tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82636154425652292432024-03-09T18:45:29.462-08:00Rolf and RangerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-12187476281450049382016-10-06T17:37:00.000-07:002016-10-06T21:09:42.119-07:00Paget Creek<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Paget Creek</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Author's: Note: For those of you that don't like to read out of sequence, or back stories, or </span></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">works in progress, need not read. For those of you that are ready, please enjoy</span></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWApj4RVuE8Rj7CvYex4bgrDacugZCEzMdHFuf22zHjOsi_zlGyMTifJYGOopntleju21Ol7h7CXO9e1KZTvOE6GzmhZ74ovqhuAuTt35Hx7EcURSOUzRnf_DPU2CxPiZxeYH-fN472Zqz/s1600/family_ties-755x551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWApj4RVuE8Rj7CvYex4bgrDacugZCEzMdHFuf22zHjOsi_zlGyMTifJYGOopntleju21Ol7h7CXO9e1KZTvOE6GzmhZ74ovqhuAuTt35Hx7EcURSOUzRnf_DPU2CxPiZxeYH-fN472Zqz/s400/family_ties-755x551.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://fchextras.blogspot.com/2010/06/paget-creek.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Chapter 1</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://fchextras.blogspot.com/2015/09/paget-creek-chapter-2.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Chapter 2</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://fchextras.blogspot.com/2016/10/paget-creek-chapter-3.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Chapter 3</span></a></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-90070468715877038812016-10-05T17:05:00.000-07:002016-10-05T17:05:11.885-07:00Unspoken<div class="Body">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_S1TXmuLvOu3I-gwriHy_oBdPcAbaGff-lFnO-epC3KaAZJGoXw6co0CeSRPXwdlFQWgOw0y7q5E191wWHS6ak1OK13KaDGUDCb2-YcmGXaEF-aXl82xSp8LtRvE8IbQrnpzy8KHxU7v/s1600/Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_S1TXmuLvOu3I-gwriHy_oBdPcAbaGff-lFnO-epC3KaAZJGoXw6co0CeSRPXwdlFQWgOw0y7q5E191wWHS6ak1OK13KaDGUDCb2-YcmGXaEF-aXl82xSp8LtRvE8IbQrnpzy8KHxU7v/s400/Home.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unspoken</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by Ranger</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There
are just those days that are doomed from the first moment your eyes open.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
was a Sunday, and I actually like Sundays. In the usual way once I surfaced I’d
leave Damien peacefully sprawled over his pillow, his arms wrapped around it
and his broad shoulders spread in the way that shows ALL the right muscles,
tell him to hold that thought and go downstairs to feed the cat, make a tray of
tea and biscuits, bring it back upstairs and…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes,
you get the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
morning I was woken by Anastasia, who only ever wakes me when she wants
feeding. I ignored her as long as I could. She wasn’t actually doing anything
other than sitting beside the bed, staring at me with her green eyes wide. I
turned over, curled up closer to Damien and tried to sink back into an it’s-Sunday-so-who-cares-when
we-get- up kind of doze.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cats
can stare incredibly loudly and penetratingly. Even with my eyes closed all I
could feel was Stare.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go
away cat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 12pt;">Stare.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Arg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anastasia
got up onto the bed and sniffed in my ear. Her whiskers tickle like all hell
when she does that. I crunched automatically to get away from it and pushed her
gently towards the end of the bed. Reassured that she was making progress, she
marched right back up it again, purring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok,
chalk up round one to the cat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Muttering,
I slid out from under the duvet and padded downstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She
had of course been sick on the second step from the bottom, which is just so
nice when you stand in it in your bare feet. Muttering still more, I washed my
feet, fed her, with a few imprecations about her manners, cleaned up the stairs
and opened the back door. It was going to be one of those English Summer
Sundays. The kind where it’s bright and sunny and perfect, except for the
howling gale which ensures taking a step outside is going to be thoroughly
unpleasant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
could already feel it was going to be one of those days. I’d been awake five
minutes and my nerves were already running like a buzz saw, chewing up
everything I felt or saw until it had sharp edges and irritated me still
further. Had Damien woken then, it actually might have brought things back on
course. He would have made tea, insisted I came back to bed- and fooling around with Damien on a lazy
Sunday morning is just not compatible with bad temper. However he didn’t wake,
which added to the reasons I was fed up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
made one mug of tea, took it into the lounge and discovered that we hadn’t
moved our coffee cups from last night when we went to bed, and that Damien had
thoughtlessly put his down on the glass instead of a coaster. From which it was
perfectly clear which of us did the most cleaning around here, while the other
did his I Am The Architect thing and left the secretaries to worry about the
mundanities like coffee mugs. I tried for several minutes to drink tea from an
armchair while that coffee ring nagged at me. It was no good. I stamped into
the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of pledge and a duster, and spent a good five
minutes polishing the entire damn table, since once I started I might as well
do the whole thing. And from there naturally all I could see was bloody dust,
since the sunlight streaming through the windows lit it all up. Every damn
thing in the room was plastered, just as if I hadn’t cleaned the entire house
just two days ago. That was it. The gremlins had me in earnest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
had polished the entire lounge and had the hoover running a quarter of an hour
later, still bare foot and in t shirt and shorts which was my one concession to
summer and Damien’s teasing about my fixation with pyjamas. Damien came
downstairs heavy eyed and tousle haired, gave me a sleepy smile and I saw him
clock the glare he got. I swear too I saw him switch gears from ‘good morning,
come back to bed’ to ‘</span><span lang="DA" style="font-size: 12pt;">oh God, he</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">’s in one of <i>those</i></span><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 12pt;"> moods</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">’. At least he edged around the wall past me, got
out of my way and disappeared into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lounge
and hall hoovered, I followed him in time to discover he’d simply stacked the
used coffee cups in the sink instead of washing them like anyone else would do,
and had left both the cereal box and the milk out on the counter from the bowl
he’d filled and was munching through at the table. He put out a hand and patted
me somewhere personal as a friendly approach to hello. Or at least I’m prepared
to believe that was how he intended it. He got a Hands Off or I’ll Bite look in
return. I slammed the fridge door open, shoved the milk inside and pointedly
slammed the door shut again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’m
making tea.” Damien pointed out reasonably behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fine.
I’m not stopping you. Get the milk out of the fridge as you need it and stop
making a mess while I’m cleaning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
said none of it. Just grabbed the bottle of Flash and a sponge out of from
under the sink, letting the cupboard door bang shut which satisfied some of my
temper, and headed upstairs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He’d
left the CD player on playing Queen, which I was not about to take on an empty
stomach at this time in the morning, and he hadn’t bothered to make the bed. I
dumped the flash down on the dressing table, snapped off Queen and started to
straighten out sheets. I was about half way through when he came to help,
taking the other side of the duvet and shaking it neat with one effortless tug
that made my yanking about look a complete waste of time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“What’s
this about?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You
might have made the bed.” I snapped at him, walloping the pillows and dropping
them into place. Damien sat down on the end of the bed and reached for me.
Which didn’t work, since I saw him coming and moved out of his way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go
cuddle the cat, Mitchell. I want a fight, not a hug.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’ve
only been awake ten minutes.” Damien said reasonably. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">”Yes
well I’ve been awake an hour and cleaning up the mess left in the lounge last
night.” I informed him. Damien looked blank.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“What
mess?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Coffee.”
I said shortly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Two
cups…..”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And
a coffee ring. We have coasters. If you go nuts over my leaving shoes anywhere
but in the wardrobe, I can insist you use a coaster.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">”Ok,
I’ll use a coaster.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fine.
Agree with me in that peaceable tone if you think it’s going to help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Livid
I stalked past him and he leaned over and confiscated the sponge and the Flash
from my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Hey.
Come downstairs, have some breakfast and cool down. There’s no need for this
stamping around.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stamping
around. I gave him a look that should
make it very clear what I felt about accusing me of stamping as if I was an
overtired five year old, grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom to get
dressed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
was downstairs and finishing his cereal when I came down, and the sink was
still full of cups. Which was typical.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Leave
them and I’</span><span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12pt;">ll do it.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">” Damien said behind me as I stalked over, radiating
what I hoped was a loud, clear, Yes the Slave of the World Will Sort It Out
while You Eat Breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
turned the tap on full blast, aggravated still further by the splashing of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m
just in a mood Damien, deal with it. Shut up, get out of the way and leave me
alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Nicky.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">”What?”
I slammed the cups into the bowl. Nothing broke. The way I felt, I would almost
have been pleased if one did.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Calm
down. Or I’ll calm you down.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
whacked the cups down on the draining board, trying not to laugh. Yes. He’ll
hold aloft his magic sword, by the Power of Greyskull – cup dried, I opened the
cupboard door and banged the cup down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicholas</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">….” Damien said in that drawn out, dry way that
means Be Warned. I flung the cupboard door shut and grabbed up the next two
mugs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Look,
just leave me alone this morning. I’m not in the mood.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Do
you need a spanking?” Damien asked, unmoved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That
has to go down as one of the most stupid questions in history. Duh. Yes
darling, like a hole in the head. That is really going to improve the
situation. Do I look right now as though I need a spanking?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Because
that’s the way you’re looking right now.” Damien went on, apparently via ESP.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
banged the cups into the cupboard with a firmness meant to imply to him that if
he tried laying a hand on me he’d better be ready to lose a couple of fingers.
He did not have divine right over my moods, whatever he might think.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I
am not doing anything I shouldn’t. I am in a bad mood. It happens. It is not
illegal.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">”</span><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 12pt;">Fine. Stop slamming.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
clearly wasn’t listening to a word I was saying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">”They’re
my cupboards as much as yours.” I pointed out to him, slamming another one for
good measure to illustrate. “I’m not ending the world by slamming them. I’m not
breaking anything, and I will slam them if I want to –“<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Right.”
Damien said matter of factly, getting up from the table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
should have seen it coming. His hand snagged my wrist, I turned around and saw
him pull a kitchen chair out and plonk it squarely in the middle of the kitchen
floor. That had overtones so sinister I stared at him in outrage. And then
twisted, doing everything in my power to get my wrist out of his grip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t
you dare - </span><i><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 12pt;">Damien-</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
is a lot bigger than I am, muscle wise as well as height, and he spent years
playing rugby. One swift yank brought me crashing against his chest, his arm
scooped me off the ground with infuriating ease and despite struggling with all
the strength I had, he still sat down in that chair and pinned me across his
lap, wrapping one arm around my waist. I squirmed all I could, but that did not
change the fact that I was now bottom up over his knee, with the seat of my
jeans very inconveniently tight. Just how tight I realised a split second later
as his palm landed soundly across both cheeks with a sound like a gunshot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 12pt;">Damien!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">” I said several times, although it
might have been fractionally louder than that. “Mitchell get off! Let me go!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
said nothing at all but the next two slaps were harder still and very well
aimed, and even through denim they stung like hell. I kicked and squirmed and
moved not one inch off his lap or managed in any way to make myself less
vulnerable, and his hand continued to smack, moving unhurriedly from cheek to
cheek. I grabbed his shin with one hand and did my best to lever myself up or
even to get a hand behind me but he had too good a grip and all it took was a
shrug of the arm braced over my back to push my arm away. And about all I was
thinking was Ow. If not <i>OW</i>. And I still found myself facing the floor,
upper body and legs twisting frantically, my backside held perfectly stationary
and still being tanned. <i>How</i> did a man as gentle as Damien was – when not
being a pain in the neck – have a right hand that could feel this hard?!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span><i><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 12pt;">Damien</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, damnit that hurts!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
didn’t make the obvious comment. Probably as well; I wouldn’t have been
thrilled by it. I kicked and twisted and eventually clenched a fist and pounded
his shin, furious and not able to move an inch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 12pt;">Stop it! Damien!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
swat I got in return for that punch made me yell a lot more sincerely with
nothing else on my mind but OUCH. And it got repeated, several times and fast
on the lower slopes of my rear end, in a way that stole my breath and made me
wish I’d learn to get rid of my jeans when they started to wear thin. His hand
was still swatting rapidly without any sign of stopping or gentling, and I was
on fire and squirming frantically to try and get his palm away from the more
tender places at the top of my thighs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Damien
– ow, please, ok! I’ll tone it down! I was just fed up about the cat for Pete’s-
Damien no!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
wriggled a lot harder as he finally paused swatting, lifted my hips and his
hands slid underneath to unbutton my jeans. That was not necessary. And
seriously unwanted. I squirmed hard enough to make it difficult but he just
hooked an arm around my waist, unzipped the flies and his fingers slipped under
the waist band of jeans and briefs, pulling both down. And down to my knees,
which was still less of a good sign. Mid thigh would have been absolutely fine.
I’d already felt on fire but his hand on the bare stung one <i>hell</i> of a
lot more. And he wasn’t anywhere near done. Something he made plain as he once
more began to spank with those brisk sound swats, covering his ground
thoroughly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Damiiiiiiien……..I’m
sorry, I’ll stop – I won’t slam anything else I promise –“<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
was aware I was sounding a lot less assertive, but then I was rapidly feeling
anything <i>but</i> assertive. In fact I was starting to wonder why on earth I’d
been so incredibly mean or how it could possibly have seemed like a good idea
at the time, and the temper that had dominated everything like some large and
mean spirited troll was slipping away like sand through a sieve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’m
sorry – really I’m sorry, I’ll stop now-“<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
made no difference. I didn’t really expect it to, but then I never stop the forlorn
hope that it might. It’s easier to cling to than facing what I do know: that
avowals of behaving now won’t mean a thing and he isn’t going to stop until he’s
finished. His decision, not mine. And it isn’t going to be until he’s
absolutely sure I’m sorry, which is going to take more than promises.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
still promised. And yelped. And sniffled, and finally reached that awful point
of acquiescence. It’s somewhere I can’t go by myself, and somewhere I never
want to go, but somewhere I know I can trust him to take me whenever I need to
be there. I was incidentally perfectly willing to stop doing any slamming
around, the mood had fled in panic, and I was sorry for myself – which sounds
pitiful, but it actually wasn’t. It wasn’t abject surrender to him or to the
morals and ethics of anything; it wasn’t abject at all. It was reconnection. To
something which completely overwhelmed temper and bad moods and anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tears
which had been dripping from my eyes for several moments flooded up in earnest,
my chest seized and I was crying, properly and hard, without reservation or any
kind of need to hold it back. I could safely just let it all go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
had more than chased off the temper when he finally stopped spanking- beyond
any doubt, the mood was gone. Changed completely, and extinguished beyond
refuelling. I wasn’t angry at all. Pitiful, smarting, yes. I lay over his knees
for a moment more, limp and sobbing, then his arm came around my shoulders and
helped me up, and I turned, wanting only to get my arms around his neck. He
hugged me tightly, the crushing grip that makes me feel secure and surrounded,
and I slid into his lap irrespective of how much I was blazing behind or of
jeans still at half mast. For several moments we held each other, and I clung to
him, crying hard into his neck although not with any grief. This was not about
cupboard doors, or anything so petty; it was about him and me, and that was
all. I gradually calmed until I was relatively quiet and with my head turned on
his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Damien
stroked my back, not saying anything and letting me take my time. It was in the
end me who drew back first and looked at him, finding his face calm and
ruefully compassionate as he saw mine, which must have been a complete mess. I
gave him a rather shaky smile in return and he put a hand up to smooth my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“It’s
no good you being sympathetic now.” I told him. He kissed me gently and put me
on my feet, helping me ease jeans and pants up with care for the fact my
backside was sore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’</span><span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12pt;">m not.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’m
sorry.” I said, and meant it. Which is radically different from I’m sorry you’re
cross with me, or I’m sorry I got spanked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
let me go with a gentle pat where I was sorest, and I went to the sink and
picked up the dish towel I’d hurled there ten minutes ago – it felt like a
lifetime ago – and dried my face. His hands fell on my shoulders, massaging. I
should have been livid with him: my backside was hot enough to fry eggs on and
smarting like hell- but I wasn’t. For the first time today I felt one hell of a
lot better. Settled. Peaceful, if still sniffling. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“How
about,” he said in my ear, “We make a proper breakfast and go and have it in
the garden, hmm?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
bench out there is exactly the right size to cuddle on. Which right now was
what I felt like doing – less from wanting comfort than just wanting to be
close to him now the house was once more somewhere calm and we were in tune.
And I knew he wasn’t in the least annoyed with me any more than I was with him.
He knows me too well. I leaned my head back on his shoulder, kissed what I
could of his cheek and put the kettle on. Despite the howling gale outside, it
was going to be a beautiful day. </span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">~ The End ~</span></i></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Copyright 2016 Ranger</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-54174096727170809252016-10-05T16:40:00.000-07:002016-10-05T16:40:16.646-07:00Wiggle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljhxUuIyrE-NRvkGjVl_ODPLvbBeUYXXhrTLMSh7IwlwAHeLcdmMLDYgJUdikvU4H7AB8AbBlZEd3YlPzHgwNbRYgVJVlxbl1xbCua7GYMl1V9W9l3NkAAl-Ok2AvhkF8R3OBR0SbTmn1/s1600/sunday-755x566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljhxUuIyrE-NRvkGjVl_ODPLvbBeUYXXhrTLMSh7IwlwAHeLcdmMLDYgJUdikvU4H7AB8AbBlZEd3YlPzHgwNbRYgVJVlxbl1xbCua7GYMl1V9W9l3NkAAl-Ok2AvhkF8R3OBR0SbTmn1/s400/sunday-755x566.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Wiggle</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i>by Ranger</i></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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<td></td>
<td><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since
we’ve been working on the garden since we first moved in – and it was a well
established garden anyway, since it’s been being gardened since the mid 19th
Century - it looks pretty good. If you’re firm with it; which is a general area
of life that Damien is pretty good at.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
used to spend Saturdays on housework, or rather Damien did while dragging me in
his wake, but since the Thou Shalt Work Only Three Days Or Else decree, I’ve
got into the habit of doing the house myself on Fridays when I’m home all day.
Damien didn’t like that at first, and kept arguing that it was not about me
doing the house based work or that I needed to feel guilty about not working
full time when my body felt three was my maximum limit. And while there was an
element of that there at first, and I did need him to chase me out to read, or
draw or do things on those days that purely were for me or because I liked
doing them – the perspective changed over time. Now I do the house on Fridays
partly because I like having the time to do it at my own pace, and mostly
because it means that we get so much more of the weekends to ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
here we were. Saturday morning with time for gardening. The windows were thrown
wide all over the house to let in what was actually a very nice early summer
morning, all the housework was done, and so I was kneeling in a flower bed,
planting petunias while Damien heaved bags of compost through to the garden
from the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
I was rather enjoying the view. He does, when he’s out of his working week
suits and in a t shirt and jeans, have muscles which I could vulgarly say are
like a coal miner’s, and he was swinging those bags with just enough effort,
balancing them one at a time on his shoulder and carrying them across the lawn
to stack them by the flowerbeds, each one sliding from his shoulder with a thud
and a grunt of effort from him. It was undoubtedly making him flex in all the
right places. He was also getting warm under the sun, his hair was tousled as
it only ever gets on weekends and holidays when he’s alone with me and doesn’t
care how he looks, and he had that absorbed Mitchell on a Mission look. And
unlike me, who likes t shirts baggy and hanging down over my hips, he was
properly brought up to tuck his shirt in. Which means it was tight in all the
right places and currently gleaming white, although the way he was going it
wouldn’t stay like that for long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
no good you looking at me like that.” He informed me, dropping the fourth bag
of compost. “Start that and we’ll get nothing done at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”Looking
at you how?” I demanded innocently. Damien snorted at me and went for the next
bag. Which was fine until half way across the garden he caught my eye and
laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nicholas
stop it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stop
what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
threw the bag down and came over, closing both hands gently around my neck from
behind which tickles my collarbones like hell and always makes me crunch
helplessly. Kneeling in a flower bed during a wrestling match is a severe
disadvantage anyway. He won hands down, dropped a rough kiss on the top of my
head and jogged back for the next bag of compost. Man with a one track mind.
Unfortunately currently fixed on gardening. Well I could fix that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
put in the last petunia, brushed off my hands and got up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was struggling with the top bag of compost when he brought the last one over,
and being Damien, pulled a penknife out of his pocket, opened a blade and
produced a neat cut in the bag that was far more effective than my fingernail
gouges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where
do we want these?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
picked up a handful of the compost, crumbling it from one impacted chunk and
letting it trickle gently down through my fingers. Dark and heavily peat
scented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
don’t remember exactly – we had the new roses to bed in and those containers – and
enough to mulch the beds at the back-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
trickled another lot through my fingers, which I saw had caught his eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”Suppose
you mulch and I’ll put those roses in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
can’t shift those bags alone anyway. He cut, opened and poured several of the
bags, took a fork and began digging it into the more shaded beds, which also
worked the t shirt quite nicely and made his hair fall still further into his
eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well
two can play at that game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
kept my back to him while I dug out the holes for the roses and stretched
rather than crouched, bending forward to face the rose and shake out its roots
as I placed it. By the time I put the third one in, I could see he was watching
me and beginning to look distinctly thoughtful, in the same way he looks at
cricket when he’s next in to bat and is plotting what he’s going to do with the
bowler.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do
we want this one climbing here?” I called to him, shifting the pot so he could
see and keeping my back to him as I stooped, “Or do you think it would look
better going up between the Acers here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
dug the fork in and came over, and I moved to let him look, sliding a hand
casually into his back pocket as we stood side by side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Between
the Acers.” He said at last and his arm rested around my hips. “Then it’s got a
clear climb up the fence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”I’ll
tie it of course.” I let my fingers drum nonchalantly where they rested. Then
slipped away. “I saw the wire in the shed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
could feel his eyes on me as I walked away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ok,
I spent the next half being a complete – er – well. You get the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
kept my eyes off him, my back to him, and thoroughly enjoyed myself planting
those roses with all the bending and stretching I could fit into it. It was
when I started pouring peat into the containers that I knew I was starting to
get to him: I leaned past him for an empty planter, resting a hand on his knee
for balance, and that was it. He made a grab and I ducked it as if I hadn’t
seen, tugging my jeans straight and just a little bit tighter, and heading to
collect the next container.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do
you want the marigolds in the round tub or the long one?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Damn
the marigolds.” Damien said digging the fork into the ground and leaving it
there. “</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: DE;">Nicholas- </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”We
have to get on with the gardening.” I reminded him. “Hurry hurry. The weather
doesn’t last. We’ve got all evening to mess around in-“ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
yelped as he grabbed me and did something that would have got him arrested if
he tried it on the open street. And squirmed, wrestling his hands off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now
stop it. Think of the marigolds. They can’t be left half planted, and you’re
mulching.” I stopped for a moment and kissed him firmly. “Go and mulch.”</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
heard him growl behind me as I walked away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
mulched. I planted marigolds. He’d pulled his t shirt off now, and I sat cross
legged on the patio, did the same and heeled off trainers and socks to sit bare
foot where I could feel the warmth of the stone. I did nothing at all. Just
inoffensively planted marigolds. Which involved gently hollowing out soft
compost, gently placing the plant in, stretching over the container to seat it
just right- I could see why everyone loved Alan Titchmarsh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Damien
was mulching grimly with his eyes still on me in a way that made me feel as
though the jeans really weren’t very much protection. His head sits just a
little further forward when he starts getting wound up; his movements slow down
fractionally and become just a little more deliberate; I get that little bit
more aware that he’s actually a fair bit bigger than I am in breadth as well as
height, and it makes him look predatory. I’ve seen him in the mornings, still
dozing, draped over a pillow like a jaguar over a branch- if the man was an
animal he would most definitely be some species of big cat. And not the cuddly
kind either.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
crossed my ankles and stood up without using my hands; a somewhat childish
trick but something I do to prove I still can. And walked past him to get the
hose, hearing another snort from behind me.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nicholas,
wiggle that once more and you’ll get it-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<i><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: PT;">Yes darling?</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
gave him a blameless look and wrestled with the tap. Which I can’t help is only
a foot or so above ground level and involves reaching down. I heard the shove
of the fork go into the earth and the thud of him stepping down onto the grass,
and turned the hose on fast, turning to face him with it on spray and currently
aimed at the grass. He looked at me, I looked at him. He was half way across to
me, his hands earthed and held out from his sides, looking hot, bothered and
distinctly –</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmm.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
dare.” He told me. And took another step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
got the full fire of the hose in the chest, which produced a yelp and a duck
back with his arm shielding his face, but only for a second. This is Damien. He
dropped his hands and simply charged me irrespective of the hose, got it in one
hand and me in the other and hauled me off the ground so that he had me under
one arm, hanging and pretty much helpless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
were we watering?” he inquired. I squirmed, not able to move an inch or get a
purchase, and I was hanging onto the arm around me mostly since I didn’t feel
particularly stable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
splashed the hose in my direction, dropped it and carried me still under one
arm across to turn the tap off. I struggled, losing the battle with laughter as
he carried me across to the garden bench and took a seat. He had the advantage
to start with and in a tussle of flat out strength there isn’t much I can do.
