‘They’d better get a move on before they’re blown away.’
Ned turned to Morgan. ‘I hope they are. The boat rescue crew are helping the local fire brigade and police as there is a sickness bug sweeping through the emergency services. We can’t have the boat recuse crew traipsing around the countryside looking for lost hikers when high winds like we’ve been having lately put the safety of all sail and fishing boats in jeopardy.’
Morgan grimaced. ‘I never knew they did that too.’
‘All emergency services help each other out in desperate times around here.’ Morgan nodded. ‘Anyway, back to your party. Is there anything you need me to do?’
Morgan smiled. ‘Just attend.’
Chapter eleven
With a smile reaching from ear-to-ear, Morgan slowly climbed the stairs. She was tired after staying behind to help clear up the bar with Oliver and Pippa. They’d had a really busy night without their barmaid Leanne’s help as she had caring duties with a family member.
But her weariness couldn’t keep the happy glow she was feeling away. It showed as a serene smile on her lips. She'd truly had a wonderful evening with Ned and had come to know so much more about him. She stopped absentmindedly on the third step, usually it was the seventh one she took a breather on, holding onto the rail to catch her breath, but tonight, her mind was busy replaying the evening she’d shared with Ned.
Her mouth quirked up.Wasit a date? She continued slowly up the stairs. She hated having to climb them with her cane, but at least using them daily kept her mobile and agile, she wasn’t ready to throw in the towel on her body just yet.
Brett was already up there, sitting at the table, his head cocked to one side, listening intently to a local news and weather forecasting channel run by one of the residents of Seagull Bay.
‘It’s a bit late to be listening to that isn’t it? You’ll be going to bed soon. Want a hot chocolate? I’m going to make one for myself.’
He looked up at her and nodded. ‘Yes please. I think I’ll be up a while. They’re saying we’re in for another stormy night, right through until tomorrow.’
Morgan stopped at the hallway leading to the kitchen. ‘You haven’t stayed up listening to that channel in years Brett. Why tonight?’
‘I was talking to a couple of the fishermen this afternoon and they said they weren’t happy about the unpredictability of the weather lately, but being self-employed, they still had to go out.’
Morgan grimaced. ‘That’s awful, and especially knowing the sea rescue crew is short staffed as well with the sickness bug that has swept through all the emergency services, taking out half their employees.’
Morgan headed into the kitchen to make the hot chocolates. She was so glad her nephew Nile hadn’t been drawn to the sea to make a living, although him being in the army was bad enough and still unsettled her.
Her thoughts turned to Ned. At least he would be safe from the dangers at sea now he was retired. Adding a tot of Baileys to her hot chocolate, she hoped it would help her sleep through the oncoming storm. She’d had a few sleepless nights this week and with the excitement and pressure of the upcoming party, she could really do with uninterrupted sleep tonight.
Morgan set a mug of chocolate down on the table in front of Brett. ‘There you go love. I’ll take mine to bed with me. Don’t stay up too late. If you feel yourself dozing off, get yourself to bed. You’ll be an ice cube come morning if you sleep in here all night.’
Brett nodded. ‘I will sis. Goodnight.’
‘Night love.’
‘MORGAN! MORGAN!’
Morgan felt her body rocking from side-to-side. ‘Wh-what time is it? Did I oversleep?’
Morgan peeled her eyelids open. They felt gritty, as if she’d only been in bed for a couple of hours.
‘It’s early. I just heard the Blue Moon is in trouble.’
Morgan wiped her eyes. The Blue Moon was a small fishing boat owned by a father and his son, a small independent fishing crew. Morgan’s stomach pinched. She’d known them both for years, and as far as she was aware, they also employed two other fishermen now as well.
‘Oh no.’
‘And I just heard on the channel that the lifeboat crew have just called for all recently retired rescuers to help out with the search and rescue.’
Morgan shot up in bed. ‘Ned.’ Her heart rate accelerated.
Brett nodded. ‘That’s what I was thinking. I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer his house phone or his mobile.’
‘Maybe he’s fast asleep. You did say it’s the middle of the night, right?’
