwing the lid on his Thermos flask, Billy stood up. ‘Right, we’d better get moving. This deck ain’t gonna clean itself.’