He slung me face down over his knees and wrapped an arm around my hips to pin
me there, patting the seat of my jeans gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’ve
been asking for this all morning my boy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
know you really ought to re-read the manual.” I told him, squirming for a
purchase on his knee to lever up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Since
when did you come with instructions?” Damien demanded, pinning me where I was
with irritating lack of effort and shifting so that one elbow was planted
firmly in the middle of my back. “I know the instructions my lad, I wrote them.
One; never take your eyes away for a minute. Two; turn over your lap at regular
intervals-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
swatted, smartly but not enough to sting. I yelped and he rubbed the place, at
least relatively soothingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Three,
keep firmly under control at all times –“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”I’ll
make you lunch if you let me up.” I coaxed, trying to stop laughing. He hadn’t
yet cracked, although I could hear it in his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nope.
That doesn’t work for another two hours at least; it’s just past ten now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”Mid
morning coffee then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Face
it,” He told me, still stroking my rump through my jeans, “You’ve had your
chips.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
he did spank me then, although not hard enough to penetrate the denim, but with
total disregard for what our neighbours might see or hear. Although frankly if
they saw him spank like this and me giggling while he did it, they were going
to get the wrong idea anyway. He wasn’t trying particularly hard, and when I
did succeed in squirming around and sitting up, we were both out of breath,
both damp from the hose and neither of us cared about the marigolds. I knelt
astride his lap to reach his mouth and his hands ran down my back to my hips, pulling
me closer. It was a minute or two before he moved and lifted me to my feet so
he could stand up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
think we’d better take this inside before the neighbours get the binoculars
out.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
led the way indoors, slipped his hand in the hallway and heard him lunge behind
me which made me yelp and run for the stairs. He can cover them far faster than
I can, since he can run up several steps at a time. He caught me half way up,
and it took some time to make it the rest of the way to the top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
know this isn’t getting the gardening done?” he pointed out to me some time
later. Since I was sprawled on his chest and he was under the duvet, lazily
stroking my back and making it clear that was all he currently had the energy
left for, it wasn’t too convincing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Better
get back to it then.” I told him, starting to get up, and yelped as he grabbed
me and pulled me back down, swatting with way too much accuracy considering he
hadn’t even opened his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Brat.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
settled back down, quite happy to let the garden do its own thing for as long
as it wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
don’t think so.” I told him firmly. “I’m not the one who can’t keep his mind on
the job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Can’t
keep his-“ Damien opened one eye and looked at me. Then grabbed and rolled
over, pinning me underneath him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Right.
You asked for this. The full length demonstration and you’d better be taking
notes my lad, there will be a quiz at the end.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The End</span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Copyright Ranger 2016</span></i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-55354863062371725572016-10-03T12:15:00.005-07:002016-10-03T12:47:20.225-07:00Halloween and Guy Fawkes Day Stories<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<i></i><br />
<div style="color: #e69138; display: inline !important; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsZlRQRPZJ5Kcer9-i-CIl4jipsGUIbK2Ic14GYhSUJMOYqfXCMo44VU-EZaHMhd-emN5DOoC17Lc-fkBcgw9kVGatxUoetLjHbxJDezPyhSG0WNvW_WP_Zzr7wKDh2-48v_P0uYQVZ5f/s1600/Halloween_Ghost-14.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsZlRQRPZJ5Kcer9-i-CIl4jipsGUIbK2Ic14GYhSUJMOYqfXCMo44VU-EZaHMhd-emN5DOoC17Lc-fkBcgw9kVGatxUoetLjHbxJDezPyhSG0WNvW_WP_Zzr7wKDh2-48v_P0uYQVZ5f/s200/Halloween_Ghost-14.png" /></a></i></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<i>
</i>
<div style="color: #e69138; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><a href="http://fchextras.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-pumpkin-patch.html"><span style="color: #660000;">The Pumpkin Patch</span></a><span style="color: #e69138;"> by Rolf and Ranger</span></b></i></div>
<div style="color: #e69138; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2010/02/scratch-on-surface.html" style="color: #e69138;">A Scratch on the Surface</a> <span style="color: #660000;">by Rolf and Ranger </span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2010/02/at-sign-of-coach-and-horses.html"><span style="color: #660000;">At the Sign of Coach and Horses</span></a><span style="color: #e69138;"> by Ranger</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></b></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeUoVbszWt3zPfrRAMSrjWXRjh6jkkIWt2nrSSrotoMS48xNijkbc1uJdRpVejg-ic15I3NpQyCU15h9nhQsNukFhIuvBXR5dXGCI6d1CdEXZQKimKN7U-FuKWGVoKfa7xDrdOiLYus65/s1600/guy+fawkes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeUoVbszWt3zPfrRAMSrjWXRjh6jkkIWt2nrSSrotoMS48xNijkbc1uJdRpVejg-ic15I3NpQyCU15h9nhQsNukFhIuvBXR5dXGCI6d1CdEXZQKimKN7U-FuKWGVoKfa7xDrdOiLYus65/s320/guy+fawkes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
</i>tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-29390115473102776282015-12-31T10:23:00.001-08:002015-12-31T10:30:39.980-08:00New Year's Stories<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLMB3BgISQaw7Y1gpEP_OsZdQY00SC55_aGCDl48MN4A8s8flLMuB9Q0T08mEsnikEcgNFEnQAmFt8IfJHu0cxwuKFTV-ubkVboCv32PrxXpFNW_ScuX3gIcGSmMW7QtEh5Qm7sk3npdO/s1600/images.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLMB3BgISQaw7Y1gpEP_OsZdQY00SC55_aGCDl48MN4A8s8flLMuB9Q0T08mEsnikEcgNFEnQAmFt8IfJHu0cxwuKFTV-ubkVboCv32PrxXpFNW_ScuX3gIcGSmMW7QtEh5Qm7sk3npdO/s400/images.jpe" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2010/02/let-it-snow.html"><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;">Let it Snow</span> </i></b></a>by Rolf and Ranger</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2010/02/ringing-in-new-year.html"><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;">Ringing in the New Year</span></i></b></a> by Rolf and Ranger </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-seventh-day-of-christmas.html"><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;">On the Seventh Day of Christmas</span></i></b></a> by Ranger</div>
</span>tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-56323989524406467122015-12-25T02:36:00.000-08:002015-12-25T02:36:08.065-08:00Sealark ~ December<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">December<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They spent some days drawing up their planning onto
a small write on/wipe off board that Dare pulled out of their luggage, that
they’d always used in the days and weeks when prepping for a race. It was a
familiar sight; they were used to pulling together a framework around the
unmeasurable, the randoms like weather and speed, and still having a practical
plan, and initially laying in bed together with the pens to draft it, and then
hours spent over the next few days revising it and discussing it and working
out variables with Jamie having input and making suggestions, they ended up
with a schedule that ended up in the kitchen on the wall. Embodied in the board
was an acceptance that this was …. Well. Permanent. Time off for good behaviour
was not something his body was going to accommodate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It took him three days after Ian’s visit to get back
to his current ‘normal’. But Jamie came several times a week and worked with
him, and Dare saw what Jamie did over the next few weeks to help him start to
build back up muscle tone and to keep the shape of the body Jonah was used to,
as well as to raise his stamina. Most visits now they ostensibly took Poppet
for a walk together and chatted, but Jamie picked his route carefully and Dare
saw him gradually and skilfully extending the distance, the challenge in the
terrain, getting him on less even ground, slopes and banks, climbing stiles to
get onto the water way footpaths, and all of it pushed Jonah’s strength and
mobility. There was no longer a visible difference between his once casted leg
and the other one and he was moving increasingly confidently and easily, the
pelvis and thigh were healing very well. Being upright was no longer the drain
on him it had been, his body was learning again to accommodate it, and he was
slowly but steadily handling more in the periods between those scheduled rests.
Their first successful meal out together at The Swan was a victory. Shopping
together in the village was another victory. They were having to learn to
prioritise and structure the challenges; going for a meal meant going straight
there, eating and going straight home in order for it to be successful, and not
including a quick stroll around the village or dropping into a shop where the
two minutes spent standing in a queue at a till could drain Jonah’s energy too
far. Going shopping meant visiting a planned, specific couple of shops only and
not browsing or going to look at the boats or dropping into the coffee shop
too, and Dare learned fast to be clear and very firm about the boundaries. It didn’t
come naturally, it was a different way of doing things and it wasn’t easy, it
took adjusting to and occasionally they made mistakes that Jonah paid for, but
it worked. And Jonah, while frustrated by it at times, had kept that shift of
perspective he had made during Ian’s visit. He could see it working and he was
invested with Dare in keeping it working and solving the practical problems
with the same determination with which he used to solve practical problems with
a boat or a planned race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rest periods were the price of this, and
although they were steadily pushing the time they went to bed to be later and
later until it was approaching a more normal hour, they stuck to the rest
periods rigidly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The time is going to come,” Jamie said when they
were redeveloping the white board schedule which was evolving around those rest
periods and Jonah growled about them staying in place, “When we start shrinking
these down and see how much you can let go and still manage the same level of
activity. We’ll shorten one rest down, we’ll try eventually cutting one out
altogether, and so on. It’s finding where the balance point is. If you catch a
cold or you’re ill or you have a bad patch you’ll have to plan reinstate it for
a bit to stabilise yourself again but it’s finding your equilibrium point. This
is going to be a very different way of life and you have to learn to go with
the flow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You have no idea,” Jonah said irritably, “How
bloody annoying it is to be in the middle of something and feeling fine and
have to stop to lay down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I think it’s a whole lot easier for you the way you
and Dare do it that you have your time and it happens at that time come hell or
high water.” Jamie said without sympathy. “Much easier for you than just trying
to judge when you’re starting to get tired, I know you. When you’re interested
in something you won’t want to pay attention to the warning signs, you’ll want
to finish. Everything. Much better you have the habit of ‘it’s eleven am, the
world stops for an hour’.”<br />
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“And lay and do nothing because otherwise you’ll nag my head off about ‘proper
neurological rest’.” Jonah said, without much heat since Jamie only ever
laughed when Jonah stormed at him. In fact he liked Jamie more than Dare had
seen him like many people, and as long as he had known Jonah he had had
hundreds of acquaintances and people who liked him but beyond Dare himself, no
real friends he let close to him, particularly not gay friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will.” Jamie said unblushingly. “Deservedly so.
And don’t tell me you’re bored, I’ve seen you outside in the rain – I still
think you’re mad – for an hour watching the water and the birds without moving and
you’re not in the least bored. You don’t like the idea of having to it and you
don’t like the restriction but you’re one of the easiest people to entertain
I’ve ever met. This is what you two use the <i>Sealark</i>
for isn’t it? You can lay down in comfort and have a total change of scenery
any time you want it, be in the really wild bits you like – yes I’ve seen you
hanging out on Sutton Broad, that one’s gorgeous – and Dare can click his
camera to his heart’s content. What do you do with all these pictures, Dare?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He catalogues them occasionally.” Jonah said,
looking across to him. “Fills up memory sticks. We sit and look through them
every so often. Puts them on the laptop, although we’ve got no internet access
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why not?” Jamie asked him. Jonah shrugged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t know. I suppose we don’t know how long
we’re staying for.”<br />
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“But you bought the cottage, didn’t you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, we bought it.” Dare confirmed. “It’s part of
the Odham Hall estate and it’s on the estate documents, there are restrictions
– we can only re sell through them and it’s a listed building – not that we’d
mess with it anyway. But yes, it’s ours.”<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then you might want to start making it look like
you live here?” Jamie pointed out. “How can you feel settled when there’s
hardly anything of yours here other than your clothes? You’re treating it as a
holiday rental.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah shook his head. “You’re a bossy little sod,
you never stop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You need a lot of bossing.” Jamie blew him a kiss
and got up to put his coat on. “And you can always tell tales to Mick about me,
which reminds me. If you two aren’t doing anything tomorrow evening, come have
dinner with us at The Swan. Tim Dunkley will be there, and as the only five
gays in the village I feel strongly that we need to stick together.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dunkley is?” Jonah demanded. Jamie gave him a wry
nod. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh he is. Although his complete bastard of a
partner did a runner about ten years ago – so I hear, I was still at school at
the time – taking pretty much everything in their bank accounts with him. Tim’s
been single ever since, poor love. Although the job he does and the hours he
works in a backwater like this he doesn’t get a lot of chance to meet anyone.
We drag him to dinner monthly and at least then he has some social time where
he can be himself. Meet us in the bar at five thirty?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Swan was decked out in Christmas decorations and
lights that skimmed her beams and gabled roofs and the trees in the water front
garden, and greenery garlands hung along her walls under the windows. Along
with the large village Christmas tree on the green, the lights along the little
main street and the displays in the shop windows, the village looked even more
like a picture postcard than usual. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They came down by <i>Sealark</i>. Mooring being easier than finding parking nearby, and Dare
having prepared for Jonah if necessary to walk onto the boat, go directly to
bed – which he had made up in the cabin – and for them to sleep the night in
the mooring. Apart from it obviously being more fun to travel by boat anywhere
around here. Jonah moored her on the quay directly outside The Swan and they
walked with Poppet up through the garden to The Swan front door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It was a dog friendly inn; there were several dogs laying under tables and
Poppet regally ignored them with a tennis ball in her mouth, walking close to
Jonah as they made their way through the crowd in the bar. It was busy tonight.
Christmas music was playing over the speakers, although blessedly quietly, and
large fires were roaring in the several hearths. Jamie waved from a table in
the front bay window, one of the quieter tables that was surrounded by
armchairs rather than upright chairs. Being the landlord, Mick had clearly
appropriated what he wanted. The doctor, Tim Dunkley, was relaxed in one of the
armchairs with a pint in his hand, and Dare went to the bar to collect drinks
for himself and Jonah while Jonah took one of the armchairs at the table and
accepted Jamie’s hug as Poppet lay down beside him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hi! You sailed up? You found the navigation lights
you wanted for the <i>Sealark</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, the boatyard had them to hand and fitted them
there and then. They don’t usually let their hire craft do night cruising but
we talked them into it.” Jonah leaned over to take Mick’s offered hand. “Hello.
Thanks for the recommendation, <i>Sealark</i>’s
a good little tub and it’s a good boatyard.”<br />
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“They’re the ones helping out with my boat.” Dunkley agreed. “Historical renovation
of boats is one of their specialties, they’ve worked on the couple of living
museum Wherries around the broads.”<br />
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“I’ve seen one or two go by.” Jonah agreed as Dare came back to the table with
two pints in hand. “Magnificent things.”<br />
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“How is the work going on your boat?” Dare asked, taking a seat beside Jonah.
Dunkley grimaced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was hoping to take her out for a first trial run
this weekend but I've run into a problem with the new mast. I was </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">backing out one of the machine screws from a spreader end
plate and the head sheared right off. I’m going to have to take the spreader up
to Stalham and get them to weld a new end on if they can – its low season, I’ll
be lucky if they can do much with it this side of Christmas and I was hoping to
join the Santa race week after next.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dare winced, thinking of the numerous mast and rigging
issues they’d handled over the years but Jonah spoke up beside him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“You can drill it out and retap it, you just need a good
quality small drill bit. I’ve done that before now. If you don’t have the right
bit I can write down for you what you need, any shop selling decent tools will
have it, and I’ll come show you if you like.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dunkley gave him a look like the sun coming out over
his pint. “I'd love for you to.
Thankyou.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s the Santa Race?” Dare asked. Jamie grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“An unofficial yacht club fixture. All the yacht
clubs on the broads hold open events through the year but this is a quiet local
one usually, family stuff rather than a serious competition. Only boats under
sail can take part, they leave Wroxham Broad at 9am Christmas Eve, have to
circle a set up Santa boat and collect a ticket from it at Salhouse, Ranworth,
South Walsham and Barton Broads and then go back again through all five to
finish at Wroxham and present all ten tickets to get their time recorded. A lot
of people go out on their boats to watch, the morning is a bit more proper
sailing but in the afternoon as they’re coming back there’s fundraising, bands or
carol singers out on the staithes, it’s usually good fun and the pub then
heaves all evening, it’s more or less a village party. We’ll be going to cheer
on Tim, we usually take a spot on Barton Broad for the afternoon and watch with
mince pies and the good coffee. Bring <i>Sealark
</i>out and come and join us, it’s our day off before the madness of serving
Christmas lunch here in the restaurant all Christmas Day. We’re always booked
up solid – and you two are coming here for lunch, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dunkley gave them a brief grin. “Say yes, it’s
quicker. I’ve never got away with it, I get made to turn out to lunch here too
on the day. It’s good.”<br />
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“It is, the chef’s great.” Mick said peaceably, passing Jonah and Dare the
large restaurant menus. “What are you having this evening?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did you rest up this afternoon?” Jamie demanded of
Jonah who looked skyward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, Dad. I budgeted so I could sit here long
enough to enjoy it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then what are you having? I plan on having the
pheasant, I saw what the chef was doing with it and it looks amazing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I haven't had that before.” Dare said thoughtfully,
looking at the specials list. “Worth it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mick nodded confirmation “Fantastic. It’s local
meat, we can’t always get it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then I'll trust your judgement and try that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Me too.” Jonah added, handing his menu back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare and Mick got up together to go to the bar and
place the order. Jamie picked up his drink and surveyed Jonah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You do look pretty good today. You're getting the
hang of this. Dare helping?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, of course.
He can't <i>not</i> help.” Jonah
added, and not critically either. Jamie nodded comprehension, smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ve noticed. You've got a good one there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, I got lucky.
Twice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He's your second partner?” Dunkley asked. Jonah
shook his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, Dare’s been my one and only in that way. I meant
I was lucky I found him before the accident and lucky now he’s stuck with me
despite what I’ve been putting him through. He rises to the challenge, Dare.
Thank God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You've both been through a lot.” Dunkley said with
rough sympathy. “It can't be easy partnering a yacht racer, you were both on
your own for weeks at a time. Is it hard being together this much?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah reflected for a moment, slightly surprised
when he thought about it. “…No. It hasn’t been at all. I suppose we were always
together a lot, we travelled together, he came with me to the marinas and
worked around the race schedule, and when I was on the water training or out on
a race I was busy all the time. There was very little time I was ever away from
Dare without being too busy with work to think, so the time we had together
always has been together. And he’s always fine with me sitting out on deck for
an hour or going off down the garden, he’s always understood about me wanting
time alone. He’s a bit the same way himself.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dunkley nodded slowly, with compassion and with
interest. “I'm sorry to pry. After the articles I read… that must be an
exciting life to let go of.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It <i>was</i> an
exciting life.” Jonah said frankly. “I loved it. I started racing when I was
nine, my parents were yachters when they were alive and I was out on boats with
them before I could walk, I was solo racing all through my teens, and then I
had all the boats I designed and raced myself. Not sure I would have been able
to get as far as we did in the end without Dare. He’s always been good for me.
Yes he’s bloody gorgeous, but he’s good for me too. He thinks things through
more than I do, he makes me keep my feet on the ground and won’t take the
nonsense, I wouldn’t have won half of what I did without him. I just have to work
hard on remembering that I lived all that, all the things Dare and I got to do,
and this is …. sort of bonus time now. Even if it won’t be the same quality
it’s still a lot more than I ever thought I’d get when the catamaran came apart.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In those hours in the water – what little he
remembered of them – the determination had been for anything. Anything at all,
any moment more with Dare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It <i>will</i> be
the same quality.” Jamie said firmly. “Of course it will. It's different. It's
very different. It’s no fun to have to let go of what you were used to and
start again. But you make it about living as much as you ever did, you find out
different things to do together, different opportunities. Different, not
worse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His tactless directness always helped. Jonah glanced
up at him, managing a brief smile but freed a hand from his pint to find and
squeeze his hand for a moment in the best he managed at the moment in the way
of thank you – and he owed Jamie a lot of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare and Mick were threading their way back through
the crowd towards them and Jamie followed Dunkley’s eyes towards them, then his
gaze sharpened as he saw through the window behind them that led down into the
waterfront garden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That's Edward mooring up! What's he doing up here
at this time of night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Edward Grey?” Dunkley said with interest. “He’s a
long way from home after dark.”<br />
<br />
“He’s got something wrapped around his hand.” Jamie was gone in a flash,
dodging through the crowd with the ease of long practice. He was back a moment
later with the bar’s first aid kit in his hand and the river police officer in
the other, who looked fed up in his heavy police waterproof jacket and had a
makeshift wrap of what looked like an engine oil rag around his hand which was
well bloodied. Dunkley pulled up a chair beside him, indicating for the man to
sit down and starting to unwrap his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What have you done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Trying to tow another abandoned day boat in the
dark and got my hand caught between it and my boat.” The man said sourly. “It’s
been that kind of a day.”<br />
<br />
“Stay and eat, and then I’ll drive you home.” Mick said succinctly, leaning on
the back of his chair to watch. “You can’t sail all the way to Potter Heigham
in the dark with that at this time of night. Where did you find the boat?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Abandoned at Salhouse Broad. In the middle of
nowhere again. It’s like they get off and vanish into thin air. Hello again.”
He added to Dare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dare Brody and Jonah Trevelyan,” Mick said, waving
a hand between them. “This is Edward Grey, he’s our local Broadsbeat river
inspector. River branch of the local police.”<br />
<br />
“We met while I was chasing another nicked day boat the other day.” Edward
winced as Dunkley cleaned out several wide, bleeding grazes that covered most
of the back of his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sorry.” Dunkley told him, “I don’t think you’ve
crushed anything, just scraped yourself up well. Don’t you use fenders?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, but the bloody day boat is so low it slides in
underneath them. That’s the third I’ve retrieved this week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where are they getting them from?” Mick asked. “All
the big hire centres are locked up.”<br />
<br />
“Everywhere.” Edward said expressively. “It’s never the same yard more than one
night running, and with all the smaller yards closed for the winter I’ll bet
plenty of thefts haven’t even been noticed yet. The boat gets taken,
occasionally someone sees a boat empty apart from a few men speeding past in
the early morning and then I find it dumped somewhere at a staithe. We’re used
to equipment and fuel being stolen during the winter, but from some of the grass
and oil and bits left in some of the boats I think it ties up with some
burglaries our land team’s been investigating in the area. Boathouses and
garages broken into, tools, parts and fixtures being pinched, all metal. I
think they use the day boat to store it somewhere for later pick up and then
randomly dump the boat in a different place.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That was what we saw when they shot past us?” Dare
asked him. “Taking the boat somewhere to abandon it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. Somewhere not too close to where things got dumped.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One of the waitresses came over with a tray and
started handing out plates. Mick gave her a quick nod across the table. “Would
you plate up another one for me Katie, bring me a scotch and set another place?
