Then she thought about the dream of her sister, Marie. She’d showed her how empty her life was. She was existing, but she wasn’t living.
Mithered, Morgan fell into a restless sleep. One filled with storms, sinking ships, and ghosts from the past.
Chapter twelve
Morgan could feel a soft nudge in her shoulder, over and over. ‘Morgan. What are you doing sleeping out here? You left the radio on as well. I’ve just turned it off. Shall I put the kettle on?’
She blinked her eyes open and stared into Brett’s concerned face. Last night’s events came hurtling back to the forefront of her mind. ‘The Blue Moon! The coastal rescue crew—Ned!’
Brett's eyebrows drew together. ‘What? What are you talking about Morgan?’
Morgan reached out and grabbed hold of Brett’s hands. ‘Last night the Blue Moon was missing, and the search and rescue team went out searching for it. Ned was part of the crew.’
Morgan watched as realisation washed over Brett’s features. ‘Oh my goodness, Yes. We went down to see the launch, didn’t we? I remember now. What happened? Did they find them Morgan?’
Morgan shook her head slowly and lifted her shoulders, dropping them heavily. ‘I don’t know Brett. Quick, put the radio back on. Let’s see if there’s an update.’
She eased herself forward in the chair and rubbed at the back of her neck trying to ease out the kinks. She felt as though she’d gone ten rounds with a prize-fighter. Reaching her hand out she motioned for Brett to come back over to her. ‘Help me up love. I think my joints have seized up.’ Brett took a hold of Morgan’s hands and hoisted her up. ‘Oo-ah. I feel about one hundred years old.’
‘I’m not surprised sleeping in an armchair. You’ve done precisely what you always warn me not to do.’
Morgan rolled her shoulders backwards. ‘I know, but it was for a good reason.’ She leaned onto the table and turned up the volume, but the channel they were listening to last night just gave out a static crackle noise.
‘What’s happened? Why’s it doing that Brett?’
‘It must be off air. If the broadcaster was up all night, he’s most likely asleep now.’
Morgan turned around on her cane and headed for the window. She placed her cheek against the windowpane, it was cold to the touch and her warm breath instantly clouded it as she tried to see the small lifeboat rescue building now it was lighter. ‘I can just see the edge of the coastal lifeboat rescue building, but I think the doors are closed. I-I can’t see whether the boat is back or not Brett.’
‘I’ll call Ned’s mobile.’
Morgan turned around to face Brett, eyes brightening as she nodded. ‘Yes-yes, good idea. Call Ned.’
Brett nodded and headed for his bedroom, Morgan followed slowly, still trying to rid her limbs of stiffness brought on from a night sleeping in the armchair. She hovered at the threshold of his bedroom door whilst Brett retrieved his mobile, bringing it over to where Morgan was standing. She watched him slowly flip through the screens and tried to rein in her impatience. Brett was slow using a mobile phone, but she was no faster than him.
Finally, he found Ned’s name and hit dial, lifting the phone to the side of his head. Morgan held her breath, listing to the almost silent ring tone coming from Brett’s phone as Brett pushed the phone into his ear. After a few rings, Morgan could just hear Ned’s voice, and her heart skipped a beat, until she realised it was his answerphone message. Her stomach pinched.
Brett pulled the phone away from his ear and ended the call without leaving a message. He looked at Morgan. ‘He’s either sleeping...or they’re not back yet.’
Morgan gasped, her palms suddenly becoming clammy. ‘We must hurry, get dressed, and go down to the seafront to the launch slope to see with our own eyes.’
Brett nodded. ‘Okay. Give me ten minutes.’
Morgan leaned heavily on her cane. ‘Actually Brett, I might need twenty.’
He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. ‘No worries love. We’ll go when we’re both ready. A few extra minutes won’t make any difference to the outcome. I'll make us a quick brew.’
Morgan opened her mouth to protest to the cup of tea, but sighed and nodded, glad one of them at least wasn’t letting their emotions take over common sense.
THE STORMY WEATHERfrom last night was completely gone. Now, not even a wisp of a breeze could be felt as Morgan and Brett headed for the seafront. The sky was still grey all but for the odd white cloud, but now the storm had dissipated, it promised a hint of something better.
The bay was unusually quiet as they headed towards the seafront, even the constant squark of the seagulls appeared to be subdued in contrast to how noisy they usually were.
‘Where is everyone?’ asked Brett. ‘We’ve normally passed at least half-a-dozen people by now.’
Morgan squeezed his arm reassuringly. ‘They’re probably in the city. No one has had a chance to do a thing for days with the strong winds.’
‘Yes, I dare say you’re right. I’ve not even ventured out to buy cake from Tammy’s Tearoom for a couple of days.’
