‘Me? Why?’
‘Ah, you’d have to ask him that. But if I had to guess, I’d say it was something to do with replacement theory and projection.’ Aleksey frowned as he translated this. Harry shook his head fondly at the expression of confusion. ‘I think you have replaced me in his affections, and so if you found out about me—what I did—he fears you will like him less.’
Aleksey made an immediate scoffing sound and was about to retortI don’t like him at all anyway, but realised just how foolish this pretence actually was. ‘What did you do?’
Harry smiled. ‘How long have you got?’
‘As long as you need.’
Harry thought for a moment then admitted simply, ‘I cheated. There, that didn’t take as long as it’s always taken in my head to admit.’
The old man seemed about to disappear into his sad memories, so Aleksey prompted, ‘On your impossible voyage?’
Harry roused. ‘Yes. I was aiming to beat Sir Francis’s record: two hundred and twenty-six days. Can you imagine such hubris? He was a true Englishman, and the world will not see his like again. But I tried. And I failed. And I was content to have tried. I was approaching Cape Horn—knew I was behind time. Was going to radio in my location, but then a storm hit us. And I lost Salty.’ He pursed his lips, and Aleksey knew without a doubt the old man was remembering waves sweeping the deck and the dog being carried helpless into the raging sea. ‘Well, it was all many years ago, but I don’t mind admitting my heart and my spirit broke. I started to fancy that the storm and the waves were…alive, coming after me personally. I couldn’t sleep, but when I closed my eyes, I thought I could hear Salty crying out for me.’ He coughed and began peeling off some of the batter around the fish and tossing it to a few gulls which had gathered expectantly on the river.
‘A great deal of pressure falls on a man alone in a boat. The sea shows no mercy. Everything I thought I was, proved to be nothing more than a conceit. I was a coward, and so when I made my next radio check, I became a cheat as well. I started sending back false reports of my locations. It worked for a while; I made it appear that I was ahead of time and was about to crack Chichester’s record, but some people became suspicious of my claims, and it was starting to be discussed in all the important places. Of course, the whole country was following my progress.’
‘Yes, I remember. I was in Moscow. I had sailed as a boy, and so I had my staff buy me an English newspaper every day so I could follow your route.’
Harry nodded sadly. ‘Yes, Michael and his whole school were involved—plotting the attempt daily on a huge map they had up in Norwood Hall. He was the senior prefect, and very much looked up to by all the boys in his house. Marlborough was just the sort of school which encouraged—’
‘The moron went to…?’
Harry laughed softly, possibly at the nickname, or at Aleksey’s disbelief. ‘He did. He’s extremely bright, although I admit it does appear as if he’s had a bit of a knock on the old noggin at some time since he was a lad. He was in his last year, taking his A Levels—had just passed his Admiralty Interview Board and was all set for a fine career in the navy. Would have started at Dartmouth the month I was due to return. But it was all ruined for him, of course.’
‘What happened?’
‘When I realised what was being said—the suspicion, the rumours that I was cheating, I knew that I couldn’t come home—that my death was better for Michael than that. I just waited until I came to landfall, and then I abandonedPetreland that was that. Commodore Henry Staveley-Bathurst lost at sea. And it was the right thing to do. All the suspicion turned to sympathy. The navy embraced my family and looked after them. They even helped Michael put a plaque in commemoration for me at Hartland Quay. My wife, Helen, married again, a chap with a daughter a few years younger than Michael, and Michael took his name: Heathcote. But he cut all his ties with the navy. Turned his back on the sea entirely. Went in the army, so he tells me. Bit of a come down from the senior service, obviously. Although I believe it was something very elite—apparently if he told me, he’d have to shred me.’ His eyes twinkled, remembering the joke, and Aleksey’s heart ached at the deep well of affection that had clearly once existed between this father and son.
Harry watched the squabbling gulls for a moment then added sadly, ‘He would have made captain by now, well on his way to becoming an admiral—like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him.’
‘And he had no idea you were still alive? All this time?’
‘Oh, no. I couldn’t do that to my wife—she’s happy with her new life. Who would have thought he’d decide to work with homeless veterans and then meet me again doing the same thing? I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t recognise him. There is a big difference between a schoolboy of seventeen and man of thirty-eight. He knew me right away, of course.’
Aleksey glanced sharply at him, at a slight wobble in the old man’s voice, but Harry quickly schooled his expression. ‘It’s best this way, son. Don’t feel sorry for me. Never that. I cheated. There’s nothing lower in this life than a man who lies and cheats. Absolutely the worst kind of chap—you can’t have men like that in the wardroom. Let’s the side down.’
Aleksey pursed his lips. ‘All men can find redemption.’
‘If they are offered it through God’s good graces, then yes. But I think they must be a very select few—those who He knows truly deserve it.’
‘You saved my family.’
Harry’s brow scrunched in puzzlement. ‘You’ve already thanked me for that—and you are very welcome, any time.’
‘No, I wasn’t thanking you again; I was pointing out that you have now balanced the scales—tipped them far over to the other side. You may have ruined your family’s happiness, but what you did that day helped save the entire world.’
Harry finished feeding the little dog the last few morsels of his lunch, and carefully wrapped up the remaining chips. ‘These will make a tasty supper later. When we find somewhere for tonight, hey Snodders?’
‘Yes, about that.’ Now was the moment. ‘That is the reason I came here today. I think I know of a place that might suit you.’
Harry started packing his knapsack cheerfully. ‘Glad of any suggestions, son. But I’d like somewhere where I can keep my little dinghy—it brings back memories of the old days. When things were…right.’
Aleksey smiled. ‘Would an island work for you then? And for Snodgrass, obviously.’
* * *
Chapter Thirty-Six