Edward’s staying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From the smile the waitress gave Edward he was a
known face in here. Dunkley finished cleaning Edward’s hand and re packed the
first aid kit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re done. It’ll heal quicker uncovered if you
don’t get muck and water on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thanks.” Edward flexed his fingers cautiously and
accepted the scotch and the plate the waitress brought him, joining them as
they started on their dinner. The pheasant was spiced and delicious if you
could tear yourself away from the dauphinoise potatoes and the Christmas spiced
red cabbage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is great.” Dare said with appreciation. “I
agree with you about your chef.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Edward nodded with his mouthful, starting to look a
lot more relaxed. “He’s a gem. I’ve seen you two around a lot with your <i>Sealark</i>. New to the area?”<br />
<br />
“We bought Eel Cottage on the Odham estate.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Jonah’s a boat designer.” Jamie informed him, and nodded with satisfaction as
Edward looked up. “Yes, I thought that would grab you. British Silver in the
Olympics three years ago?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s you?” Edward demanded. “Wow. Nice to meet
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Edward’s another keen sailor,” Mick supplied to
Jonah. “And another yacht club member when he’s not in his police capacity. Law
and order on the water, look out for him with a speed gun in his hands.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What do you do?” Edward asked Dare. Dare pulled the
Nikon out of his pocket and held it up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Photographer. Although I’m not working at the
moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You said you could look at the pictures on screen?”
Jamie asked. “May I see?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare turned on the play back and handed it to him,
and Mick and Edward leaned together to look with Jamie as he scrolled through.
They were casually interested for the first few, then Jonah saw them get more
intent and they sat in silence for several minutes, scrolling through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dare, these are gorgeous.” Jamie said soberly,
looking up. “You’re a serious wildlife photographer, the series with the grebe
fishing is beautiful – and the different weathers and lights on the landscape.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And the boats.” Edward leaned further to see one
from another angle. “You do know the Broads Authority would like to see these?
They have a few local photographers they use and they prefer using local ones
who actually know and like the area – all the tourist postcard pictures,
calendars, books, tourist information booklets, wildlife pictures, education
materials, museum display pictures, signage and information boards – the lot of
it comes from them, and that’s before you get into the photographers needed for
the conservation records and picture documenting progress with conservation or
restoration projects, bank erosion records, wildlife population, breeding and
migration evidence, water levels… there’s tons of it they have to collect
pictures for, the work’s there all the time. If you’re wanting work I’ll be
glad to pass your name along to the head office.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. Please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This one is Jonah?” Jamie sounded distressed. “This
must have been Bristol hospital?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare glanced at Jonah and reached for the camera. <br />
<br />
“Yes. Those are a bit private-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“It’s ok.” Jonah gently took the camera from him as Jamie handed it over. The
body on the bed in the picture was not recognisable as anyone in particular.
Tubes from each orifice, machines all around it. It didn’t look or feel like
him. Dare looked with him at the picture and under the table Jonah felt his hand
close over his and squeeze. There it was on the camera screen. The turning
point. The moment. The end of one time and the beginning of another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That was me? The picture
shows someone as white as the bedsheets, hooked to all manner of hospital stuff,
like they were afraid the person would get up and walk out if not held down by
all the wires and tubes and leads. Me,
alone, near death. But I was never
alone. That was Dare on the other side of the camera. I’m even further from being alone now, surrounded
by people. People that met me at my
worst, who understand the limitations, know what are tiny triumphs and what
shouldn’t – shouldn’t - be shameful. Friends
we didn’t have before.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjB0Q9aq69-vlEIQJ6eecyjowj2cLyzVlaukas349-pgurY7FV2Flmqa0vKQ7fpwu5dkMKI1ssP4NMvHd_pfyDBD0nAIvmrqcyr6hmSO8ABj0JZBzGJxWqas63XvWXUFKDwUkl4o7cLqA/s1600/norfolk-xmas6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjB0Q9aq69-vlEIQJ6eecyjowj2cLyzVlaukas349-pgurY7FV2Flmqa0vKQ7fpwu5dkMKI1ssP4NMvHd_pfyDBD0nAIvmrqcyr6hmSO8ABj0JZBzGJxWqas63XvWXUFKDwUkl4o7cLqA/s400/norfolk-xmas6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Their expeditions grew longer as Jonah’s stamina
grew further. They spent an afternoon looking around the Broads museum in
Stalham where Jonah was fascinated by the photographs and the preserved boats,
and they went back several times in the next few weeks for another look around.
The biggest test of their progress was going into Wroxham Christmas shopping
one morning in mid December. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The largest village on the Broads – nearer a small
town – it sat directly on Wroxham bridge and they sailed there one evening,
moored in the nearby Wroxham Broad overnight, and then covered the last fifteen
minutes to the moorings by the bridge itself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christmas lights were everywhere. The bridge was lit
with them, more overhung the high street beyond the bridge, and the hotels and
shops and holiday apartments that lined the river were decked out and had
Christmas trees in sight in the gardens. Dare had insisted they brought the
wheelchair and Jonah, while not thrilled, accepted it as the price of getting
to browse shops and take a proper look around. Dare unfolded it on the staithe
and Jonah, with only a faint wince and a glance around to see no one was
looking, closed the saloon door with a slightly indignant Poppet inside, locked
the boat and got into the chair. Only a few feet from the staithe was the high
street itself; boating and the waterway was an integral part of this town and
its life, and many visitors arrived and left by boat. Some enterprising man
years ago had opened a department store in Wroxham, and bit by bit it had
spread until Roys of Wroxham covered over half the high street. A large
department store, clothing outlets, toy shop, a large supermarket, a garden
centre – all of it under the same banner. A Salvation Army band in full uniform
were playing carols on the street outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The department store was an Aladdin’s Cave of all
kinds of oddments, they spent a while enjoying exploring. There was no
difficulty in finding multiple options for presents for Ian, his wife and his
daughters, the greater difficulty was deciding between them. A large bottle of
port was the best option for Dr Dunkley; Jamie and Mick were harder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On the upper floor Dare paused in the extensive
bedding section. “Jone? What do you think of those cushions?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are we scatter cushion people?” Jonah teased him.
“Since when?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Since we started needing to be comfortable? We’re
not going to want pillows in the living room for ever and Jamie’s got a point.
We’re going to be here a while.”<br />
<br />
“….How long?” Jonah said rather more quietly. Dare leaned on the back of the
wheelchair, looking down at him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t know. As long as we feel like being here I
suppose.”<br />
<br />
“You don’t want to move on?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I like it here. I like the people, I like the
waterways. I like the cottage. But there are other places we can go if you find
it too small?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No.” Jonah said with conviction and he was starting
to smile. “No, it’s not too small. I like it here too.”<br />
<br />
Dare stooped to kiss him, picked up the pillows and with some reflection picked
up a matching thick rug too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know something else? I think we should choose a
tv.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That took a while longer and Dare made the
arrangements to have their chosen tv and dvd player delivered to the cottage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the photography section downstairs Jonah abruptly
twisted around in the chair to find Dare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Got your camera?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare pulled it out of his pocket. Jonah nodded at
the board over the counter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why don’t we choose some of your local pictures and
have them blown up and frame for Mick and Jamie? Something for the pub. You
took several of The Swan frontage, they’d like that. They love that place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the end they chose three for Mick and Jamie; one
of The Swan and two of the river nearby, one a twilight shot and another of a
Wherry passing by. They chose five more to be framed for the cottage. And in
the large department downstairs selling Christmas decorations Dare drew Jonah
to a halt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ve not had a place of our own at Christmas
before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They had never stayed anywhere more than a few
months. Christmas was usually spent in apartments, hotels, at sponsors
Christmas events and sometimes with Ian and his family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I think we need to do it for ourselves. A tree.
Decorations. A wreath for the door. Let’s do this properly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah shook his head at him, laughing. “You’re
enjoying this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They decorated the house together, which involved
pulling Poppet’s nose out of every box, bag and container first, and having to
stop regularly to find one of her beloved tennis balls to swap her for the
several baubles and sprigs of greenery that she had taken away to play with.
The real tree in the corner of the living room scented the whole of the
downstairs, covered in the purple and gold ornaments they had chosen. A garland
lay over the mantelpiece above the fire and another along the windowsill of the
living room, a wreath was hooked on the front door. It looked remarkably…. Cosy
was the word Jonah had in mind as he lay on the couch that afternoon, on the
scatter cushions which looked less medicinal and more homely than the pillows
had. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgosaLvbQYBZOXyzWqLdhVZZi_9BYpzoNSjEz079rABJI-0_EjQy6l4QqDw1ITYFYXW2tD9FP08HPbjLVTJnQCfdgEkDyGhyphenhyphenGWOkxBRxvCuX7I_sCyV_tkLChHXl-8GKZ4Wt1oEO5FQiUK/s1600/thumb_587__media-gallery-image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgosaLvbQYBZOXyzWqLdhVZZi_9BYpzoNSjEz079rABJI-0_EjQy6l4QqDw1ITYFYXW2tD9FP08HPbjLVTJnQCfdgEkDyGhyphenhyphenGWOkxBRxvCuX7I_sCyV_tkLChHXl-8GKZ4Wt1oEO5FQiUK/s320/thumb_587__media-gallery-image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The afternoon before Christmas Eve Dunkley’s yacht
sailed slowly and gracefully up to the moorings at Eel Cottage staithe, and
Dare came over to catch the rope Dunkley threw him. The varnish was gleaming,
newly dry, and her immaculate sails belied the fact that she was such a
venerable old lady. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“She looks beautiful!” Dare called. “Did you Christen her before her launch?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I did.” Dunkley said not without some pride. “She
got a glass of best scotch against her hull.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How is the mast now? May I see?” Jonah came to
admire her and Dunkley held out a hand to help him aboard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on up. You fixed it, I’ve had no trouble
since.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mick and Jamie brought their powered boat to the
staithe and Jamie jumped down to tie her up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hi Dare. Hey you have lights in the garden!”<br />
<br />
“We’re doing it properly this year.” Dare said apologetically. “Or we’re having
a go, we’ve never done this before.”<br />
<br />
“Bright and twinkly is good.” Jamie kissed his cheek in hello and leaned
against Mick as he was shivering slightly. “That yacht is gorgeous. Tim’s been
raving about Jonah’s suggestions and him sorting out the spreader. The guy from
the boatyard was quite struck with him too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We enjoyed ourselves. We got shown all round their
yard, including their building sheds.”<br />
<br />
“Jonah was ok with that?” Jamie asked him. Dare nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He was a little quiet. But interested. Their river
boats are very different to the Southampton yacht builders, it’s a different
ball game. The boatyard guy knew of him and knew the catamaran and he shared
some of their designs, wanted his opinion and made it clear Jone was welcome to
visit - and it’s his normal work ground for Jone. After the first shock he got straight
into it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Given a few months Dare actually wondered if Jonah
would look for work there or in one of the many boatyards in the area that
built, maintained and hired out the Broads crafts of all kinds. Practical and
adaptable: those had always been strengths of Jonah’s, plus the energy and
charm when something excited him. The glimmers in the boat shed had certainly charmed
the yard crew. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll bring the coffee into the garden,” Dare said
as Jamie went to admire Dunkley’s yacht. Mick grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Typical sailing fraternity: it’s December and here
we are standing freezing our nuts off outside with the boats. I’ll help you.”<br />
<br />
“Dare!” Jonah called from the yacht deck. “Tim’s going to take her out around
the broad, we’ll be half an hour – ok?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His hair was on end and blowing wild in the December
breeze that would make a sailed boat fly today, his face was reddened with cold
and in his gloves and jacket against the grey water and the white sail he
looked lively and happy ….and stunning. It would have been impossible to say no
to him in that moment. Jamie cut in, calling from the deck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll watch him like a hawk Dare, I won’t let him do
anything heavy or get too tired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good luck with that!” Dare called back to him but
waved. “Don’t be too long.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The sails filled as soon as Dunkley raised them,
Jamie loosed the rope and coiled it, stepping aboard, and the yacht sailed up
river with Jonah sitting on her deck. Dare watched him go, wondering how this
first was feeling to him, sails open, the boat alive beneath him – but he was
laughing at something Jamie was saying and Jamie came to sit beside him, and
not for the first time Dare reflected that there was the relief of no secrets
with these people. The emerging friendship was an honest one and they knew only
Jonah and Dare of now, today, not who they had been before the accident. Jonah
had no need to act in front of Jamie or Dunkley, or Mick by extension, and he could
relax around them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dunkley took his elderly lady the <i>Edie May</i> out into the space of Barton
Broad where no other boat was in sight at this time of late afternoon, and for
twenty minutes they flew her where the wind was strongest, letting her stretch
her sails. It was well into twilight when they ducked to let the boom go over
and with her lights lit, Dunkley turned the tiller back into the river Ant,
sailing her down through the gathering dark. The cottage Christmas lights were
just visible from the river, needed on a cloudy night when it would ordinarily
take effort to see the staithe. But along the wooden boards, stood in a line ……
Jamie made a soft little ‘oh’ sound as he saw it and Jonah’s breath caught. A
line of candles in jars were lit waiting for them along the dock and flickering
in the dark. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They took the prepared and well rationed <i>Sealark</i> out that evening after the <i>Edie May</i> and the <i>Swanning About</i> headed home together, went the brief fifteen minutes
up river and moored out on the dark silence of Barton Broad, intending to be in
position and ready in the morning for a day spent watching the race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah, sprawled out on the bed which Dare had made
up before they left the staithe, listened to the steady, comfortable chugging
of her engine as she made her way up river, and Dare glanced over at him,
giving him a quick smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s not quite what the <i>Edie May</i> is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s lovely.” Jonah said reflectively. And those
moments had been lovely, to be on a flying craft again and hear and feel the
sails move. But there had been no pang getting aboard the <i>Sealark</i> this evening. Her cabin lights were soft, gentle light in
the darkness, the bunk was comfortable and her now so familiar throbbing engine
was like a heartbeat. His graceful, sharp racing yachts had been living things
in his hands, they had responded to his touch with the call of a musical
instrument, responsive, he would always remember how that had felt. It had been
him against the water, working alone with his craft. The <i>Sealark</i> … her rotund, blunt bow was neither graceful nor sleek. But
she was warm, she was steady, she was comfortable and she was theirs in a way
no yacht had ever been. She was designed as a boat to be lived in and not
survived on, a place it was perfectly comfortable to lounge to read together,
to lay in bed and doze, to watch the world from her deck. Somewhere he had come
to love this chunky, chuggy little tub and the gentle, slow waters she sailed
on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>Sealark</i>
is one of the old girls of the boatyard fleet, isn’t she?” he said to Dare, who
nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. I don’t think they keep the hire boats for
more than a set number of seasons before they sell them on. Insurance reasons
probably.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Like the house… it meant commitment. A long term
future here. And a future here was beginning to open up, and it was a rather
comfortable, peaceful one. Jonah swallowed and said it lightly enough for Dare
to refuse if he wanted to. <br />
<br />
“Think they’d take an offer for her? She’d be worth making it an offer they’d
be daft to refuse.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare glanced back at him and the smile he shot Jonah
was a very private and a very warm one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ll ring them on Monday.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Out on the broad Dare went out to drop the
mudweight, checking her position. He had moved her into the lee of the bank,
still out in open water where she would swing around on the mudweight all night
as the water changed direction with the tides, but sheltered. His breath misted
in front of him as he came back down the cabin steps, locking the canopy behind
him. The low cabin light was all that was on now, Poppet was asleep at the foot
of the bed and Jonah had pushed the quilt back. He was naked. Long and lean and
his shaggy golden hair in his eyes, and there wasn’t much missing the
expression in them. Dare stood where he was for a moment, somewhat lost in the
view. Then as Jonah reached for him to help him out of his trousers, he pulled
his coat off, pulled his sweater and shirt off over his head and let Jonah deal
with the buttons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sprawled out on the covers, somewhat sweat slicked,
breathless and with the cabin somewhat steamed up… they dozed for a while until
the night air grew cold enough to make them take sanctuary under the covers,
and they fell asleep to the gentle movement of the boat on the water and the
call of the birds and Poppet still snoring softly at the end of the bed. It was
damn cold tonight, the chill rose up off the water and they were grateful for
the cabin heating as well as the thick blankets and the hot water bottles that
Dare took into the bunk with them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was somewhere near dawn that Dare felt Jonah stir
and reached over to his side of the bed, sleepily surfacing. But his hand found
Jonah gone altogether, and when he half sat up, Jonah’s voice said softly, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shh. Listen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was over by the saloon door. Poppet had her head
up and was listening intently to something and concentrating, Dare could just
about make it out. The high motorcycle engine sound of a little day boat. It
was a long way off, but coming closer. Dare grabbed a sweater from the end of
the bed and shouldered into it, handing Jonah the other one. They had gone to
bed in sweats and socks as a result of the cold and Dare was grateful as Jonah
slid the door open as quietly as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was still mostly dark, cloudy with very little
visibility but torch beams were on the water a long way off. She was coming at
quite a lick, well above the river speed limit, shooting out of the entrance to
the river Ant, and Poppet, who had jumped down to the cabin floor to join them,
growled softly. Dare scooped her up and put a hand on her muzzle, hushing her.
Voices were audible across the water, men’s voices. On a night like this sound
would travel a long way. The boat passed fairly near them, probably within
sixty feet, and Dare wondered if the Sealark was visible in the darkness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s going up there.” Jonah breathed. “One of the
private dykes, third to the left.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many large, expensive houses – most of them
Victorian age or older and several of the extensive estates – were on the banks
of the rivers and the broads, many with gardens large enough to incorporate
woodland and enough land that the house was not visible at all. And no few of
those old houses had their own narrow, private waterways that wound through
their estate to the boathouse. The little dykes were frequently visible as you
sailed around, some clear and still in use and others so long abandoned and
thickly overgrown with waterlilies they were no longer passable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The engine settled from a roar to a steady humming.
The boat had stopped. There was a moment where it purred and that was all they
could hear, then abruptly it roared again as the boat accelerated and the torch
beams reappeared on the water. The boat shot across the Broad, heading for the
river and Ludham Bridge. The torches never flashed in their direction; Dare
doubted they’d seen the <i>Sealark</i> on
the dark water at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s gone.” Jonah said eventually. They were both
shivering. Dare drew him inside and closed the door, swatting him gently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Get back into bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Poppet went with him. Dare put one of the cabin
lights on and boiled the kettle to make tea, taking two mugs and the biscuit
tin back to bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It sounds like they’re dumping stuff.” Jonah said
through a mouthful of biscuit, curling up to him to warm up. “Dropping it off
for later collection, then dumping the boat somewhere random.”<br />
<br />
“Random and not far from a road.” Dare mused, fingers playing with Jonah’s
spine where the bones disappeared down into the curve of his behind. “Neatishead,
Ludham Bridge, two minutes walk and you can meet a car and be gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And the dyke will lead to a mooring on a private
estate.” Jonah chose another biscuit from the tin and lay back with it. “So you
just nip down through the garden to collect – what’ll you bet one of them does
at least odd jobbing or gardening on that estate? Nice easy way to collect in
their own time and no one notices. Not in low season when there aren’t many
people on the water overnight. At first light I say we take a look up that
dyke.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They dressed at first light – which at this time of
the year didn’t happen until well after 7.30 am – and Jonah who had the most
experience with depth judgement and precision steering, took the <i>Sealark</i> gently and gingerly into the
dyke, wary of choking her with waterlilies or grounding her. But the dyke was
obviously not that long out of use and had once taken a serious sized boat
through her pathway; the <i>Sealark </i>moved
without problem between the narrow banks through a stretch of woodland. Dare,
leaning over the side to watch, saw the narrow little staithe against the bank
and called down into the saloon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“It’s here. There must be a boathouse further on but there’s a small staithe
here by a path.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah drew her in. Moored to the little jetty was a
shallow wooden dinghy. Elderly and somewhat battered as if it hadn’t seen use
in some years, but well covered in a fitted tarpaulin. Dare stepped down onto
the bank as Jonah stilled the engine and brought <i>Sealark</i> to a halt, followed by Poppet. She nosed curiously at the
dinghy as Dare raised the tarpaulin. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There were several large canvas bags inside her,
stuffed with tools, fittings, anything made of iron. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They’re selling this for scrap.” Dare said in
disgust. “Some of these tools will be old, specially designed, irreplaceable,
especially the ones from the boatyards. They’re only after the scrap value.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He knew it would anger Jonah as much as him. Working
with craftsmen and boat builder they knew first hand that many such people
spent their adult lives collecting their personal tools, some inherited from
mentors and family and passed down generations, of little value to anyone save
their owner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m not putting this on <i>Sealark</i>.” He said to Jonah. “We’re not handling stolen goods and
messing up the police’s chance of getting fingerprints. And I don’t think the
dinghy’s sound enough to tow out onto the open water with this weight, it’d
sink.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And they had no idea how soon the thieves would be
collecting last night’s haul, or how long it might take to get hold of Edward
Grey and for him to bring a boat down here. The thought of those tools being
lost was not a pleasant one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then we scuttle her.” Jonah said, switching the
engine off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?” Dare demanded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s a smuggler’s trick. Perfect for shallow waters
like this. We move her away from the staithe, put her down on the bottom of the
dyke so she’s out of sight and we’ll come back and raise her again at Edward’s
convenience. Fingerprints still intact, I know that from the boat accident in
the marina in Cowes, the police raised the wreck and got fingerprints from the
cabin to find who’d been sailing her when she went down. If those men come back
they’ll think she’s been found and removed, they won’t find her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then I’ll do it.” Dare said grimly. “The water’s
going to be freezing thanks, this is some way to spend Christmas Eve. Stop
laughing!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The water was in fact just above thigh deep and
stepping down into it was not pleasant. Dare untied and walked the dinghy ahead
of him about ten feet back towards the Broad as Jonah backed up the <i>Sealark</i>, and spent a long minute leaning
his weight on the dinghy’s nose to push it down below the water. Once he got
her there she sank quite quickly with some help from him to lean her down until
she lay flat on the bottom. The Broads water was opaque grey and brown, not
clear enough to see more than a few inches below the surface; no one would see
her there. Dare waded back to the staithe and climbed up on to it, walking down
the bank with dripping trousers and an excited spaniel to meet the <i>Sealark</i>, and lifted Poppet onto the side
before he climbed aboard, shivering hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Want a shower?” Jonah invited, grinning at him and backing
the <i>Sealark</i> rapidly down the dyke
towards the exit. Dare stripped off wet shoes, shocks and pants, picking up the
towel Jonah had left for him and heading for the bathroom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. Get us out of here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They spent a leisurely morning watching the birds
fishing on the Broad until around ten am a small powered boat brightly decorated
with flashing Christmas lights, tinsel and several inflatable snowmen appeared
with a crew of four, one of whom was in full Father Christmas costume and waved
to them. They moored in the middle of the Broad and dropped the mudweight
there, and from the look of things proceeded to keep warm and enjoy themselves
with coffee and mince pies. With only a gentle wind this morning it was going
to take the sailing boats time to get up the river from Wroxham; it was about
three and half hours on a powered boat and Dare thought they’d start to see the
fastest yachts around midday. Other
boats started to muster around 11am, most of them decorated for Christmas, filling
up the moorings at the staithes and a few like the <i>Sealark</i>, putting down the mudweight in open water. Most of the
boats were familiar ones; from the many hours they had spent on the river they
were beginning to know the names and colours and recognise the faces of the well
bundled up people in hats, gloves and scarves who nodded and waved when they
passed. The <i>Swanning About</i> came into
view about 11.30 and when Dare waved them over Mick flung him a rope and they
roped the two boats together side by side before Jamie dropped their mudweight
to anchor them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good morning! Beautiful morning for the race,
they’re coming up fast – we passed about six on our way and we could see more
behind us. Haven’t seen Tim yet. We towed him down to The Swan last night and
he slept on board and sailed down to Wroxham to the starting line first thing
this morning. Is that coffee? You’re an angel.”<br />
<br />
Dare handed him a mug, returned Jamie’s hug and passed the other mug to Mick as
Mick stepped aboard the <i>Sealark</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We slept on the Broad, thought we’d reserve a good
spot.”<br />
<br />
“This is perfect.” Jamie agreed, taking a seat on the sofa beside Jonah. “You
do have good view in this cabin, she’s really designed for spectating.”<br />
<br />
“We were talking last night and we think we’re going to make an offer for her.”
Dare took the steering chair with his own coffee, leaving Mick to stretch out
his height and bulk on the other sofa and Poppet to circle round a few times
before flopping on the floor at Jonah’s feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie laughed, raising his coffee mug to toast Dare.
“Aww that’s great! You’re in love!”<br />
<br />
“We are.” Jonah agreed. “She feels like ours.”<br />
<br />
“I think every boat I’ve ever had – and I’ve sailed since I was a kid – has
been a friend,” Mick said reflectively, “Some more than others, but they all
have different feels to them. Personalities. We saw the <i>Swanning About</i> for sale in a yard and fell for her on the spot.”<br />
<br />
“With that name we couldn’t resist.” Jamie added. “It just seemed meant to be.
The right boat does seem to find you at the right moment. Tim’s been nursing
the <i>Edie May</i> along for about four
years now, she was a wreck dried out in a barn when he found her. I just wish
he’d find someone to mess around on her with.”<br />
<br />
“Stop match making.” Mick ordered. Jamie gave him a naughty look over the edge
of his glass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ve been trying to set him up for years. He’s
tough though, he’s never taken me up on any suggested dates and we’ve had some
lovely guys come through the pub.”<br />
<br />
“Will Edward be here this morning?” Dare asked. “I’ve been trying to phone his
base this morning but no one’s answering.”<br />
<br />
“It’s going to be a 999 job or calling him direct on his mobile,” Jamie
advised, “The police are a bit pushed at this time of year. He very likely will
be around, but I don’t know when?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Do you have his mobile number?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Yes.” Jamie pulled out his phone, found the number in contacts and handed Dare
the phone. “Something you need to report?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, we had the day boat thieves go past us last
night.” Dare entered the number into his own phone and pressed ‘call’. “They
dropped off a lot of tools and other metal in one of the private dykes on the
far bank over there and headed off towards Ludham, I’d guess Edward will find
the boat dumped at Ludham Bridge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tools?” Jamie demanded. “You saw it?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We went over to the dyke this morning and looked.”
Jonah finished his coffee and got up to pour more. “They had it under cover on
a dinghy moored to the garden staithe. Not difficult to come down through the
garden and retrieve it when they’re ready.”<br />
<br />
“It’ll probably be long gone before Edward gets here,” Mick said regretfully.
“I don’t know what shift he’s working today-” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Edward?” Dare interrupted as the mobile was
answered. “It’s Dare Brody, sorry to bother you but Jonah and I saw your boat
thieves a little after 3am this morning, you’ll probably find an abandoned day
boat at Ludham Bridge, and the haul is in a dinghy in a private dyke off Barton
Broad. We looked, we didn’t touch. If you can come down to Barton Broad we’re
here, we can show you where it is. There’s no rush, it won’t be going anywhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You said they’d come get it through the garden?”
Jamie said quizzically. <br />
<br />
“We scuttled the boat.” Jonah topped up Jamie’s coffee and handed the coffee
pot to Mick. “Put it down on the bottom of the dyke. They won’t find it and it
won’t do the metal any harm for a few hours.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mick burst out laughing in his deep voice and Jamie
shook his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How did you think of that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Haven’t you ever read any Arthur Ransome? It worked
like a charm.”<br />
<br />
“We’ll be here.” Dare said into the phone and ended the call. “He’s on his way
and he’ll check Ludham Bridge, thinks he’ll be here in a couple of hours.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On the Broad a tannoy on the Santa boat abruptly
burst into life blasting Wizzard’s ‘I wish it could be Christmas Every Day’
across the water. The costumed Santa on the boat began to dance, holding his
mug above his head. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbmNx0HqYgw-wCN2a3U-5eohYSi6GIqa0H1HXIEC5BJpEJ6zBP4iEwSoV8FFAbA9XqXhNvpP1rKy8f32A43a_lJuBcCjgf2CBxi6-ex4c9kZsoOQiOo0DqqGch_uI0VmHwbSTIfR_Upx_/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbmNx0HqYgw-wCN2a3U-5eohYSi6GIqa0H1HXIEC5BJpEJ6zBP4iEwSoV8FFAbA9XqXhNvpP1rKy8f32A43a_lJuBcCjgf2CBxi6-ex4c9kZsoOQiOo0DqqGch_uI0VmHwbSTIfR_Upx_/s320/IMG_1734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first yacht sailed out onto the Broad just
before half past twelve to cheers from the watching boaters. It circled the
Santa boat and received its ticket from Santa, after which it headed back
towards the river entrance, tacking into the wind. The nearest chasing boat was
just coming into view. Over the next two hours a steady stream of yachts made
their turn around the Santa boat, some crewed by groups of friends but many of
them family crewed boats. One sailing dinghy was crewed by two boys who looked
to be about eight and ten years old, with their father in a powered cruiser
following at a distance and keeping a wary eye on them. A large cruiser, one of
the water bus ones that ran school trips and tourist cruises in high season,
crossed the Broad to the big jetty towards one end where the small education
centre floated, and a group of about twenty people disembarked wrapped up in
thick coats, hats and gloves and equipped with microphones and amplifiers, and
as the Santa boat turned off their music the education centre began to pipe
music across the water and the group formed up and began to sing The Holly and
the Ivy. Many of the people on the boats, including the four of them perched on
the side of the <i>Sealark</i>, joined in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie, who knew Jonah and Dare’s schedule as well as
they did, poked Mick at one thirty and they went back aboard the <i>Swanning About</i>, and Dare made the bed up
in the saloon where Jonah could lay and watch the yachts. He lay down with him;
for an hour they watched entangled together under a blanket as the sails went
past across the Broad, and then Dare saw the wooden topped cruiser with the
blue light on top and sat up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There’s Edward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They left <i>Sealark</i>
and <i>Swanning About</i> in Mick and Poppet’s
care and Jonah, Jamie and Dare climbed aboard the police cruiser to show Edward
the private dyke. Dare sacrificed another pair of trousers and waded down the
dyke to pull up the dinghy’s tow rope which they attached to the police cruiser.
When Edward gunned the cruiser engine the dinghy rose up to the surface in a
long slow glide like a surfacing whale. Jamie jumped down into the water, swearing
vociferously with shock at the cold, to help Dare pull out the several crates
and hand them up to Edward, and Dare tipped the now empty dinghy, emptying her
out until she again floated by herself. They returned her with her canvas cover
to the staithe and climbed back aboard the Police cruiser, shivering hard.
Edward backed the cruiser out of the dyke and set a fast course for the <i>Swanning About</i> and <i>Sealark,</i> throwing a rope across to Mick to rope his cruiser to the <i>Swanning About’s</i> other side. Jamie
disappeared fast into the <i>Swanning About</i>’s
cabin towards the shower and Dare took his second shower of the day to warm up
while Mick poured the coffee he’d had ready. Being a publican he had more
discerning tastes and a proper coffee machine in their cabin and Edward
accepted a mug appreciatively, kneeling on his deck to look through the crates.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is probably several nights’ haul. They must
stock pile it for collection. I’ve radioed the land team, they’re talking to
the home owners. It likely is their gardener who’s been enabling this – or
leading it. The day boat was at Ludham Bridge like you thought. It’s being
finger printed and we’ll print the stuff here too. They obviously weren’t
expecting anyone to sleep out on the Broad at this time of year – how did you
two not freeze?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s hot.” Jonah said cheerfully, nodding at Dare
as he remerged in clean clothes, drying his hair. Dare gave him a swift,
affectionate grin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And we had hot water bottles. We’ve spent years out
on water at all times of year so we’re used to it and the <i>Sealark</i>’s heater is surprisingly good. I didn’t expect her to have
the battery power she does, and she’s well insulated despite all the glass.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They’re out here all weathers, all hours of the day
and night, they’re addicted.” Mick said appreciatively. “I’ve seen the Broads
Bug bite many but it’s got these two good and hard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“These look like serious tools.” Dare sat on the <i>Sealark</i>’s side to drink his coffee,
looking down into the crate. “Boatyard tools.”<br />
<br />
“Yes. We probably won’t find all the turned over places until the new season
starts, but at least we can say when the reports come in to come and pick this
lot up.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m freezing.” Jamie complained, coming out of the <i>Swanning About</i>’s bathroom and coming to
pull his thick coat on and huddle up against Mick who put an arm around him.
“And I’ll never get the mud out of those trousers.”<br />
<br />
Mick pulled him close enough to kiss his temple. “We need to think about
getting back anyway, it’s going to be busy tonight. We’ll see you two at one pm
tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You get a decent rest in the morning,” Jamie told
Dare sternly, “A big meal takes up energy to digest and I’ve seen the menu, you
will be eating a big meal. Edward, we’ll keep yours hot until you get off
duty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Looking forward to it.” Edward stood up, coffee mug
in hand to finish it. “I always end up with the Christmas Day shift, no kids,
but at least the overtime pay is good-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His radio buzzed. Edward went to get it and was back
a moment later to hand back his mug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Got to go. One of the yachts has sail issues and is
stuck at Ludham, needs a tow back to Odham. The <i>Edie May</i>?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s Tim Dunkley.” Mick said in surprise. “Is he
ok?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes fine, just cross apparently.”<br />
<br />
“It’s her first real trip since her restoration was finished.”<br />
<br />
“Always takes time to shake a new boat down. I’ll go take him home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We can pick him up on-” Mick began and stopped as
Jamie dug him in the ribs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No we can’t, we need to hurry. The bar staff will
sulk all evening if we leave them short handed and I can’t stand the pouting,
we have to run. Quick quick quick, hurry hurry, chop chop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Mick look surprised but got up obediently. “I think we’re leaving. Dare, Jonah,
see you tomorrow.”<br />
<br />
The Police cruiser pulled away and the <i>Swanning
About’s</i> engine started up, Jamie took in her ropes and waved as they
followed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What was that about?” Dare asked Jonah who was
grinning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Edward Grey. No wife, no kids, single? And he didn’t
blink when Mick kissed Jamie. Not straight guy ‘I’m cool and not flinching’
either. I saw Jamie clock it and he said he likes a bit of match making.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was getting very crisp by the time they moored
the <i>Sealark</i> at the cottage with a
sharpness in the air that promised a night frost. Twilight was gathering fast,
the Christmas lights around the cottage porch and the elderly trees were bright
and twinkling gently against a clear night sky which picked out the sparkle of
the water and the gentle lines of the old cottage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah stooped to fasten the mooring rope as Poppet
leapt down onto the staithe and went to see what wildlife had been in the
garden since she last checked her messages. Dare locked the <i>Sealark</i>, and as Jonah straightened up,
Dare took his hand, pulling Jonah over into his arms to kiss him. Jonah closed
his eyes, breathing him and the night breeze in equal amounts with the peace
and the scent of damp, cold grass and the flowing water. Because tonight life
was good. Not just tolerable but <i>good</i>.
Dare finally let him come up for air and his forehead leaned against Jonah’s
for a moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are so beautiful when you’re excited. Or when
you’re laughing at me up to my knackers in freezing water. Do you know that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah laughed, snatching another kiss. “You don’t
have to work this hard. ‘Let’s go to bed’ would do it, trust me you already
have me very up for it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“In a minute.” Dare held on to him and Jonah felt
him reach into an inside pocket. “I was thinking this year is always going to
be a huge one for us, a big landmark, and it needed marking and celebrating.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was something small and cold in his hand.
Jonah felt it against his left hand and let Dare open his palm, sliding
something gently onto his fourth finger. In the glow of the Christmas lights
and the bright, cold light of the stars overhead Jonah looked down at a silver
ring sitting snugly against the simple silver wedding bands that both he and
Dare wore. Flat and resilient in the style he much preferred: the kind of ring
you could safely wear while sailing and messing around outdoors without
worrying about it – but there was something shaped all the way around the
surface of the band that made it delicate all the same: something subtle,
discreet but there and Jonah made out the feathers, the head and graceful beak.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s a lark.” Dare said in his ear. “I didn’t know
this until I started talking to the silversmith, but larks can sing no matter
what they do. They’re the only bird that can still sing while flying. This is a
one off, it’s the only one of its kind; he made it especially for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Sealark was undulating gently behind them at the
staithe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The boat finds
you at the right time. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah pressed his head against Dare’s, his eyes
blurring as he looked down at the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s beautiful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Perfect match for you then.” Dare kissed him again,
gently, and stooped, lifting Jonah off his feet and into his arms. Jonah put an
arm around his neck as Dare carried him across the dark grass, Poppet trotting
ahead of them to wait by the cottage door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #548dd4; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">The trip here was
torture, you were white as a sheet. We
had to get away from sterile hospital land and find water. For weeks more it was awful, knowing I’d
almost lost you and that you still weren’t here with me, choosing instead to
hide within yourself. Then came a
glimpse, fleeting but there. A touch a
few days later and eventually we connected, our true and deep connection
regrew. This place of escape in the
middle of nowhere, now so much more than that with friends, a community, Poppet
and Sealark. Tonight, Christmas , I
carry you home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #548dd4; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #666666;">The End</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">~</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 28px;"><b>Happy Christmas</b></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #548dd4; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Copyright Rolf and Ranger 2015</span></span></b></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-32951560664343709352015-12-23T23:20:00.000-08:002015-12-25T02:18:12.132-08:00Sealark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2015/12/sealark-september.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">September</span></a></span></b></span></i><br />
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2015/12/sealark-october.html"><span style="color: #20124d;">October</span></a></span></b></span></i><br />
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2015/12/sealark-november.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">November</span></a></span></span></b></span></i><br />
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2015/12/sealark-december.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">December</span></a></span></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div>
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tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-21952817309820027242015-12-23T23:09:00.000-08:002015-12-23T23:09:22.833-08:00Sealark ~ September<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 17.3pt; margin-right: .7pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #5f497a; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;">I slowly stretch in the early
morning light streaming in the window. A
perfect day for sailing and I look forward to it. Dark, chestnut, a long and lanky craft that I
love the feel of. The power and
magnificence, sending shivers down my spine as I lean back over the surf and
soar ......<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 17.3pt; margin-right: .7pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #5f497a; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;">The frame beneath my hands is like my second skin, we become one when
we’re together, able to handle any obstacle in our<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 17.3pt; margin-right: .7pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #5f497a; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;">path. The world and troubles seem
far away, far, far below us.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 17.3pt; margin-right: .7pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 17.3pt; margin-right: .7pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #5f497a; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;">Now get out of bed and come sailing
with me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #5f497a; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #5f497a; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #548dd4; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 48.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">Sea lark<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnJDf0kO8ba_YHB_MVGsVpu485vKlr_ljWXh-m9eQNtNGCMgTcgLut4bAxrpwz3-IfBsXmAtoNdp9hq2jHSVEC0rjsv2tgay3QiU0B-hPa0KAZUdu4pMhyphenhyphenzrLni4zjHs2P5zx_fil3d_H/s1600/the+Cottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnJDf0kO8ba_YHB_MVGsVpu485vKlr_ljWXh-m9eQNtNGCMgTcgLut4bAxrpwz3-IfBsXmAtoNdp9hq2jHSVEC0rjsv2tgay3QiU0B-hPa0KAZUdu4pMhyphenhyphenzrLni4zjHs2P5zx_fil3d_H/s320/the+Cottage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a ten minute drive down narrow and muddy farm
tracks and then across a misty, wet grass field to reach the little cottage by
the river. ‘Little’ was the right
description. Hidden amongst elderly trees and the brown reeds near the river
bank, with the thatched roof so sharply sloping that a man could touch the edge
from the ground, the several hundred year old crumbly red brick cottage was
almost secreted entirely from view. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Parking as slowly and gently as he could, and as
near to the cottage as the wild grass allowed, Dare turned off the engine and
twisted in the driver’s seat of the Range Rover to put a gentle hand on the
knee of the man mostly laying on the back seat with one plaster casted leg
stretched along its length. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m going to get the doors open first. Promise me
you won’t try to move until I get back?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He got a brief nod without eye contact. Jaw tight, both hands were fisted; it was
becoming an unpleasantly familiar indication of pain. Under Dare’s hand and
under the loose sweat pants was the rough and insensible hardness of heavy
plaster cast, not skin, which took away any possible comfort in the gesture. Dare
got out, not shutting the door to avoid shaking the car, and walked up the
narrow path mown through the high, wild grass, under the overhanging branches
of the bent and twisted ancient quince tree and past the tiny handkerchief
vegetable plot that had long since run wild . The key was under the broken flower
pot where the estate manager had promised they would be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a big, old fashioned iron key, and the lock
was heavy to turn over. The wooden door was equally heavy, and swung open into
a stone flagged, uneven floored hall with coat pegs on the wall that led into a
small kitchen where nothing much had changed in sixty years. A dusty wooden
table and chairs filled half the cramped space, and an oil burning stove filled
the hearth. A heavy stone sink was built into one corner alongside a short wooden
work surface, and not much else. One wooden latched door led into the bathroom
and the other into a small stone floored and whitewashed brick walled living
room that completed the entire downstairs floor space, with a sofa that
occupied all of one wall and a large hearth with a fire laid ready. Dare knelt
down on the stone hearth, silently thanking the estate manager for his
thoughtfulness, and dug for matches in his pocket to light the fire from the
screwed up balls of newspaper and the kindling sticks amongst the logs. When it
was lit, he got up and opened the small door off the living room to find the wooden
stairs, narrow but not too steep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He went back to the car, thankful to see that there
had been no attempt to get out of the car unaided. Jonah had the crutches ready
and slid them down to the grass as Dare opened the door, edging himself inch by
inch until Dare could get hold of him and slide him the rest of the way. They
said nothing; they were still learning how to do this without the aid of nurses
and physiotherapists, but Jonah’s colour had noticeably worsened with movement
and once he was leaning in the doorway of the car, Dare took the crutches out
of his hands and dropped them on the grass, stooping to gather up the not
inconsiderable weight of him in the cast, and carry him up the path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Normally, whenever they went anywhere new, it would
be some time before Jonah took any notice of the house. If they’d arrived here
together on any day except today he would want to search the garden, the land
around it, the river, to familiarise himself with the location, and within a
few minutes would be pointing out details that Dare knew he wouldn’t have found
if he’d lived in the place six months. Where they slept was the last thing Jonah
ever cared about; ‘new’ sent his energy sky high. The difference in him now,
hot, shaky, rigidly still with caution, was painful. Dare carried him as swiftly
as possible into the cottage to lay him down on the couch. It was only then he
saw the tears running. It was sheer, helpless pain; Jonah had moved around more
today than he had since the day of the accident, and Dare spoke quickly and
quietly, touching his face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Ok. It’s ok. I’ll get some pillows and we’ll make you comfortable, just keep
still and breathe.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t answer, eyes shut, and Dare jogged back
to the car to grab the stacks of brand new pillows he’d bought yesterday on the
physiotherapist’s advice, plus the stack of folded blankets. The hospital painkillers
had made Jonah horribly travelsick the whole way from Bristol and he still
looked green, it had been a miserable journey for him from start to finish. He
co operated as best he could with Dare propping him, supporting the weight of
his casted leg and covering him thickly with enough blankets to ensure he
wouldn’t go through the additional pain of shivering. The cottage was chilly
after the permanently tropical heating of the hospital and they were in the middle
of deserted Norfolk countryside in the cooling weather of early autumn. When he
was settled, Dare pushed a hand gently through Jonah’s shaggy, dark blond hair,
shaking it back, and went to get the bag of medication and one of the many
bottles of water from the car, sorting out two of the top-up pills. Jonah bolted
them, and Dare put the top on the water bottle, standing it in his reach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m going to unpack the car, love. Shout if you
want me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What he would want most was quiet. Space. It was
what Dare knew he’d been desperate for all the time in the noise and bustle of
the hospital. He’d never complained but the hospital staff didn’t know Jonah: Dare
had seen the bright lights and sounds and nonstop talking and visiting and
touching of nurses grating on him by the hour. This was the first time he’d
been completely by himself in a quiet room in over a month. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the tiny living room with the whitewashed stone
walls, and the uneven stone floor and the crackling fire, listening to the
distant sounds of Dare in and out of the kitchen as he brought things in from
the car, Jonah stared at the ceiling and slowly started to feel his jangled
nerves unwind. The awfulness of the four hour journey here that crossed middle
England from coast to coast. The much, much worse awfulness of the hospital. It
was finally starting to feel – somewhere else. A long way off. Jonah turned his
head to look at the fire flickering and leaping in the hearth, and finally he
shut his eyes and fought the rising urge to sob with more or less sheer relief.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare heard him almost at once. Abandoning the box of
cans on the floor he went into the sitting room, sat down on the sofa to gather
Jonah’s head and shoulders into his lap, sliding his free hand down to take Jonah’s.
Jonah clung to it, clenching his fingers tightly around Dare’s, and it was a
long time before he started to quieten and his grip started to slacken as the
painkillers took effect. It felt like the deepest luxury to be able to touch him
like this, alone and naturally, for the first time in weeks. It was infinitely
better than clumsily trying to cuddle on a hospital bed without curious stares and
interruptions from the nursing staff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He slept almost all afternoon and Dare sat where he
was and dozed with him as the fire warmed the room, letting go of hours of worry
and a day that had started before dawn. There was complete silence in the
cottage. <i>Real</i> silence. No cars in the
distance, no pipes humming, no electrics buzzing, no clocks ticking. Nothing at
all but the soft sounds of the fire which warmed the little room with its soft
wood smoke smell. It was Jonah who roused him by trying to sit up and promptly
hissing with pain. Dare hastily caught him, holding him still until he was
awake enough to remember about the cast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Easy, easy. You don’t bend that way.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t bend at all.” Jonah said tonelessly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a newly pinned and still healing pelvis and a
hip to ankle cast on his left leg, Dare saw his point. He eased out from
underneath Jonah, putting pillows behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It won’t be long before you get rid of the cast,
that’s going to make a big difference.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonah
didn’t reply as they had already been around a few times on their differing
versions of what would and would not make a difference. Dare kissed what he
could reach of Jonah’s familiarly rough, stubbled face and got up, his fingers
lingering on Jonah’s collar, straightening it. It was hard to stop touching
him, hard to stop wallowing in the luxury of being alone with him. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Anything
you need?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t reply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jone.” Dare said warningly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t move or look up. It was something he’d started
to do in the hospital a few times as the only way to escape the situation he
was in, a total refusal to acknowledge anyone or anything, and it was another
reason Dare had wanted them out of the hospital to be able to handle this
firmly enough in the way that would work for Jonah before real withdrawal had any
chance to get a foothold. They had far too much ahead of them to risk it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jone. Stop and think.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nothing. He might as well have not existed at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They were going to come to this sooner or later and Dare
thought it might as well be sooner. He put his hands to his belt and unbuckled
it, aware that Jonah’s eyes abruptly came to life and turned to look at him,
and there was a definite trace of surprise and apprehension in his face. Dare
doubled the belt over and held out a hand to Jonah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hand.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonah
didn’t react, still staring at him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“One.”
Dare began calmly, not leaving long between the count. “Two-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonah
moved automatically, experienced enough in Dare counting to be keen for him
never to reach three. He lifted his hand uncertainly, and Dare took his
fingers, turning his palm up. The belt was a flexible one and Dare used only
the end of it, firmly but with care, to place a brisk swat on Jonah’s palm. It
took all of Jonah’s self control not to yelp as much from surprise as the smart;
Dare’s grasp on his fingers prevented him pulling away and Dare held his palm
still upturned to look at him with an expression that was quite shockingly
normal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“You
answer me when I speak to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonah
started to answer automatically, then swallowed to clear the knot in his throat
and tried again, surprised that his own voice sounded normal too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
“Yes sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It
was weeks since he’d last said that phrase, but it didn’t come at all rustily. This
was a part of a language they both knew; far, far better than the mess they
were currently dealing with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dare
let him go, put his belt back on and straightened the blanket over him before
he went into the kitchen. Jonah slowly rubbed at his now pink and stinging
palm, startled and with a conflicting muddle of feelings that went from
surprise – he and Dare had gone through many similar encounters although they
didn’t normally involve belts or hands – mild outrage</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> at finding
himself in trouble in a situation that ought to give anyone a white card to
behave as they liked, and a tiny part of him oddly happy at the first truly normal
moment in weeks. It was definitely being them. The safe, rooted entity that was
Dare and Jonah. And that was quite a novelty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I've got tomato soup or minestrone, and it’s not the awful tinned
stuff,” Dare called from the kitchen as if nothing had happened. “Which do you
want?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonah
found his mouth opening to reply without his conscious thought, motivated by
his smarting hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Minestrone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I’ll
do it with sandwiches. That ought to buffer your stomach enough against the
pills.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Damn
the bloody pills. Jonah sat, still rubbing at his palm. The smart was fading
rapidly and it felt very different to the dull, nagging ache of his legs and
back. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare
came back with a plate of sandwiches and a pronged toasting fork, spearing one
of the sandwiches and holding the fork out to Jonah, then without ceremony he
simply pushed the whole couch across the floor to within reach of the fire,
putting the plate of sandwiches in Jonah’s lap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Toast those for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he brought the soup in, Jonah was holding the
toasting fork out to the fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There were oil lamps filled and stood on windowsills
ready for lighting but Dare took no notice of them when it began to get dark
outside around five. Just the act of eating tired Jonah out. He argued to stay
on the sofa on the grounds that it was easier, it made more sense, it was more
comfortable, it was less risk to Dare’s back, not saying what they both knew:
that being lifted would hurt and he wouldn’t admit to being afraid of it. Dare
still carried him, as gently and as evenly as was humanly possible, up the staircase
which opened into the one and only room upstairs: the long, low attic bedroom.
It was directly under the cottage eaves, the roof was low enough for Dare to
have to stoop anywhere but in the middle of the room, but it was the biggest
room in the house and it was lit on all four walls by the long, low windows,
the south one of which looked out over the river among the tall reeds behind
the cottage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The single big cast iron bedstead was ancient but holding
the new, soft mattress and mattress toppers that the estate manager had taken
receipt of on Dare’s behalf as he had the sofa downstairs. It would have held
an entire family and probably once had done. Dare had unpacked their belongings
– which were not plentiful, they had always travelled a lot and generally
didn’t carry much more than essentials around with them – and made up the bed
thickly with quilts, pillows and blankets that might hopefully save Jonah pain,
and turned it so that as they lay in bed they could look out over the water,
misty in the gathering dark outside. He laid Jonah down and lit the oil lamp in
the deep windowsill which cast a soft, low light through the big room. It was
cool up here, just short of being actively cold, but the warmth of the fire had
seeped up through the floorboards and the blankets on the bed were thick. Their
clothes had been stowed in the battered and antique dresser against the wall
and in the heavy wooden chest at the foot of the bed, the only other furniture
but for a high backed, elderly armchair by the other window. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare helped Jonah find the multiple night time pills
in their bottles in his shaving kit, undressed him, and used the pile of
pillows to prop him in a position that reduced his pain enough to sleep. It was
a skill he’d learned fast through necessity at the hospital based on trial and
error; it took slow, careful work to do at a pace Jonah could handle without
reducing him to the humiliation of tears of pain and exhaustion; much slower
than busy nurses could do, but it was so much easier here where they had control
over the lights, the furniture, the time and interruptions. He’d wanted Jonah
to have back the normality of them going to a different room at night and
settling to bed together, and it helped as he had known it would help: Jonah
fell asleep like a candle blowing out and within a few minutes Dare knew he was
sleeping more deeply than he had ever seen Jonah manage to do in the weeks in hospital.
Beyond the lamp, the old glass of the window looked out on the darkness and Dare
went to stand by it, bracing one hand against the bare wood of the beam. They
didn’t need curtains here. There was no artificial light around them, just the river and
the miles and miles of marsh, and in the distance Dare could hear the marsh
birds calling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It
was still mid evening when Jonah stirred again and Dare laid his book down,
sitting back in the chair in the corner. He’d got into the habit of starting to
talk at the first sign of movement when Jonah was still coming round in the
ICU; it seemed to help Jonah orient himself more easily and more calmly and
saved him sudden movements that hurt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Hey
love, I’m here. You slept a while, it’s a lot quieter here than it was in
Bristol.”<br />
<br />
It took a moment of blinking before Jonah focused, fighting his way through the
blur of medication, and turned his head to look at the window. He often went
more by the quality of the light outside than he did by a clock, he’d always
had a near supernatural sense of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“It’s
about nine pm.” Dare got up and came to sit with him, careful not to shake the
bed. “How are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Not
great if he was any judge. Jonah’s colour wasn’t good, the cast was heavy and
after a couple of hours laying still in any one position he was always in a lot
of pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“...back.... head.” Jonah said vaguely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By habit, following what the physiotherapists had
taught him, Dare pulled pillows into a line alongside Jonah’s side to support
him and Jonah gathered himself and rolled the very little he could over onto
his side against the pillows. Dare lay down behind him, pushing up his t shirt
to reach his back and rub, working gently over his shoulders and down his spine
until Jonah drifted off again. Dare still took his time, making it an intimate
touch, not that Jonah had the energy or will to care at the moment, but it was
a form of comfort for them both. He was so fit. Well worked muscles over bone,
toned, still hard even after several weeks in bed; he was never out of training
between races. The surgeon had commented more than once that it had been his
fitness that saved him, kept his heart going through the night, gave him the
strength to withstand the shock and the surgery. The surgery had been harsh and
invasive. There was hardware now holding Jonah’s pelvis together and containing
the damage the broken bones had done inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For the first time since before the accident they
shared a bed, laying undressed and under covers together, in full darkness. And
that was bliss. Somewhere around midnight, and again around three am, they went
through the rigmarole of changing position, using the bottles the hospital had
supplied them with to avoid Jonah having to get in and out of bed to a bathroom,
drinking the tea from the thermos flask that Dare brought to bed with them, and
taking the next set of medications. Jonah said nothing more than monosyllables
through shut teeth and appeared to want to go back to sleep as quickly as
possible, but once Dare woke and found him lying awake in the darkness, eyes
open, face immobile, but tears running slowly and steadily down his face. It
was one of the most awful things he’d ever seen. He slid the three inches of
space between them to spoon him and got his arms around Jonah, very gently
helping him shift position and he found Jonah’s hand, intertwined his fingers
with Jonah’s to grasp it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Breathe. Breathe Jone. Slowly, deeper than that.
That’s it. That’s the way.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It had been very difficult to hold him like he
needed in a narrow hospital bed to be able to help, with lights on in the
corridor outside, people passing by and staff in and out. Here, in a decent
sized double bed and under the covers together in a dark, quiet room it was
very different and Dare felt Jonah start to calm against him as his breathing
deepened. But it still gave little sense of reaching him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well? Isn’t she
beautiful?” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The brand new, long,
white yacht was graceful but it wasn’t her that Dare was looking at. Jonah
laughed at him, throwing him the snatcher, and Dare helped him guide the yacht
close to the board walk and tie her off at stern and bow. Jonah took a moment
more to finish bringing down and packing away the sail, feet and long legs bare
under the white shorts and white and blue wind cheater, shaggy dark golden hair
lashing in the wind. He badly needed a shave, he was alive on the excitement of
the wind and the racing water, animate with enthusiasm. Still barefoot, he
leapt up onto the dock and Dare grabbed him, taking advantage of the early
morning and the deserted marina to kiss him, which with Jonah was always a thorough
and prolonged business that he expected your full attention in. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Isn’t she
fantastic? Don’t you want to try her?” Jonah demanded when he finally came up
for air. His face was cold in contrast to the heat of his breath on Dare’s
face, he tipped his head back and his dark blue eyes were alight with
excitement that was contagious and the always there Jonah sparkle, as though at
some deep level there was something about life that he found hugely funny. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She moves like
a swallow, come on.”<br />
<br />
“It’s five am, don’t you want something to eat first?” Dare protested, not
trying very hard. “You must have been up
half the night.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It was light by
four am, I couldn’t wait a moment longer to see how she did on open water. Come
on.” Jonah towed him towards the dock and Dare followed him down onto the yacht’s
deck, ducking out the way as Jonah began to free ropes. There was still
boatyard sawdust on her. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He sailed like
he did everything else. Artlessly, without effort, with his whole body and his
whole being involved. Helping where needed, Dare mostly sat on the deck and
watched Jonah handle the sails and lean back at impossible angles into the
wind, sending the light craft flying out into the harbour where the breeze was
strong and surf was in the air. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Later,
much later in the little marina flat that Dare had rented for the next three
months, Jonah dozed, sprawled face down and naked on the bed in the sunshine
streaming through the French windows. Tanned and weathered, toned from near
constant work on boats all year round, well worked muscles showed in his
shoulders, in his calves, in the squared curves of his buttocks and the lines
of his long arms, and his skin was as golden as his hair. Dare lay beside him
for a while, running a finger slowly up and down his back. Periodically Jonah
twitched without waking, but he loved to be touched, like a cat. With teeth. Maybe
a panther. Or a tiger. You could make Jonah Trevelyan growl, snarl and even
purr if you knew him well enough. Dare ran his fingers through Jonah’s wavy
hair, always wild, and thick and soft enough that was impossible not to touch,
and dragged himself up off the bed with his own muscles protesting slightly at
the workout Jonah had just put him through. The man came in off the water
without his energy abated in the slightest, sailing had a stronger effect on
Jonah than a bottle of Viagra. He stretched his back, and absently picked up
the Nikon D3 camera lying on the table, checking the frame, and then aiming the
lense at Jonah. Jonah didn’t stir at the quiet click; he was far too used to
it. Dare pulled on a pair of shorts and took the camera with him out onto the
balcony. The marina was starting to get busy now it was mid morning, boats of
all kinds were moving on the water, and a small fleet of sails were gathering
just beyond the harbour. The racing fraternity, starting to collect and train
in earnest with just a few weeks left to go. Dare spotted the Canadian logo and
the French one in amongst the yachts in the distance. He picked his angles,
taking a couple more frames before he left the camera on the table and went
into the little galley kitchen to put the coffee percolator on. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Coffee and
Danish pastries would get Jonah out of bed when he was three days dead. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His hair looked lank and darker, perhaps because his
face was so white. He’d had no colour in his face since the day of the surgery;
according to the medics because of pain, drugs, blood loss and shock. Dare very
lightly smoothed some stray strands back, careful not to move the bed or risk
waking him. He’d had maybe five hours of good sleep on and off through the
night, and that was better than he’d ever managed in all their time the hospital.
He still smelled of hospital disinfectant and the stuff they’d painted on the
surgical wounds, a foreign smell that wasn’t Jonah. He was coming to the end of
this current sleep cycle, it was approaching seven am and the next dose of pain
meds would be needed soon. Leaving him sleeping, Dare dressed and went
downstairs, raking out the fire in the grate in the living room, setting a new
fire, and turning up the stove in the kitchen. The thick walls of the stone
cottage had held the heat surprisingly well through the night, it was quite
comfortably warm this morning. The cottage front door was a stable door and Dare
unlocked it and folded the top half back, letting in cold fresh air and the misty
morning outside. The trees were starting to turn, gold and yellow appearing in
amongst the green, and the mist rising from the ground and the river promised
the first frost not far away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pantry was full of the odds and ends he’d
stocked it with yesterday. Dare looked around the shelves for a few minutes,
considering. He’d spent several days shopping in the few hours snatched from
being with Jonah in the hospital, ignoring the prices and looking for anything at
all that might tempt Jonah into wanting to eat, and had collected shelves full
of small things, snacks, nibbles. In the hospital it had been a constant battle
to prevent well intentioned nurses from dumping overloaded trays of
institutional slop on Jonah’s lap which ensured he couldn’t stand the thought
of eating for hours afterwards. They’d
both lost more than a few pounds. Dare made coffee and left it to warm, until
the scent began to steal through the cottage, put Danish pastries into the
warming oven and went upstairs, taking the next set of pills with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah was awake, and his hands were fisted again,
the giveaway of how much pain he was containing. Dare sat down carefully on the
side of the bed, holding out the pills and handing Jonah the bottle of water
from the night stand. Jonah knocked back the pills, not looking at him while Dare
watched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s damp outside this morning, but it’s not
raining.”<br />
<br />
Jonah’s total lack of response said it all. The weather had always been the
first thing he was interested in on waking. Dare peeled the bed covers away,
slid his arms under Jonah and lifted him as smoothly as he could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come and dress downstairs by the stove, it’s
warmer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The physiotherapists had emphasised the need for
movement and weight bearing, and for the first few weeks Jonah had been avidly
keen to do everything they asked of him and as much more as he could manage,
irrespective of pain or exhaustion. Bad news and relentless lack of success had
beaten that out of him. Once Dare had helped Jonah to take off his nightwear –
or more accurately undressed him since he found bending very painful – Dare
filled a bowl with hot water, and put a towel, wash cloth and a bottle of
liquid soap down in his reach, standing him with both hands on the kitchen table,
rigidly upright in the cast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You wash, I’ll get you clean clothes.”<br />
<br />
Jonah looked at the bowl and towel without expression. Dare went past him as if
he hadn’t seen and for the several minutes it took to find underwear, sweat
pants, a clean sweatshirt and t shirt and thick socks, hoped. When he came back
into the kitchen it was apparent that Jonah hadn’t moved at all, not even to
put the washcloth in the water. This lack of activity was so alarmingly unlike
him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare pulled out the chair next to him and wrung the
washcloth out in the water, soaped it and put it into Jonah’s hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jone. Wash.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah might have asked why. He might have said no.
Actually he said nothing at all and his hand didn’t move. He was shivering
slightly in the draft from the door, and Dare draped a towel around his
shoulders and took the wash cloth from him, letting this battle go by. Jonah stood
and co operated silently with being washed, being put into clean clothes and
being shaved, without ever lifting his eyes. Dare ran a brush through his hair
when he was done, put a hand under his chin and kissed him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Want breakfast inside or outside?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Silence. Jonah still didn’t look up. He hadn’t said
a word yet this morning. Dare took the coffee off the stove. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jonah. Inside or outside?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Out.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was said dully, without interest, in a tone that
suggested the swatting of an infuriating fly. Dare opened the lower half of the
kitchen door into the garden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There were several battered, slightly musty smelling
recliner deckchairs in the store room. Dare took one to the garden by the river
and set it up at its furthest reclining position before he went back to the
kitchen, collecting several blankets and a thick fleece, and Jonah’s crutches. Jonah
accepted being helped into the fleece and his trainers without comment, and Dare
didn’t ask; he simply put the crutches one under each arm. It took a minute for
Jonah to get his balance and he went several shades paler. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You walk down there,” Dare said with all the
cheerful authority he could muster, “I’ll bring your breakfast.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t move, but he looked up and his eyes
were bitterly furious. “I’m not bloody walking anywhere.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He couldn’t sit down or get off the crutches without
help. Which made this effectively blackmail. Hating himself for doing it, Dare
poured coffee into a thermal mug and waited by the door, which was near enough
to grab Jonah if he lost balance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on love. The physios said the more you did,
the easier it would get.”<br />
<br />
“I doubt any of them have ever bust a pelvis.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They’ll have seen plenty of people who have, and you
walked every day in hospital. The quicker you do it, the quicker it’s done.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sod off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was very little emotion of any kind in Jonah’s
voice or eyes; it was all very quiet. Only a few weeks ago a conversation like
this would have inevitably involved things being hurled down for emphasis and
hands banged on surfaces to accentuate key points; Jonah was expressive in
whatever he did. Dare would have gladly welcomed a little banging and shouting
this morning. Instead Jonah looked him, blue eyes without expression or warmth,
then he visibly gritted his jaw and dragged himself towards the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It took him several minutes, and his breath was coming
between his teeth at the end of the twenty feet to the chair. Dare shadowed him,
trying to do it casually without hovering, and put the thermal mug down on the
grass to take the crutches and lower him into the recliner. Jonah was still
breathing in tight gasps, and Dare crouched down, putting his hands on Jonah’s
shoulder and arm, gripping in the same way that often Jonah had gripped onto
him in the hospital. Sometimes he’d seriously thought Jonah would crack his
fingers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well done. Well done love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Whiter than a sheet, he was sweating. Drops were
standing out on his forehead. Dare brushed at them, and picked up the coffee,
putting the mug into Jonah’s hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll bring you a book and your breakfast.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He brought a plastic bucket too, which upturned
served as a table surface within Jonah’s reach, on which Dare put a plate with
small, neatly cut pieces of warm Danish and one of the comedy fantasy books Jonah
often took with him on trips when he wanted something easy and escapist to
read. Jonah had his hands cupped around the coffee mug and it looked as if he’d
drunk a little. Dare tucked his cell phone into the pocket of his sweats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Just in case you yell and I don’t hear you. Got everything you need?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
For the first time Dare found himself hesitating to leave Jonah beside the
water. There was a kind of stupid, primitive dread when he looked at Jonah’s
face and the crutches, which he swallowed down and didn’t let reach his face.
Instead, he went back to the cottage, not looking to see if Jonah ate. Trust,
to Jonah, was important. Space, to Jonah, was hugely important. He always,
always needed time alone, wherever they were, whatever they did. This was what
mattered to him, and he hadn’t had it for so long that Dare was starting to be
afraid of the effect it had had on him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare sat down in the kitchen, alone, and when he put
his head in his hands, discovered that he was shaking slightly. Jonah and
water. If you loved him you understood it; it was something he needed like
breathing, and it was another reason Dare had been so desperate to get him out
of Bristol hospital. They were used to being apart for weeks at a time when
they were working, they were both people who could handle alone time, but for Jonah,
the presence of living, moving water and time to be alone to feel it were vital.
He’d sail or walk whenever he wanted time to himself; he’d never drive if he
could help it. He loved the outdoors. To be out in it and to be touching it, to
be somewhere that other people weren’t, the wilder the better, impervious to
weather or temperature, it spoke to him at gut level. According to Jonah his
parents used to comment that he had been like this since he was a toddler; it
was how Jonah saw and knew about sights that other people mostly missed. Things
he’d pointed out and shown to Dare many times that he loved and that filled him
with energy and his delight in it. Schools of dolphins. Bird nests. Fox cubs
playing. Badger sets. Quiet places where other people had never been. It was a
lot of the reason why they were here of all places where the next nearest human
being was several miles away, where they were surrounded by wild water and
wetland, the exact magic Jonah most loved. And yet it was so damned hard to
just leave him be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare occupied himself by making the bed, tidying and
cleaning, which in a cottage this size, even though he was obsessively thorough
about it, took barely an hour. When his cell phone rang, he grabbed at it,
already heading for the door before he saw the name on the screen and stopped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian.”<br />
<br />
“Hey, I meant to leave a message, I didn’t think you’d have this turned on.” His
brother’s voice was deep and compassionate. “I just wanted to see how you two
were doing and if there was anything you needed. How’s Jonah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“....Not good.” Dare pulled out one of the kitchen
chairs and sat down, leaning heavily on the scrubbed wooden table. “Still in a
lot of pain, although he’s fractionally less withdrawn than he was at the
hospital.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He will come around now that it’s just the two of
you.”<br />
<br />
Ian had seen them in the hospital, he’d spent several nights with them when
things were at their worst and he loved Jonah. He understood. It was tempting
to give in to the small, quiet voice that wanted to pour out all the doubts,
and the fact he’d had to lie up, down and sideways to the health team about
where he intended to take Jonah. If the medics had realised it was a small
cottage without electricity in the middle of nowhere with stairs, they probably
would have refused to discharge him at all, they never would have understood.
Rationally they were quite right. What kind of a man brought their barely
mobile partner to a place like this? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The kind of man
that knows Jonah.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is a true Jonah kind of place.” He said with
cheer he didn’t feel. <br />
<br />
“You mean without one single modern convenience, in the middle of nowhere and
surrounded by water.” Ian said dryly. “Yeah, I know all about Jonah’s ‘kind of
places’, I’ve camped with you two. Is there anything you need, like a roof or the
discovery of fire? Anything I can do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, we’ve got it all in hand thanks.” Dare got up.
“I need to go. Jonah’s outside, I want to keep an ear out for him.”<br />
<br />
“Give him my love?” Ian said gently. “And try not to worry. Take care of
yourself, you know where I am if you need me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was an otter a few feet away from Jonah,
pottering on the grass. Delighted since they were rare to see first hand – and
exactly what Jonah would love - Dare stopped where he was, just out of sight at
the corner of the house. Jonah was watching it intently, and he had made
himself so still that the otter was treating him with the same lack of caution
he was treating the fence post. Jonah had the gift of disappearing into the
scenery when he was watching something wild. Seagulls and squirrels would take
food from his hands, an otter apparently would explore the lawn and take no
notice of him. After a minute Dare silently went inside, found his camera hung
with his jacket and came back outside, crouching again on the grass to focus
the lens and take the picture; first of the otter, and then with both the otter
and Jonah in the frame. Jonah always teased him about keeping cameras around
like other people kept their car keys. One of the nurses at the hospital had
looked at him with outright shock when she caught him snapping a picture in the
ICU of Jonah, semi conscious and attached to machines Dare didn’t even have
names for. It was difficult to explain that if one’s career involved seeing
life through a camera frame, one tended to need to see it that way in order to
process it, and it had always struck Dare as strange that people only
photographed the good times in their lives, when sometimes it was the difficult
events in life that were the most pivotal, that you most needed to be able to
look back on, if only to reassure yourself that they were over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He didn’t go closer until the otter pattered back to
the water’s edge and slipped in, swimming rapidly away in the murky water. Jonah’s
eyes were alive and intent as he watched it go; Dare saw the real spark in
them… but his hands were clenched again. Dare sat down on the bucket beside
him, looking with him at the brown river running past, through the wet grass
and the high reeds on the opposite bank. Not pretty in a conventional sense, but
wildly beautiful in a lonely kind of way. There was utter silence out here. No
cars, no voices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How are you doing? Are you warm enough?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t answer. Dare put a hand inside his
blanket and inside the neck of his sweatshirt. He was warm. And rigid. Two
hours away from the next dose of medication and he was still in serious pain.
In years of watching Jonah sail, which was a career that brought more than its
fair share of bumps, bruises and injuries, Dare had seen him with a broken
collarbone, numerous broken fingers, cracked ribs, eight stitches in his scalp,
and copious bumps and bruises, none of which had particularly slowed him up or
stopped him sailing. He’d never seen this strained, set white look before the
accident, and he hadn’t known Jonah’s mobile face could do it. He pulled out his cell phone and got up, voice
crisp as the operator service answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’d like the number for the local GP practice for Odham,
Norfolk. The Broads villages. Thank you.”<br />
<br />
Jonah looked up at him and Dare put a hand out to touch his face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello? I’d like an urgent home visit please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t need to see anybody.” Jonah said loudly. Dare
didn’t pause. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My partner was released from hospital in Bristol
yesterday with a surgically repaired pelvis and a fractured femur, and the pain
management plan we were given isn’t working out. Yes. It’s Eel Cottage beyond Odham
Hall. Thank you.”<br />
<br />
Apparently Odham Hall was known to the local GP practice who appeared to be
more used to travelling to see their patients than most town GPs. Dare pocketed
the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’ll be here this afternoon, they can’t be
specific about the time.”<br />
<br />
“I don't need a doctor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“We
do.” Dare said matter of factly. “I won’t believe you have to hurt this much.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you want me comatose on drugs?” Jonah demanded.
“Is that what you want?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dare
sat back down on the bucket beside him, getting hold of his hand and keeping
hold when Jonah tried to pull away. “No, but we can’t just press a button and
get a nurse to pop in and talk to us. We moved you a lot yesterday, you’re in
different positions here than you were in the hospital and this is too much for
you. I want it reviewing properly.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah shrugged, not looking at him. “I'm getting used
to it, you can too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Trying
to challenge him rationally didn’t help; it was ridiculous to expect him with
the way he felt right now to be able to change to a more positive view point simply
because he was argued with. Dare lifted their joined hands to kiss the back of Jonah’s,
getting up and going back to the positive, definite voice he’d been working on
all day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“We're
talking to this guy and seeing if he can help. He's coming over this afternoon.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I used to get a vote.” Jonah said coldly. “When did
that stop?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When you turned that colour and the pain got this
bad.” Dare picked up his empty cup. “Ready for more coffee?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m not talking to anybody.” Jonah warned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .7pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -9.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>I know you’re in
there. I feel your pain – every bump,
every bruise, every break, as keenly as if it were my own. I’m here, if only you’d talk to me. You lived!
You could have given up so many times, yet you struggled for
consciousness, for every breath. I’m
here. We’ve got each other. You’re my partner, my love, my soul
mate. I still have you. I still have you. Damnit, come back to me.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .7pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -9.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .7pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -9.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #4f6228; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><b>I answer yes, sir, as he’d expect. He looks a moment longer, assuring himself
the message is delivered, then in the blink of an eye, he’s gone. My thoughts turn inward again, a deep, dark
pit I circle endlessly. The pain is
constant, never ending. I lie where you
put me, unable to move myself, or even turn over. I yearn for you but don’t want to burden you.
Tears come, not the words. We repeat this idiot dance and will do it all
again forever.</b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The medic parked alongside the range rover shortly
after one pm, Dare heard the engine and went out to meet him. He was a short,
middle aged man who looked as if he’d once been a rugby player, with broad
shoulders and a nose that had been broken and not well repaired at some point.
His hand shake was short and to the point and he had a broad Norfolk accent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Tim Dunkley. And you’re not the one with the broken
pelvis.”<br />
<br />
“Adare Brody. No, that would be my partner.” Dare led the way up the path past
the cottage. “He was released from the Bristol Royal Infirmary yesterday, we
were in there almost five weeks following a sailing accident. He broke his
pelvis in two places and fractured his femur near to the head, all three breaks
were pinned. He’s still in a cast but the pain meds we were given on discharge aren’t
touching him.”<br />
<br />
“Just the two broken bones?” the man said shortly. They were approaching Jonah,
who didn’t look towards them but Dare saw him stiffen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Closed head injury,” Dare said steadily, trying not
to think about the hours of scans and the dread and waiting that had involved,
“He was unconscious for a few days, but the scans were clear when they were
repeated a week ago. And he was in cold and rough water for several hours before
he was picked up, we were told his heart was strained.”<br />
<br />
“That was the word they used? Strained?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Myocardial damage. They did a lot of tests and said
his heart was enlarged, there was reduced efficiency, and that it would take a
few months before we could establish what that was going to mean long term. The
priority was the acute injuries.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ok.” Dunkley was about to stick a hand out to Jonah,
offering to shake, and then looked hard at Jonah and his whole face changed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good God, you’re the yachter! Trevelyan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The change in his voice caught Jonah’s attention, he
looked up and Dunkley snorted like a horse, with open admiration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I saw you win the Olympic silver, man. I stayed up half
the night watching that race! It was bloody marvellous, I’ve never seen sailing
like it. I’ve read every article I could lay my hands on about your yachts and
designs, I read all about the specifications on your design for the <i>Blue Swallow</i>. You don’t have her here do
you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He nodded hopefully towards the boat house belonging
to the cottage, further down on the river bank. Jonah shook his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She came apart during the race, there wasn’t enough
left to salvage. The patent’s being approved for more to be built to her spec.”<br />
<br />
“I’m sorry.” Dunkley said with real feeling, and he was the first person Dare
had heard truly commiserate with Jonah about the loss of his yacht rather than
the injuries, understanding as another sailor the significance of how that must
feel to him. “She was a beautiful thing, looked like you could turn her on a
sixpence. I’d love to see the design. Tim Dunkley, it’s a great pleasure to
meet you. I sail whenever I can myself - nothing like the Swallow and it’s different
here on the Broads to open oceans, but this is a bit of a special place. Have
you sailed much around here?”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He couldn’t have done more to recommend himself to Jonah
if he’d tried. Dare answered, sincerely grateful to the man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, we’ve never been to the Broads before.”<br />
<br />
“Believe me, there’s nowhere like it.” Dunkley stood his bag on top of the
bucket and opened it, taking out a blood pressure cuff. “Once you’ve sailed
here the bug bites. Try the Wroxham broad, that’s the best one for speed, but I
like the backwaters around here just as much. I’ll want to see the packets of
everything he’s taking please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare went inside to get them, and Dunkley wrapped
the cuff around Jonah’s arm, crouching on the wet grass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s bothering you most?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Him.” Jonah said bluntly, nodding after Dare. Dunkley
gave a short grunt of laughter, watching the dial. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I think he got a mention in one of the interviews
you did before last year’s Transatlantic race?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He takes the pictures for most of the articles.” Jonah
shifted with great care in the chair as Dunkley let the cuff deflate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well that’s high as a bloody kite. How long does
your surgeon want that leg casted if it’s pinned?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah looked up to Dare for help as Dare came back,
and Dare offered the boxes of pills to Dunkley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He was semi conscious and confused for a while with
the head injury, and he was thrashing around. The surgeon wanted to keep the
work stabilised. We talked about having it removed before we left the hospital,
he had a brace on his pelvis which they took off and the physios thought we’d find
it easier with the leg cast off too, but the surgeon was keen to try and keep
it in place another ten days.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s a bit circumspect, the pin work should hold
it and the physios were right. It’s bloody hard with a busted pelvis dragging a
cast around like this outside a hospital.” Dunkley put the cuff away,
considering. “What did he make of your pain levels?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That it would get easier, and to try to bear with
the cast.”<br />
<br />
“Well I’d like to talk to the man myself.” Dunkley said bluntly, “But I’d say
you’ve got three choices here. One, carry on as you are and I’ll try adjusting
the meds. Two, I’ll get you admitted to Norwich hospital where they can manage
your pain and you won’t need to move around. Or three, we see whether the cast
can come off. I’d say at this stage the priority is for you to get moving again
and you can’t do that weighted down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m not going back to any hospital.” Jonah said
shortly. Dunkley got up, taking the pill packets with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Options one or three then. Can I use your phone?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare took him back to the kitchen and handed him the
cell phone and the number he’d been keeping to hand since they left the ward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s the ward we were on, that’s the physio
department. Can I make you some tea?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’d love some.” Dunkley dumped his bag on the table
and squinted at the phone, starting to dial. The conversation he had with
Bristol hospital took some time and ranged between several people, and Dare’s
respect for the man’s skills rose steadily as he listened; Dunkley had spoken
to Jonah only for a few minutes but he hadn’t missed much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s all very well and I’ve not seen the scans,” Dunkley
said at one point to someone in Bristol, “But you’re talking about a possible
two percent pay off in outcome. I’m talking about informed choices and the
man’s entitled to make them.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare put a mug of tea down on the table and Dunkley
nodded thanks to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ok. Ok well we’ll do that. Yes. Thank you. Cautious
surgeon.” he said dryly to Dare, handing over the phone, picking up the tea and
following Dare back into the garden as Dare took the other mug out to Jonah. “Got
his reputation to protect, especially with sports celebrities who may go
talking to newspapers if things don’t heal right. And caution’s no bad thing,
but cutters get fixated on the bit they’re repairing and forget it belongs to a
person. I spoke to a few people,” he went on as Jonah glanced up. “Including
the physiotherapist who was treating you and she’d seen the most recent scans. I’d
advise you to talk to the surgeon himself and get his view, but there’ll be no
significant difference in the outcome if you want rid of the casts now. I think
you’d do better with pain and mood if you could get up and mobile, and I think
it’s worth working out what your priorities are.”<br />
<br />
“If you mean ‘do I realise this won’t get a lot better no matter what we do’,
it’s ok. I do.” Jonah said flatly. “My heart’s buggered. They told me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They talked to us about some of the long term
options,” Dare began, and Jonah interrupted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, be honest. They told us there <i>are</i> no long term options. This isn’t
just a case of waiting out a broken bone, I am never going to fix, so there’s
no point in worrying over how perfectly the bones heal. Let’s be bloody
realistic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s is a lot to deal with.” Dunkley said bluntly,
and Dare appreciated the tone that was neither sympathetic nor uncaring. “But
yes, I think comfort and function is more important. I’ll write you a
prescription for transdermal patches, slow pain killer release through the skin
like a nicotine patch. You can use the other meds to top up as needed. Where’s
home? I’ll need to write to your GP.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We don’t have one, no fixed address. We travel
around and mostly we rent accommodation wherever we’re staying.” Dare
explained. “What about the cast if we wanted it off? We’re not keen to travel
unless we’ve got no choice, yesterday’s trip was hard going.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dunkley snapped his bag shut and handed him the
prescription. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re in luck. You’re out in the sticks here so
the local practices are set up and staffed to do minor procedures themselves. I
can bring my team’s physiotherapist out with me and we can do it here. I do
strongly advise that you talk to the surgeon first before you make a final decision.
I’ve left a message for him to call me too.”<br />
<br />
“Thank you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pleasure.” Dunkley stuck out a hand to Jonah again,
who took it without looking at him. “I’ll call back tomorrow afternoon.”<br />
<br />
Dare watched him get back in his car before he crouched down beside Jonah,
leaning on the arm of his chair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What do you think?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t answer. Dare put a hand inside his blankets.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You still warm enough? I’ll bring you another drink
and I’ll go get this prescription. It shouldn’t be more than fifteen minutes,
the village isn’t far. Do you need anything?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Still no answer. Dare brought him water and another
coffee, and a bottle, which he left discreetly on Jonah’s bucket table top,
stooping to kiss him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I won’t be long love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Odham village looked as if it had escaped from a
Christmas card. Dare got the prescription filled at a tiny Victorian Chemists
in the high street where an elderly lady chatted as she served him. A small
post office was attached to a coffee shop on the village green which was also
on the river front, and which obviously made most of its living during the
tourist season. Boats were tied up along the moorings and late season holiday
makers were visible on the decks and in the cabins, going about their day. A
delicatessen stood next to a small butchers shop, and several tourist tat shops
which were catering for the small groups making the most of the late September
sunshine, and a local was steering a small boat up river, standing in the prow
with a bag of groceries at his feet. Dare glanced at his watch and bought
chocolate, pate and fresh bread from the deli before he drove back up the lane
out of the village and down the narrow track that led to the cottage. Jonah was
sitting exactly as he had been when Dare left, hands around the coffee mug. Dare
went down the garden to him, unwrapping the patches and reading through the
guidelines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“These look straight forward. One per forty eight
hours. The village is pretty, they seem to have most essentials.”<br />
<br />
Jonah looked down, watching Dare open his shirt and put the patch on his stomach.
Dare tucked his shirt back in and stooped to lift him, taking a moment to let Jonah
prepare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come have some lunch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The bread was still warm, baked fresh that morning. Dare
stood Jonah at the table in the kitchen, giving him a moment to get his balance.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Take your coat off, hang it up and I’ll help you
get comfortable on the sofa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t move, and went on not moving while Dare
sliced and spread the bread with pate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jonah.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No. He couldn’t have made it much clearer. Dare put
the slices on a plate and put the pate away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jonah. Coat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One handed Jonah yanked the zip free and shrugged,
letting the coat drop on the floor with frank, bitter defiance. Dare licked
butter off his fingers and picked up the wooden spoon from the counter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He
did this time see Jonah’s face change and look a lot less grim and a lot more
apprehensive. He still took Jonah’s fingers and swatted his palm lightly but firmly,
a brisk three times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He
saw Jonah rubbing his hand as he picked Jonah’s coat up, then Jonah’s breathing
abruptly fractured as the walls came down and Dare put the spoon and coat down
on the table to get hold of him as he started to cry. There was no lead-in to
it, he just burst like a dam breaking. Jonah clung around his neck, sobbing so
hard that he shook all over, and Dare hugged him, well aware this had nothing
to do with a mild smart on his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I
can’t do it.” Jonah choked out into his neck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Can’t
do what?” Dare said against his ear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Anything!
You know what I was sitting out there thinking while you were gone? </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> If I fell I’d never get myself up again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’ve got a phone,” Dare said uselessly, knowing
that wasn’t what Jonah meant. “I wouldn’t have been gone more than fifteen
minutes at the most, I wouldn’t leave you any longer no matter what. I wouldn’t
have left you at all if we didn’t need the prescription.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m fucking <i>useless</i>.”
Jonah said quietly and passionately into his neck. Dare shook his head, holding
Jonah tightly in the way that had always in the past made him feel safer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>No</i>. This
is going to get better, this is only temporary. You’re not going to stay as
immobile as you are right now.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It doesn’t feel like it.”<br />
<br />
“I know.” Dare kissed him over and over again, holding him close. “I know. Now, today, you
hurt and you’re mad and you hate it. So let's deal with now. You're taking the
meds. You're moving around. You're resting. You're doing all the right things
and we <i>will</i> get through this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“’Getting
through’ isn’t living. The doctor called me a racer-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stopped, breathing very hard. The word had
clearly hurt. Dare rubbed his back, keeping his voice quiet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“You
are. Of course you are, those are achievements no one can ever take away from
you. Whatever happens, all that knowledge, all that skill, it's never going
anywhere, is it? You are always going to be Jonah Trevelyan.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonah
didn’t answer. It was few seconds more before Dare realised something had
changed, he wasn’t just sobbing; he was literally gasping for breath, panting,
and his hands were starting to bite on Dare’s arms in panic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Dare-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“It’s
ok.” Dare scooped him up and carried him through to the sitting room and the sofa
where he sat down, helping Jonah lay flat with his head in Dare’s lap. “It’s ok.
It’s all right, I’ve got you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonah’s
eyes were terrified. Dare held him, stroking his head and face, keeping a hold
on his own nerves by brute force. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“It’s
ok. Deep breaths, come on. Slowly.”<br />
<br />
It felt like several years that Jonah was panting, but it was probably nearer
to thirty seconds before he began to breathe more normally and Dare relaxed his
grip, aware that they were both trembling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“It’s
all right.” he said with all the confidence could muster. “This is the longest
you’ve been awake in days, you’re tired and you hurt like hell and you’re very stressed
out, you’re entitled to get in a state.”<br />
<br />
Jonah clung to him when he tried to move and Dare hugged him, sliding out from
underneath him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I’m
coming right back. Let me get us something to eat and some tea and then we
don’t have to move again.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s his heart.” Dunkley said bluntly. “It’s
damaged, it’s not as efficient as it was and it’s not keeping oxygen levels up
as easily. Under stress, he’s going to find he gets breathless. It’s only been
a few weeks and there’s additional strain from pain, being tired and hauling
the cast about. Give it some time and he’ll start to recognise what’s
happening, then he won’t panic when he feels it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Time. There was that word again. <br />
<br />
At least the cast was a solvable problem. Jonah had been scared enough last
night to actually manage a few sentences in conversation about it, and his
surgeon responded to their request for a call back around mid evening. While he
wasn’t enthusiastic, when pressed the surgeon agreed that the cast was now
precautionary rather than necessary. Dunkley came at lunchtime the next day
with a soft eyed, spectacularly beautiful dark haired boy in his twenties, who
triggered Dare’s gaydar on sight, smiled at Dare within seconds of arriving in
a way that said yes, he fully appreciated their situation, and who approached Jonah
with so much warmth that even Jonah took his eyes off the machinery Dunkley was
unpacking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s a real pleasure to meet you! I’ve heard all
about you and your yachts and your medals. My other half’s beside himself with
jealousy I’m getting to meet you in person.”<br />
<br />
“Four fifths of the villagers around here own boats.” Dunkley interjected.
“This is Jamie, our practice physiotherapist who’s living in sin with the
publican at The Swan in the village. I know he looks about twelve but he’s
willing to do the rural work out here, and not many people are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And Mick and I get to sail most weekends.” Jamie
said easily. “Shall I make tea, Jonah? This will take a while and I’m sure you’d
rather hold Dare’s hand than mine. Dare, you might want to get some clean clothes
ready for him to change into? And things to wash with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So the locals were accustomed to openly gay couples
around the place. That was good to know. Dunkley certainly didn’t look twice at
Jonah hanging onto Dare while he started work with some power saw implement and
Jamie made tea, brought it in with him and sat on the arm of the couch on Jonah’s
other side, chattering cheerfully about tides and the pub and business in the
winter, and periodically lending a hand to Dunkley without making a fuss about
it. Both he and Dunkley acted as though removing this kind of cast was
something they did every day, and about ten minutes later they eased the last
section of it away from the livid marks of stitches over the closed incision
along his thigh. Jamie helped Dare to wash the last remains of plaster of Paris
and powder from Jonah’s skin, careful over the several abraded spots where the
plaster had rubbed, and dressed him in loose boxers and sweat pants. Jamie then
took Jonah’s arms before he had time to panic or realise and Dare moved to help
him lift Jonah to his feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As soon as they had Jonah standing, Dare understood
why; the sheer fear in Jonah’s face was awful, he obviously didn’t trust the
repair, but as Jamie steadied him and then eased off his grasp leaving only Dare
to steady him, Dare felt Jonah start to take his weight and test his balance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How painful?” Jamie asked. Jonah hesitated a
moment, shifting his weight very carefully from foot to foot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“.....it’s there, but not terrible. That’s<i> way </i>better than with the cast on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not so much weight to carry.” Jamie moved behind Jonah,
resting his hands on Jonah’s hips and studying them. “It is going to hurt,
you’ve got weight pulling above and below on healing bones, but the pins are
going to hold it steady. You’re standing nice and even too. Where are your
crutches?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Here.” Dare collected them, handing them to Jonah
one at a time, aware Jonah looked extremely nervous, but Jamie kept hold of him
and Jonah moved initially very carefully and then with more confidence across
the floor. It obviously wasn’t comfortable, but he neither went white nor
dragged himself, and Dare watched with flooding, overwhelming relief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s so much better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re doing a good job.” Jamie said to Jonah,
rubbing his shoulders. “Little and often. Use the crutches to protect that leg,
walk slowly and don’t overdo it. How long since the surgery?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Five weeks tomorrow.” Dare said without having to
think about it. Jamie nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then I’d like you to take it very quietly for at
least another week. A little walking around the house and only with the
crutches. Do you have a wheelchair?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The hospital gave us one.” Dare confirmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then use it if you go out anywhere, but start out
with very short distances, you’re going to find sitting upright for any length
of time quite uncomfortable at first. If you want to try sleeping on your side,
put pillows between your knees, that’ll make it more comfortable. How are you
managing the stairs?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’re not,” Dare said. “I’m carrying him.”<br />
<br />
“Then you mind your back.” Jamie said severely. “Before I need to work on you
too for slipped discs. The only other thing I need to look at is the loo and how
you’re managing in there. Jonah, come show me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He herded Jonah gently towards the kitchen and the
small bathroom alongside it. It wasn’t by any means Jonah’s first experience in
the past few weeks of physiotherapists insisting on supervising him in places Jonah
seriously resented supervision; Dare winced for him and distracted himself with
Dunkley as soon as Jonah was out of earshot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What do I need to watch for with his heart? I don’t
want to scare him but I need to know, this is still very new to us.”<br />
<br />
“Breathlessness.” Dunkley dusted the last of the powered cast from the couch
with a few swipes of his hand. “Chest pain. You might see him go pale, or his
lips or fingernails go blue; means there’s not enough oxygen in his system. Heart’s
working harder than it can keep up with. That’s the cue to stop and rest.”<br />
<br />
“He was upset and shouting when it happened.”<br />
<br />
“Can happen with exertion of any kind. You’re going to find he doesn’t have the
energy he had before this happened.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The cardiologist at the hospital mentioned that.” Dare
said unwillingly. “They talked to us a lot about accepting things had changed
and he wouldn’t be able to do what he used to do- ‘lifestyle adjustments’ was a
phrase we heard a lot but they wouldn’t really take a guess at what they might
look like. They were clear he was in no danger if he cut back enough on what he
tried to do and didn’t overtax his heart, it isn’t a case of surgery and he’s
got no cardiac disease.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No.” Dunkley said fairly gently. “I’d guess the
heart muscle got starved of oxygen in the water and that did the damage.”<br />
<br />
From both exposure in icy water and the sheer physical exertion of hours spent
hanging grimly onto the wreckage of the yacht, resisting the battering of the
storm. The Air Sea Rescue team had been staggered to pick up a still-living
survivor, but Jonah was a born defeater of ridiculous odds. Dare nodded slowly,
processing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They got him onto medication that’s supposed to
help, but they were saying things like no mowing the lawn, no shovelling snow,
no lifting anything heavy.” <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Definitely no handling sails, ropes or yachts. Especially
not for hours at a stretch in all weathers, soaked to the skin, with an open
mind about falling into freezing water. Dunkley’s eyes were compassionate even
if his tone was brusque. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I read all about it; not that it was easy to miss.
It was all over the national press. I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare had got very used to saying a polite, automatic
‘thank you’ through the first couple of weeks in the hospital to all kinds of
people. Sponsors. Other competitors. Journalists. The race organisers. People kept
arriving with flowers and shocked expressions and talked about it in hushed,
horrified voices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He took the Great Circle route,” he found himself
saying instead. “There’s about five popular routes on the Transat and the Great
Circle is the fastest, but it’s the hardest, the furthest north, there’s more
fog, more ice, higher risk of head winds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dunkley nodded, listening, and Dare leaned on the
back of the sofa, looking down at his hands but not really seeing them. It
seemed like years ago instead of just two months that they’d been at Plymouth
in the final, frantically busy days of being ready to go, with Jonah alight
with exhilaration, the way he always was pre- race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It started out a fast race too. High winds around
30-35 knots in the right direction so he wasn’t getting to sleep much. It’s
when the wind goes down you get to eat and wash and get some sleep when you’re
racing..... he’s generally wet through,
he’s eating out of packets and tins when he’s got time to eat, he’s sleeping in
a sleeping bag behind the helm, it’s not a comfortable or luxurious thing, it’s
hard; but if he hits a good wind he just has to forget sleep, get all the
distance he can and make the most of it. That’s his idea of a fantastic run,
the winds held for three days straight. Whenever he had time to get near the
sat phone and talk to me he was high as a kite, they were all just flying down
waves but that’s high concentration sailing...” he trailed off and Dunkley said
nothing, waiting until Dare cleared his throat again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The record on the last race was eight days, eight
hours, that was what he was out to beat. He always has a computer on board, and
a sat phone and we were texting- we usually manage to stay in contact on and
off around the clock. This year he was blogging too when he could, all the
competitors were, the blogs were being published for some charity all the
competitors were supporting – cancer research I think- and he’d got a tracker
which showed his position – it reports back every four hours, all the yachts in
the race had them and the website had the chart with the latest tracker
positions, so I could see if he didn’t call me it was because he was working
flat out and covering distance. He was running time calculations constantly,
there were several French boats very near him, he knows the weather, he knows
the winds, he calculates that kind of thing like he breathes... He was getting
into the ice fields and the wind was still going strong when I last heard from
him. Around eight pm. Then sometime around ten, the weather turned and it hit
40 knots, high waves. A yacht rolls in that, so the side deck’s completely
submerged..... He was hours through the night swimming, literally, to reach and
get the main sail down and the storm jib up and to keep her trimmed and afloat,
and in that kind of wind you’re fighting for the survival of the boat. You have
to keep the balance and the right sails up or the sail just flogs the boat,
mast and sails to bits, and at night all you’ve got is a head torch... He’s
always said there’s no time to be scared, you just have to dig in and do it. I
knew from the radio reports that the weather was getting bad so I wasn’t
surprised he wasn’t answering anything, and the tracker had him at two am when
it did the four hourly check. At six am he just wasn’t there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And the hell of the panicked phone calls, the
messages starting to fly, was like the memory of a nightmare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Does he remember what happened?” Dunkley said
softly. Dare shook his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He got hit with the boom as she started to break
up, he remembered that much. That probably accounts for the head injury.
Another yacht, some French guy, picked him up just after six when it got light,
he saw the wreckage and realised Jone was hanging onto it. Apparently he was still
conscious. Air Sea Rescue went out to get him and by the time they landed him at
Bristol he was comatose.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That must have been hideous.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve never been so scared in my life.” Dare confessed. “I’d got a flight
booked out to Boston to meet him there – we were hoping I’d only get there a
few hours ahead of him. I ended up driving from Plymouth to Bristol hospital to
wait for him to be flown in.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you two have any family supporting you? Are they
local?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare shook his head. “My brother’s in London, he
rings when he can but Jonah’s parents died years ago and mine are abroad. We’ve
always been used to it just being the two of us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah and Jamie were on their way back, the clinking
of the crutches on the stone floors was hard to miss. Dunkley dropped a hand on
Dare’s shoulder and squeezed as he walked past. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That used up most of Jonah’s energy for the rest of
the day. However thankfully he was never easily bored. Used to sailing, he had always
had the ability to sit for hours at a time with just the periodic adjustment of
the sails or course to occupy him, and his eyes on the water, and he’d walk or
sit and fish with the same ability just to be there, in that moment, anywhere
outside. He sat by the riverside for several hours that afternoon with a book unopened
on his lap, watching the passing cruise boats and the river go by, and Dare
moved between sitting with him, and taking a hoe to the long overgrown fenced little
herb and vegetable garden and hacking out the weeds. It was damp outside – not
that Jonah would care – and misty, but not cold. On only one occasion did Jonah
say anything; Dare was digging when he heard Jonah’s voice, quiet but in the ‘come
here and look right now, this is important’ tone Dare recognised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Dare.”</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1lBb6H0nKDcDE-lbChccbVMkkE2cMFrcZya7V441cs2w1tm_fcsQVUzXUmWiilTLozKkbVhFvQMGrWGm3SadCwaW_JeIBi08LDZ52du1n0oEy5gQh8FZfkD3DbyQsdQSP1prFLRoDBIg/s1600/Albion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1lBb6H0nKDcDE-lbChccbVMkkE2cMFrcZya7V441cs2w1tm_fcsQVUzXUmWiilTLozKkbVhFvQMGrWGm3SadCwaW_JeIBi08LDZ52du1n0oEy5gQh8FZfkD3DbyQsdQSP1prFLRoDBIg/s400/Albion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Dare dug the hoe into the earth and walked around the side of the cottage to
him and the river bank. From down river, moving slowly and magisterially, her
black sail taller and broader than a warehouse, an enormous and elderly wooden boat
was sailing. The height and the size of her was breathtaking. There were a few
people on her decks crewing her, and they nodded and smiled as they passed Jonah
and Dare on the bank. Dare picked up his camera from the bucket table top next
to Jonah and shot a few frames before he nodded back, aware that Jonah’s eyes had
come alive again and were focused with real interest and a little awe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We are in the
right place. This is exactly what he needs. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s a Norfolk wherry.” Jonah said when the
massive sailing barge was disappearing slowly from view up river, as silently
as she’d emerged, and just a faint trace of his usual excitement was there. “That’s
the <i>Albion</i>. I’ve read about her, she
was salvaged and restored, she used to be one of a hundred or more like her
working on the broads. She must be over a hundred years old.”<br />
<br />
Jonah would know the history; there wasn’t much about sailing vessels he didn’t
want to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Looks like one of the Thames barges.” Dare said
reflectively. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Same thing. Ish.” Jonah said briefly. His eyes were
still on the disappearing sail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He lay on the couch in front of the fire while Dare
made a light afternoon tea type meal of sandwiches and mini quiche novelty
things he’d found in the village deli. Jonah currently did better with snacking
than being faced with meals. In fact it was encouraging him to do the exact
opposite of what Dare had been harassing him to do for years, but Jonah hadn’t
appeared to notice or comment. Dare was cutting sandwiches into chunks small
enough that Jonah might pick up a couple without being put off by the amount
when he heard a hiss and a curse from the sitting room and paused. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you ok?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was snapped out. Dare went to the doorway and
found Jonah easing himself back on the pillows. He’d obviously had a go at
changing position and it hadn’t gone well; he looked white and heavy eyed, and Dare
went to him, pushing his heavy and still limp hair back from his forehead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How are you doing? You look sore again.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t meet his eyes or answer. Dare waited,
pointedly as it became apparent that Jonah didn’t intend answering, and saw Jonah’s
mouth eventually twist in irritation that he hadn’t gone away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Duh?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey.” Dare said gently. “It was a civil question,
I'm not psychic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It's obvious?” Jonah said sourly. Dare shook his
head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“That doesn't mean I'm going to quit asking and I don't appreciate the
implication that I'm stupid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There was another few seconds silence before he heard a very quiet and
rather muttered, “Sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you.” Dare said calmly, stepping back to help him up. “You can
come stand in the kitchen corner and think about that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah looked up at him as if he’d lost his mind. Dare
picked up his crutches for him, waiting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“....I don't stand?” Jonah pointed out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, you do.” Dare assured him. “You were walking this afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jonah glared at him for a moment, but he got up and Dare helped him get
his balance and herded him into the kitchen, pointing out the corner by the
sink which provided a convenient junction of two blank walls. Jonah balked,
bracing himself on the crutches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not standing there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, you are. We don’t talk to each other like that.” Dare said
simply, doing nothing but standing behind him with a hand still on his
shoulder. He didn’t push or put any pressure, but after a minute Jonah hissed
and struck out with one crutch at the wall, one hard whack which nearly stole
his balance and knocked the crutch from his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“This is <i>stupid</i>-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dare grabbed him before he could fall, helped him get the crutch back
in position, and moved around in front of Jonah, grabbing the wooden spoon from
the counter. He saw Jonah’s eyes widen and gave him no time to protest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sharp tone got an instant response, Jonah automatically held up a
hand and Dare took his fingers to steady him, giving him six quick, light swats
across the palm, using the repetition to sting rather than putting any weight
behind the spoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Other hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah never had any idea of how plaintive he could
look when he was in trouble; he looked outraged, tearful and thoroughly beaten
up, and Dare spoke firmly before Jonah moved onto any of the other things he’d naturally
resort to at moments like this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Other hand, Jonah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah surrendered it, but he broke down into tears
even before Dare swatted that palm as firmly as he had the other one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If I see you risk falling like that again, it’ll be
twelve on each hand,” Dare promised him, turning him to face the corner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was less than two minutes that he left Jonah to
stand there, sure that to Jonah every ten seconds felt like half an hour, and
he was still crying. Fluently, which was hard to hear, but very different to
the stifled swallowing and silent tears when he was in pain. It was the way he
cried when he was in trouble, much more emotional than physical, and there was
release in it; anger and frustration and probably more than Jonah was capable
of naming or identifying. It was rare for him to be this upset over a few mild swats,
but he had an awful lot under his cork right now. He hadn’t calmed down much
when Dare gently patted his butt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Done with the mouth?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He got a brief, jerked nod, and couldn’t resist a
wry smile. That was Jonah. Always ready to concede as little as he thought he
could get away with when he was mad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pardon?” he said mildly, and Jonah glared at him,
but unwillingly said it out loud, knowing he wouldn’t get another chance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“....Yes sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That was his usual and not ever so serious ‘be sorry
for being mean to me you heartless bastard’ tone, and it was deeply reassuring
to hear. Dare took his crutches away and picked him up to ensure no stomping on
the way, and laid him back on the couch.
Leaving Jonah still gulping, he went into the kitchen for pain pills
and water and brought both back to him, noticing Jonah’s prompt and obvious act
that he not only wasn’t looking to see that pills were being offered, he didn’t
want any anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Now.” Dare said when he still wouldn’t look. Jonah gave him another
glare but took and swallowed the pills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you.” Dare told him, sitting down on the side of the couch and wiping
some of the tears from Jonah’s face with his fingers. He was still gulping a
little but no longer crying, and Dare went to bring the sandwiches and tea to
the table in front of the couch. He took a seat on the couch, very gently
lifting Jonah’s legs over to rest on his lap and rubbing Jonah’s calves and
around his knees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You're feeling less stiff. How are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t reply for a bit, although he hadn’t
flinched in response to the rubbing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just........ Ow.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where’s worst?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“All of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare leaned over to pull the table and the plates
into his easy reach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eat something and I’ll give you a massage. Deal?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He actually ate several of the little sandwiches,
small enough to pick up and put straight in his mouth, and one of the quiche
things before he lost interest. It was when he picked up his mug of tea that Dare
noticed him resting the cup on his chest and using two hands to lift it with
deliberate effort as if he was lifting something heavy, and after a minute he
made an attempt to put the cup back. Dare took the mug from him with real
concern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s the matter?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“….It’s too heavy to hold.” Jonah sounded uncertain
and Dare held it for him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Is it too full? I'll help, just finish it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No… it’s ridiculous, it’s a cup, I can hold it, I hold cups all the
time.” Jonah protested but Dare held the mug and after a minute of Jonah
putting a hand over his to guide the mug, he let his arms drop back as though
they were too heavy to keep up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“........ I’m not sleepy.” he said after a minute, uncertainly, “but I
feel like I weigh a ton. Everything. Like I’m going to break the couch I’m so
heavy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was careful not-panicking in his tone. Dare
got up, worried himself but determined Jonah wouldn’t see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m not surprised you’re tired love. This is the
first day you’ve stayed awake right through. Let’s get you to bed.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah put an arm around his neck as Dare picked him
up but Dare could feel the effort it took him to move and help, and while he’d
seen Jonah exhausted by just being undressed before, this time once Jonah was
under the covers, he kept stirring, carefully trying to shift position and
wincing at the pull on his still healing pelvis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“....everything hurts.”<br />
<br />
“Without the casts?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, not there.” Jonah looked still more concerned
and Dare could see it in his face. “My arms. And head. It feels like pulling.”<br />
<br />
He was laying flat, which had to mean every muscle was relaxed and supported. Dare
couldn’t see any way he was feeling a pull anywhere, but he helped Jonah pull
pillows into a line along one side of his body and to put one between his
knees, and very cautiously and with a few yelps, Jonah turned over onto them,
half on his side, half on his front. It was his most usual sleeping position,
very different from being stuck on his back as he had been with the cast, and Dare
saw his relief. Coating his hands in talc, he lay back beside Jonah and
massaged his neck and shoulders gently and unhurriedly, wanting Jonah to relax
as much as possible. It seemed to help. Jonah lay still and Dare saw him shut
his eyes with the faint beginnings of his cat-purring expression. It was barely
minutes before he fell asleep, all in one go, like a switch being thrown. Dare
felt him go limp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He sat for a few minutes longer, still stroking Jonah’s
shoulders, then pulled the covers closely over him and went very quietly
downstairs, finding the phone and putting a call through to directory
inquiries. Thankfully there was only one pub in the area called The Swan, and
the phone was answered within a couple of rings by a cheerful voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The Swan.”<br />
<br />
“Hello, may I speak to Jamie please?” Dare said as politely as possible, and
heard the voice at the other end of the line change. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s Dare Brody at Eel Cottage isn’t it? This <i>is</i> Jamie, is Jonah ok?”<br />
<br />
It was open and kind, and the relief of getting to speak to him was powerful. Dare
pulled out a chair and sat down at the table, feeling guilty at his own
success. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“........ No, not really. I’m so sorry to disturb
you at home and out of hours, I really am, but-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You wouldn’t do it if you weren’t desperate.” Jamie
finished for him, bluntly. “How bad? He’s not fallen has he?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, no nothing like that.” Dare took a breath,
trying to explain it. “He’s been better, way more comfortable and mobile out of
the cast but this evening he couldn’t hold a cup of tea – said it was too heavy
and that <i>he </i>felt heavy, like he was
so heavy he was afraid of breaking the couch. He can’t get comfortable in bed
either, even when he’s laying flat he said it was painful, like everything was
pulling and out of place.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s muscle fatigue.” Jamie said promptly and
reassuringly. “It’s nothing awful and I’m not surprised, he’s had a stressful
few days. His body’s got a limited ability to keep itself properly oxygenated and
recharged now, he’s going to burn out his energy quickly and need time to make
more. More than just a good night’s sleep.”<br />
<br />
“This is just tired?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“More like exhaustion.” Jamie said gently. “You
couldn’t wear your body out this much even if you did eight hours heavy mowing
or a marathon, you’ve got normal oxygenation and for you your energy is like a
credit card with no spend limit. His isn’t any more. Even when you lay flat your
muscles still go on working supporting the weight of your joints and holding
them in place. His don’t have enough energy left to do it, the cells are out of
fuel. That’s why he can feel pulling. Have you got plenty of pillows?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ve got enough to start a shop,” Dare said wryly,
“The physio at the hospital warned me to stock up.”<br />
<br />
“I’ll show you how to do it tomorrow when I drop in, but for now use the soft
ones to prop wherever he’s uncomfortable. Under knees, under shoulders and rest
his arms on them, wrists supported so nothing’s hanging, support anywhere he
feels a pull, and get him to drink a lot and rest. He’s over done things today.
It’ll probably take him a few days to re charge.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There’s nothing else I can do?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie sounded sympathetic but he said it lightly.
“You two are going to end up getting good at pacing yourselves. It’s going to
be about learning where his limits are and staying inside of them. Stopping
when he’s still got some energy left in the bank, and then getting enough rest
to compensate for what he uses up day to day so he doesn’t reach this stage of
burn out where he’s got nothing left, the cells are out of fuel and it’s going
to take his body a few days to get the chemical building blocks out to them to
construct more. It’s finding the balance between pushing himself enough to walk
and get mobile and build up his stamina while still resting often enough and
long enough. You’ll work it out in time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Work it out in
time?</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
Dare lay awake for some hours that night. Jonah wasn’t sleeping well, Dare
could feel the tension in him and he often shifted slightly and then stirred
with the pain of it, although he slept in far more natural positions with the
cast gone. Other than rubbing his back or shoulders gently whenever he stirred
which soothed him back into deeper sleep, there wasn’t much else to do. He’d
done this for hour after hideous hour in the ICU at Bristol while Jonah
struggled semi conscious with the last of the coma, periodically wrestling
against the cast and the bed rails as if he was trying to fight his way to
wakefulness. Or continuing the endless nightmare struggle he must have endured
for those hours in the water. How the hell he had had the strength and
resilience to fight on long enough to survive it still filled Dare with a
mixture of fierce pride and thankfulness. That will was still in him,
understandably battered and stomped down and exhausted now until it burned
almost too dimly for either of them to see, but Jonah was just not a giving up
kind of a man and given time, given the stability and support they would find a
way through this together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They would. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The night was broken down into it now familiar
several short breaks, they drank tea, ate biscuits, renewed meds. About the
longest patch of sleep they had was three and a half hours, near to morning,
and when Dare woke the light was coming through the uncovered window, casting
long fingers across the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He pushed the blankets back and padded over chilly
floorboards to the window which reached nearly to the floor. The morning
outside was very still. The mild, damp weather of the last couple of days had
changed abruptly overnight and the first white frost marked out the lower panes
of the window in patterns and complicated swirls, froze the grass to bright
white in the soft grey mist and lined the reeds. The sky promised a warmer,
softer Autumn day to come once the sun rose, but right now beyond the river,
the wide fields were all white, sharply delineated with the black, leafless
trees and in the distance, a windmill with its sails stark against a dove grey
sky. The river flowed slowly, black between the white banks. It was starkly and
breathtakingly beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah was awake; Dare heard the change in his
breathing and the shift in the bed as he turned to look. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s cold this morning.” Dare leaned to see further,
the curve of the river stretching into the distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Cold?”<br />
<br />
“There’s a frost. Come and look, the grass is white right up to the river<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He heard Jonah’s rather bitter laugh. “Ha. Funny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was laying on his back again, staring up at the
ceiling. Dare waited, keeping his voice gentle but firm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Come on. You can do it, your crutches are right there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dare, I can hardly roll over. How exactly do you
suggest I jump up and walk over to you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Don’t jump anywhere. Get your crutches and try.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I have tried.”<br />
<br />
“Now.” Dare clapped his hands and held them out, waiting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He saw the look of fury Jonah gave him with eyes
that were suspiciously bright and blurry because he hurt like hell first thing
in the morning when he’d been still for a few hours and moving hurt, and despite
the sleep he still looked exhausted and angry. Dare waited, hands out with the
no nonsense expression Jonah knew well, and Jonah flung the blanket furiously out
of his way and started the long, slow, painful struggle to get himself sitting
up. He didn’t get anywhere for a moment, it was horribly like watching an
overturned tortoise and Dare spoke softly, calmly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Use your hands, Jone. Take it slowly, slide over this way, get your legs over the side of
the bed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I <i>can’t</i>.”
Jonah snarled at him. And yet he was still struggling to, he was still trying.
Dare stood where he was, not bailing him out much as he very much wanted to and
crispening his tone to prevent the snarl becoming a shout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, you can. Move your legs towards me. Move them with your
hands. Good. Further over. Now use your hands and slide yourself forward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tears
were actually running now. Mostly of sheer pain, it had been a shock to see in
the physio sessions when they first started getting him on his feet and Dare
had learned from the therapists that pain couldn’t always be the sign to stop.
Jonah lowered his damaged leg slowly to the floor. The muscle wastage on it compared
to the other was visible, it was clear he couldn’t move it much and his hips
were stiff, his back was stiff. He reached over for the crutches like an old
man, breathing hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Good.”
Dare said quietly. “That’s really good.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It took Jonah several false tries to lever himself
to his feet before he managed it, got his balance, and without the cast he did
that better. Already he was better on his feet. Dare watched him make his slow,
stiff way across the floor with that furious, wet face, and put his hands up
around it to kiss Jonah as he reached him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look. Isn’t it beautiful out there this morning?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah glanced out of the window with his face
expressionless, not responding to the kiss. Two swans were gliding slowly down
the river. Dare rubbed his hips gently where the aching was usually worst in
the morning, aware that he was so tired it was hard for him to stand upright,
he was hanging on the crutches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How about a bath?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wake up my love, there’s a beautiful frost on the ground. Come look?
The look I got from you was equal parts of anger and astonishment that I
would ask you to do something you clearly cannot do. At least that is your understanding. Mine is different, and I’m going to ignore
you for now. It’s the fear speaking,
telling me you can’t, you won’t, and saying as much in tones you would never
normally use when speaking to me. This
is almost not worth it, but you are going to come to the window and appreciate
the damn frost.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Putting
him on the sofa, Dare brought him the next round of medication and then lit the
fire and the stove and opened the bathroom door wide to let the heat reach it.
It was surprising how efficient the fire was and how warm the cottage stayed
overnight. He spread a couple of folded towels at the bottom of the bath to pad
it and ran it deep and hot, the cottage stove seemed very efficient at keeping
water piping hot overnight too. He brought more towels back to Jonah, putting
them in his reach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
“Undress on the couch, that’ll cut down on the standing time.”<br />
<br />
“I’m fine here.”<br />
<br />
“Undress.” Dare said firmly. Jonah glared at him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
“What the hell is wrong with you? I’ve
done more before breakfast today than I did all yesterday put together.”<br />
<br />
“Undress please. Now.”<br />
<br />
“I’m tired, I hurt. Would you like this in pictures?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The bath will help. Last chance Jonah.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Jonah
started to work on his t shirt, near to ripping it and the tears weren’t far
away again. Mostly Dare thought, of sheer rage. He was limp and tired, even
keeping his arms above his head to pull the shirt off was a struggle. Dare
helped him get it over his head and steadied him as he got to his feet and
pushed his shorts off, stepping out of them, aware that Jonah at this point
would pass out before he asked for help. He wrapped a towel around Jonah’s
shoulders and stood guard while Jonah got the crutches into position and slowly
clinked across the floor to the bathroom, head down, avoiding his eye. Dare
took them carefully as he reached the bath, put them out of the way and lifted
Jonah in, lowering him down as gently as he could in the hot water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He could feel Jonah breathing hard and clutching him
despite himself, his fear of both the movement and anything new was tangible,
and that too was very unJonah like. But at the touch of the water Dare felt him
make an involuntary soft sound and it was of comfort, of pure sensory pleasure
after weeks without showers, baths or anything but a bowl and flannel. He lay
back in the water with Dare’s help, and Dare put a rolled up towel behind his
head to lean on and gently wiped Jonah’s wet face with his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ok?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah wouldn’t look at him but he got a short,
muttered, “…Yes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll sort out some breakfast. You relax for a
while, let the pain meds kick in. I’m right out here, yell if you want me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He left the door open. Jonah shut his eyes, trying
to shift his weight slightly in the water. The heat and the comfort of it was
dreadfully disarming, and the shaft of pain that shot through at the movement
pulled out a sound that was suspiciously near to a sob. Which was just great
considering he was already acting like a five year old. The release did
something to his temper, he wasn’t sure what, but the sweep of his arm sent
water flying across the flag stoned floor, and somehow once he started it was hard
to stop. He lost count of how many times he hit the water, viciously, only
stopping when he was breathless and accidentally got a mouthful of water, and
then he dissolved into tears. Fully, properly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
It was mostly anger. He knew it, and it was only a couple of moments that he
cried before that was drained out too, and annoyingly once it was gone he felt a
good deal better. The water was surprisingly comforting. He soaked a flannel,
wrung it out and put it over his face, closing his eyes while he got his breath,
and that felt… amazing too. He was tired. So tired that moving was an effort,
but whatever medication the doctor had switched him to yesterday it was better.
The aching was subsiding and it wasn’t nearly as fierce as it had been
yesterday. And there was real pleasure too in being independently able to get himself
properly clean. It took him a while but with the cloth and the soap he managed
to get himself feeling more human than he’d felt in a while. Dare had put the
radio on; jazz was playing quietly in the kitchen and it was something they
both liked, both with old fashioned tastes in music. Jonah settled back and it
wasn’t until he heard Dare’s voice that he realised he’d dozed off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Jone? Five more minutes, you’ll get cold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The water was starting to cool. Jonah called back
from underneath his wash cloth still draped over his face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m ready now. Thanks.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare must have noticed the pools of water on the
floor – in fact on the walls, on the mirror, on every part of the bathroom, it
was impossible to miss, and he couldn’t have missed hearing the explosion
either. Jonah heard him come in, and the slight splash of his walking through
the puddles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The bath might have a leak.” Jonah commented. “I’m
not sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“A
leak.” Dare repeated. “I see. Maybe we need to keep an eye out for that.” He
pulled the washcloth off Jonah’s face and Jonah gave him a sheepish grin from
underneath it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Probably a good idea.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Either
that or we've got really wet mice.” Dare stooped to kiss him and paused,
slightly shocked as Jonah laughed. A real laugh. Dare moved the rest of the way
and kissed him rather more thoroughly than he’d first intended, and reached
past him to pull out the bath plug. The towels were warm, he must have had them
around the stove, and he wrapped Jonah in several of them before he carried him
through to the living room and the couch and helped him dry off and dress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">They
ate breakfast to the sounds of jazz in front of the fire, after which Dare took
the plates and made Jonah lie flat on the couch, settling blankets around him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Lay
there and work on taking a nap.”<br />
<br />
“It’s about nine thirty am?” Jonah pointed out. Dare shrugged. <br />
<br />
“What do we care?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“It’s
a ridiculous time to nap?”<br />
<br />
“Try anyway.”<br />
<br />
It was a ridiculous time too to be this tired. Jonah lay for a while watching
the fire and found himself rather stubbornly fighting off the urge to let go
and doze again. It was <i>good</i> to be rid of any lingering smell of
disinfectant and hospital on his skin, his drying hair felt properly clean,
there was comfort in it. The warmth of the blankets, lounging on a couch in a
quiet room with no one but Dare anywhere around, in front of the fire. The
smallness of the cottage in a way was oddly secure. He lay watching the jumping
flames in the hearth and looking up at the red brick wall beyond. The open
window with the few ancient trees starting to turn and show the first traces of
yellow and orange in their leaves and the blue sky beyond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Early
afternoon Dare put the deckchair recliner for him down by the water and Jonah
made his very slow way down the path with him. Dare put blankets under him and
another one in reach once he was established in the chair, leaving him with a
pillow, a thermos of coffee, a plate of sandwiches and his cell phone. It was
good too – not in a bad way – to see him walk away. The peace, the solitude, it
was a relief and Dare knew it. Dare had always understood it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunbQBSNh4QhvUCPXh4GW9e3IQI1KxTme8bdXg8P0g5FqehabYizTmPM3PbAFT-ZC8iPLJON7AayNWBQ2O-ok0KxuF0as40v3qkZjHqCPU-LZz8S1HjwgQAdBYhqUC_nkgOljOs4ITp_j9/s1600/birdy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunbQBSNh4QhvUCPXh4GW9e3IQI1KxTme8bdXg8P0g5FqehabYizTmPM3PbAFT-ZC8iPLJON7AayNWBQ2O-ok0KxuF0as40v3qkZjHqCPU-LZz8S1HjwgQAdBYhqUC_nkgOljOs4ITp_j9/s1600/birdy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
garden was wild and overgrown wherever he looked, and had mostly returned to
rough grass down to the river with boarding holding the bank in place. The big
black wooden boat house was further along down a staithe – the little wooden
landing stages for the boats that travelled the rivers and broads in their
winding narrow network. At this time of year the river was starting to go
quiet, the last few holiday makers of the season enjoying the autumn weather in
the hired boats which passed by. Watching was painful. The Blue Swallow… she
had moved like the bird of her name, swift and effortless and graceful, so
responsive in his hands that she flew in front of the wind. And she had been
grey and white and splintered as she smashed apart under </span><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
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</v:imagedata></v:fill></v:shape><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">him. His overriding image
of that night was grey. Grey water, black sky, and the noise, the endless
onslaught of noise and the pounding of water. A world away from the near silent
sailing yachts that tacked slowly down the quiet, still river, gliding through
the ribbon of water between the fields.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt90YWdiQ5yyFgUp0vFFlJuaXW_Hsc5EE9Tos5UdmV5rPTK3zuNr-HDkkIAfDcbFBy-iYUA_olYvhVAfxkU7UPnH5-ivdEImf4YHUR9DTYfJMjahnM-kUnsKcxNLjdb82d0uYA9QXfcGd/s1600/coot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt90YWdiQ5yyFgUp0vFFlJuaXW_Hsc5EE9Tos5UdmV5rPTK3zuNr-HDkkIAfDcbFBy-iYUA_olYvhVAfxkU7UPnH5-ivdEImf4YHUR9DTYfJMjahnM-kUnsKcxNLjdb82d0uYA9QXfcGd/s1600/coot.jpg" /></a></div>
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<v:shape alt="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Eurasian_Coot_on_the_Thames.jpg" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj99uKXkOTJAhVDbhQKHZCaAC8QjRwIBw&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coot&psig=AFQjCNE9fUPjz5YBjrfxmgLCenxe1mLh0g&ust=1450483981629306" id="irc_mi" o:button="t" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 34.4pt; margin-left: -59.45pt; margin-top: 21.7pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 48.25pt; z-index: -251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Two
coots were floating slowly down the river near the bank. Further away a crested
grebe looked directly at Jonah for a moment, pausing from its fishing, then as
if embarrassed by the eye contact, dived beneath the water. It was gone for an
impossibly long time, surfacing some distance away eventually with a small fish
in its beak. Something in the reeds moved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It
was so brief that Jonah watched for a while not sure he had seen it. He stilled
and waited, hopeful it might mean the return of the otter. Then there was
another glimpse and he saw it. A black nose. Small, low, but not an otter. He
didn’t move, fading into the landscape in the way he had learned to do as a
child. Becoming part of it, being so still that he barely breathed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It
took almost half an hour for it to gain the courage to slink out from the
reeds, but it wasn’t an otter and the birds picking for worms in the wet grass
knew it; they flew straight off the ground when it moved, and when it finally
emerged Jonah saw it was a very small, very thin and muddy black dog. It moved
so low to the ground that its belly scraped along and it crept, dark eyes on
him all the way, shivering all over. Jonah sat still, never looking towards it,
and when it finally reached the plate of sandwiches and snatched one it flew
back into the safety of the reeds as if the hounds of hell were after it. Once
it was safely there, Jonah slowly picked up another of the ham sandwiches,
shredding it slowly, then tossing the pieces across the grass nearer to the
reeds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
dog appeared again a moment later, darting out to snatch a piece and dashing
back to hiding, but after the first few pieces it gradually grew bolder and
began to stay on the grass, moving from titbit to titbit. Jonah threw the
pieces slowly nearer and nearer, until he held one in his hand and extended it.
The dog hesitated for a moment. Then it slid slowly closer and stretched out to
take the sandwich, dashing away with it and wolfing it down. A chunk of ham was
tossed gently past him to land on the grass and the dog swiftly went after it,
darting further away to eat it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
“Who’s your friend?” Dare said softly. Jonah glanced back. Dare crouched down
not to scare the dog, tossing a few more chunks of the ham to it. When the ham
was done, Jonah picked up the plate with the last two sandwiches, holding it
out. The dog crawled all the way up to him on her belly, the whites of her eyes
showing, but this time it stood by him to eat and for the first time he got a
better look at her. It was hard to tell her colour, at the moment she looked
dark all over, thick with mud, but her ears were long – a spaniel, a cocker
spaniel of some description, although she was small for a cocker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Hi
baby.” Jonah said softly. Dare leaned over to hand him another piece of ham and
Jonah fed it to the dog who went on shivering but licked his fingers. Slowly,
gently, Jonah rubbed the side of her face and she flinched a little but leaned hard
into it. Almost like she couldn’t help herself, desperate for the comfort. One
very scared, very hungry little dog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
“She’s starving isn’t she?” Dare said softly. “Poor thing, she’s so skinny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“She’s
been somebody’s pet.” Moving very slowly, Jonah took one of the blankets off
his legs and folded it, wrapping it around her. From the way the dog let him it
was even more apparent; the girl was not stupid, she burrowed straight into the
warmth and it was clear that at some time this dog had known about people and
being wrapped. She let him pick her up and as soon as he enfolded her she went
limp, helplessly trusting in them. Jonah passed her gently to Dare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“You
take her, I’ll follow you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It
took him a moment to get himself to his feet, Dare had to help with his free
arm, but they made their slow processional way with the dog into the cottage
and Jonah stood in the kitchen watching Dare put their guest in the big stone
sink, turning on the water. He was a born practical man, Dare. And a born
carer. Anyone injured around the boat yards, people panicking and lost,
animals, children – Dare would always step up without hesitation as if he just
knew what to do, and whoever he came to help always relaxed in his hands and
let him feeling that same trust in him that Jonah did. The dog seemed to have
no hesitation in doing the same. She didn’t whimper as the sink filled, and
Dare glanced over his shoulder to Jonah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
“Sit down. Pass me those towels.”<br />
<br />
He had to rinse her no less than five times to get all the mud out. She was so
passive in his hands it was as if she was plain grateful for the warmth. When
he finally had her coat running clean he lifted her onto the wooden draining
board and rubbed her down several times, drying her off as much as he could
before he put her down on the floor. She was black. Shiny black with a single
white patch on her chest, and a delicate little thing as well as skinny. She
had the feet of a dancer. Dare filled a bowl with warm water and put it down
for her and she drank for a long time before she shook herself, hard. Dare
nodded to Jonah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“You
move back to the sofa. I’ll put some towels down by the fire and she can dry
off there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
dog darted back with alarm as Jonah picked up his crutches and then slunk under
the table. Dare took towels into the living room, laying them out on the
hearth, then went to rinse out the sink, taking no notice of her. Jonah lay
back on the sofa, putting the crutches down beside him and watching, and within
a bare minute she looked around the door and followed him. She spent a moment
examining the room, several times coming back to him and the hand he held out
to her to brush her nose against it. And then she went to the heap of towels by
the fire, raked them into a heap and turned around several times before
dropping down onto them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dare
came quietly to take the armchair across from Jonah, watching their guest, who
lay with her chin on the floor, watching them with soft brown eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I’m
going to need to go down into the village. She needs proper food. Chicken or
something light, she hasn’t eaten properly in a long time. I’ll ask around
while I’m there and put a note in the post office window, someone must be
missing her. Are you ok for ten minutes? I’ll make it as quick as I can. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Want
to go to the bathroom first? Got your phone? Ok. Don’t get off the couch
without me here. I don’t care what you think your reason is. Are we clear?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Yes sir.”<br />
<br />
“I won’t be long.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah heard the car pull away. It wasn’t until he
felt Dare touch his shoulder that he even realised he’d fallen asleep. Dare had
obviously been back a while. The dog on the hearth was fast asleep, her coat
was dry and fluffy now and she was sporting a collar which she didn’t seem to
mind about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey.” Dare passed Jonah a mug of tea and sat on the
floor against the couch beside him to hand him his medication. “Sorry to wake
you but this dose is due. You’re looking better since you had the patch on.”<br />
<br />
Jonah gulped the pills back and washed them down with tea. Once he had never
been keen to take painkillers for anything much. A broken pelvis knocked all
that out of you in a hurry; you took everything, on time, gladly, if it would
just make even a fraction of a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“No
one’s heard anything about a missing dog in the village,” Dare said with his
eyes on the dog on the hearth. “From what the manager in the post office said,
there’s no other houses for miles she could have come from. He did say they’ve
had cases of abandoned dogs in the area. People on boating holidays bring the
dogs and leave them when they go home. Can’t afford to feed them, think they’ll
just go wild and fend for themselves. Or the dog gets lost from the boat and the
owners give up and go home. I don’t think she’s got anywhere to go.”<br />
<br />
“It’s not like we have either, is it?” Jonah said rather bleakly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dare
leaned over to get his hand, lacing his fingers through Jonah’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I
put a lead on her to take her outside. We didn’t need it, she was back inside
before I was. This lady knows which side her bread is buttered. I got biscuits
for her. Chicken. Rice. And scotch eggs for us, the deli specialises in them
apparently.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVA34fntG6_c2lJNgPdfqb39Ou8JTFT7AeKwGiaB2tAXZIAK51QajoEjAFmiOUuuUH1w27E0g7tOp9kZ4sOBZZSde2GHghiRXW5TPxcXzjX5ZrBV5qpY3hyphenhyphenzWB_eoiJ8v4Ckxy2Bel50II/s1600/poppet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVA34fntG6_c2lJNgPdfqb39Ou8JTFT7AeKwGiaB2tAXZIAK51QajoEjAFmiOUuuUH1w27E0g7tOp9kZ4sOBZZSde2GHghiRXW5TPxcXzjX5ZrBV5qpY3hyphenhyphenzWB_eoiJ8v4Ckxy2Bel50II/s320/poppet.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>You are playing in the
far reaches of my consciousness, but I can’t see you. There.
A dark shape, almost like a shadow, ducking in behind trees and bushes,
among the reeds at the water’s edge.
Whatever you are, the birds fly away in alarm whenever you’re
around. I watch in silence as an hour goes
by and you make your way closer. Closer
you move, silent, stalking me. When
you’re finally close enough, I hold out a hand and you’re gone. But a moment
later comes a handshake. It’s nice to
meet you Poppet.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2015/12/sealark-october.html"><span style="color: #999999;">Continue on to October</span></a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Copyright Rolf and Ranger 2015</b></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-4438348826895001012015-12-23T23:08:00.000-08:002015-12-23T23:08:18.371-08:00Sealark - October<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #548dd4; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 48.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">Sea lark<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">October <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The trees turned fast this year. Almost before the
full richness of colour showed in the woods around the cottage the leaves
started to fall in swirls, and Poppet darted after the falling ones as she
hunted through the woods when Dare walked her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Neither of them knew quite where she’d got the name
or which of them started using it. It was an endearment Jonah had heard Dare
use many times to his brother’s kids and somewhere it slipped from being an
endearment to being her name. She had slept her first night downstairs by the
fire which Dare banked up for her before they went up to bed around seven when
Jonah began to be too tired for the couch to be tolerable any longer. They
never were to find out where she came from or what her life had been before,
although it was clear that she knew about houses and homes; she behaved herself
like a perfect lady and when Dare padded downstairs around 4am to make tea and
let her out she waited patiently by the door and then shot straight back in
again when he whistled to her, giving him a wide berth but heading straight
back to her nest by the fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She lurked around the cottage like an anxious small
black shadow for the next few days. Dare kept Jonah to the same routine,
balancing the need to push him to move and walk with the need to keep him from
getting too tired: a bath as soon as he got out of bed which helped with
managing the pain levels at the time he was most stiff, breakfast and then a
morning nap on the couch, then helping with the basic chores that in this tiny
cottage took very little time: drying dishes sitting at the table, walking a
little with the crutches to dust or wipe windows, taking the rubbish outside to
the little side shed where they stored it which for Jonah took several minutes
to negotiate the twenty feet of distance it necessitated. Another mid morning
to lunchtime rest. An hour outside in the garden – and whatever the weather,
Dare accepted that as Jonah would, just ensuring he went out in the right
clothes and coverings to withstand it, and he walked to and from the chair
himself. A longer afternoon rest. Their evening meal and some time together in
the living room before he helped Jonah upstairs to bed around seven and lay
there with him to read while Jonah began the first of the cat naps that
punctuated their nights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah’s initial resistance about the chores lasted
as long as Dare’s calm and immediate application of the spoon to his palm.
Jonah was beginning to eye that spoon, which Dare kept laying on the kitchen
counter, with distinct and wary respect. After that he did what he was asked
to. Slowly and grimly and in silence; he still spoke very little. But the
moving around was painful and demanding and high effort, it was a battle for
him and Dare watched it very carefully, monitoring enough to challenge him to
use what skills he had without pushing himself too far. The doctor, Dunkley,
dropped back every other day to check on the pain medication levels and kept an
eye on the incisions still healing on Jonah’s pelvis and thigh. His visits were
short and comfortable and Jonah didn’t seem to mind them. Dunkley didn’t say
much about what he did or stay long and mostly he talked about his boat to
Jonah while he worked, an elderly sailing craft he was restoring which sounded
like the loving project of years, on a frame in the garden outside his house
further down river in the village. Since one of Jonah’s main weaknesses was
antique sailing boats, his visits went better than might have been expected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie visited again three days after the cast came
off, looking angelically beautiful in jeans and a sweatshirt with the GP
practice logo on it which he managed to make look as though it was designer
wear, left his muddied boots at the door and padded into the living room to
watch Jonah slowly and stiffly go on wiping down the windows. He helped Jonah to
finish the job, although Dare saw him strategically doing only the bits Jonah
couldn’t reach and not doing much of it at all, working instead on chattering
about nothing in particular while he ensured Jonah moved as much as possible.
He wasn’t missing a thing. He rarely looked directly at Jonah while they worked
together yet Dare saw he never took his eyes off him. He got Jonah to take the
cloths back to the kitchen by looking so crushed when Jonah initially and
sourly refused that Jonah looked slightly shocked. Dare had been about to step
in but after a moment Jonah swore and grudgingly but fairly immediately did as
Jamie wanted. Jamie followed, taking the bowl of now dusty water for him and
competently rinsing it at the sink while he watched Jonah walk slowly on the
crutches, then settled him equally competently on the couch without fuss,
showing them both where to put pillows to reduce any pull or pressure on tired
joints with serene disregard for Jonah’s glowering or whether or not he co
operated, and Dare could see he almost instantly got Jonah significantly more
comfortable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare made him a cup of tea and within a couple of
minutes Jonah was asleep on the couch in the way he tended to fall asleep when
he stopped fighting; with the same thudding suddenness that he had in the
hospital, exhaustion taking over as his body used up the energy to heal itself.
Jamie sat at the kitchen table to drink it, keeping his voice quiet not to
disturb him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“You’re doing a great job keeping him moving, that’s exactly what he needs. Little
challenges, purposeful things to do alternated with rests.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m keeping us to the same routine every day. I
think that helps.” Dare sat down at the table opposite him with his own mug.
Jamie nodded approval. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good. Brilliant. Now make it a <i>lot</i> stricter. Same things at the same times, scheduled rests and
when he’s resting make sure he is actually resting. Laying down flat so his
heart gets a break; not reading, not talking, not playing with the dog. Not
just being in neutral; the difference matters now. You and I can recharge
sitting around reading or watching tv. His body can’t. For him that’s still
energy neutral, he has nothing in reserve and he’s using up as much as he’s
producing. You and he need to figure out all daily activities in terms of
energy draining, energy neutral and energy restoring, energy economics on a
limited budget. It’s going to take actually stopping all output to save some up
in the bank.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was not a suggestion, it was a straightforward,
clear instruction. Dare was starting to gather the impression that this
extremely beautiful young man was actually a force to be reckoned with. Jamie
gave him an acute look over the edge of his mug as the dog edged around the
table to get to her water bowl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re looking like hell on toast too. How many
times are you two up during the night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He sleeps about three to four hours in a patch.
Then I suppose we’re awake for an hour or so each time. We’re heading up to bed
about seven, he’s awake about half past seven to eight in the morning, so I
suppose three times on average we’re up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Get him to bed earlier.” Jamie said succinctly.
“Try six. Before he gets too tired to sleep. He’ll actually sleep better when
he’s not too tired, I know that makes no sense but it’s true. And you need to plan
on resting when he does at least once during the day, you’re losing sleep too. I
can see how down he is but you’re going to find grouchy is the warning signal of
‘tired’ and ‘not enough oxygen’. I know he’s got every reason to be grouchy,
he’s handling a huge loss, and so are you. And pain is exhausting, that doesn’t
help either, but he’s got no hope of working out how to cope if he’s permanently
over tired and his brain’s running on low power. Get him laying down flat and
quiet as soon as you see it. It’s about helping him learn to stay within his
threshold, it’s going to take him time to know where his limits are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He’d seen a great deal of how they worked in just
two short visits. Jamie met his eyes giving him a frank, cheerful smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is going to get easier. You will get him
through this. Your instincts are right: the simpler and more structured things
are the better he’ll do at the moment. I want you to have a recliner in the
living room for you as well as him, you’ll nap alongside him and it would give
him a change of position. I can probably scare up an old one from somewhere if
that’s a problem-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s not. The insurance pay-outs have been…..” Dare
hesitated for a moment and then sighed. “… alarmingly dramatic. With what he
did for a living we had quite a lot of insurance of various kinds between us.”<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Planning in case this ever happened, although
neither of them had ever really believed it might. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Your career’s on hold too isn’t it?” Jamie said gently. Dare nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That doesn’t matter. Photography of my type is always
something of a famine and feast career.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“And you’ve always fitted it in around his career. Travel where he goes,
support him during the preps and the races.” Jamie sounded quietly understanding.
“Someone has to get the shopping in, have the bills paid, the bed made and the
laundry up to date. I get it to an extent, Mick and I are owned by a building
and his publican licence, our lives revolve around the pub.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t know about on hold.” Dare finished his tea, holding the cup between
his hands. “From what we’ve been told he won’t be able to race again. Or handle
a yacht alone again.”<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It isn’t going to be the broken bones, those are
going to heal fine.” Jamie said gently but matter of factly. “It’s going to be
the heart, and fatigue is going to be a big player in your lives. We’ll work on
getting him as fit as we can but it’s a wait and see game as to what his new
‘normal’ will be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His bracing approach actually helped. Much more than
the soft voiced, shocked staff who had seen the Olympic celebrity brought in on
a helicopter and who realised they were seeing first hand a career at a sharp
and premature end. This was the reality and this is what they had to deal with.
It was much more the way that Jonah worked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“He’s always been a wonderfully…. practical man.” He said aloud to Jamie. “With
racing– you take the circumstances you have and you make the best of them, there
isn’t time to whine about what the weather’s doing or if you’re cold or tired
or whether the tide’s cooperating, you just get on with it. He’s always been
like that in pretty much everything - very upbeat and nothing much gets him
down, he’s a tough adapter. People tick him off sometimes but it’s a brief
explosion and done, gone. This…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Isn’t him.” Jamie finished quietly. “It’s the
shock. The head injury. The pain he’s in. The being tired all the time. Those
things are going to fade and he’ll find a new normality. And then you’ll see
him come out again. Those qualities are the best things he could have to deal
with his condition, it’s the ones that are bitter and can’t stop fighting that
struggle most. Keep pulling Jonah out of him. He’s in there, he’s just been
battered to hell and he’s reeling. And I know you are too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m tough as old boots.” Dare said wryly. “I’m
fine. I just want to help. I want to make this easier for him.”<br />
<br />
“Three days ago he was pale grey and terrified of weight bearing. Today you had
him not only standing but freeing a hand to clean windows, taking some interest
in the house. I know you’re having to be the bastard who won’t let him give up,
and he really needs that, I can see it working.” Jamie gave his hand a firm pat
and got up to rinse both their mugs as if he owned the place. He nodded at the
dog as he put the mugs away. “And she’s a good idea too. This is the one you
found?”<br />
<br />
“I think she found us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We heard about her. Gossip goes through the village
like wildfire, we get very bored around here in the winter and everyone comes
to the pub. No one seems to know where she’s come from or how long she’s been
around. You’re keeping her?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
They hadn’t given it any conscious thought. She had just slipped straight into
their daily routine without difficulty, quiet and undemanding. Walking her was
currently a daily oasis of calm in Dare’s morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s a sweet little thing. Jonah’s good with
animals, he and I both grew up with dogs. Never had one ourselves, we were
travelling constantly abroad, but…. Now things are different, there’s no reason
not to. She’s good company and she’s giving him something else to think about.”<br />
<br />
“Someone to look after.” Jamie stooped to the dog, putting a confident hand out
to gently pull her soft ears. She let him too, Jamie seemed to disarm most
people. “I’ll drop in again day after tomorrow. Get that recliner and get some
sleep.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The recliner appeared the following day from
Norwich, and the guys who carried it through the wet field into the living room
unwrapped it and set it up. It was large and wide and reclined almost
completely flat, and Jonah spent several hours in it in the afternoon without
finding it too uncomfortable. He was highly unimpressed with their earlier
bedtime, but since Dare simply picked him up and carried him upstairs it didn’t
make much difference, and once in bed after ten minutes silent and bitter
fuming, he fell asleep and Jamie was right. He slept longer and he woke only
twice that night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was going stir crazy by Friday morning. Dare saw
him standing at the window in the living room staring out at the river, and
came to stand behind him, folding his arms gently around Jonah’s waist. Poppet,
who liked the garden so long as the door was left open – she clearly did not
approve of being expected to make decisions about whether she wanted to be out
or in no matter what the weather and liked to keep her options available – was
pottering about sniffing invisible complex trails of any wildlife that had
passed their way through the night, winding her way in circles as she followed
their path across the grass, and a heron was standing motionless on a mooring
post on their staithe by the boathouse, one gangly leg tucked up under its
feathers. It was an elderly heron with ragged feathers that gave it a piratical
look and it was glaring down its long orange beak at the slowly passing river. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m dying to go for a walk.” Jonah said shortly.
Dare made a quiet sound of comprehension against his shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You haven’t had the chance to explore much at all.
Rest until eleven thirty and we’ll go down into the village and get lunch at
The Swan.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I meant walking.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s too muddy to try the crutches here, I don’t
want you falling.”<br />
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“It’s not going to make much difference is it?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Rest now and we’ll go into the village.” Dare
repeated. “That’ll be more than enough exercise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t do anything else <i>but</i> rest, it doesn’t make any difference.” Jonah said sourly. “I
can’t just lay around for the rest of my life, maybe pushing more would help.”<br />
<br />
“Jamie doesn’t think so, and I can see he’s right. It’s about balance. You do
better when you’re rested, you’re in less pain, you move better, you’ve got
more mental energy.”<br />
<br />
“You mean I’m less foul tempered.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I mean you’re not so tired you can’t think and
everything feels too much. Right now you feel so awful so much of the time you
can’t see much difference. But I can and it’s going to get clearer as you get
better. So that’s the deal.” Dare kissed his cheek, patting his hip firmly
where his hand rested. “Take it or leave it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you want to do
the Transat you pull out of the Metro. They’re too close, it’s too much. That’s
the deal, take it or leave it.”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> That was probably the last time
he had used that line. About three months ago, in a hotel room in Barcelona,
and Jonah had argued and pleaded that three days turn around was plenty, the
boat was fit, he was fit, the resupply and safety checks could probably be
squeezed in just about with a bit of luck, two days off was all any normal
person needed. He’d been furious when Dare stood firmly with the protesting engineers
and team who wanted the time to prep the boat properly, and Dare had refused to
consider Jonah heading out on the Transat anything less than thoroughly rested,
fed, fit and prepared for the physical ordeal ahead. With hindsight that might
have played a significant part in those hours he spent in the water. But within
a couple of hours of that conversation he’d come back, somewhat shamefaced,
apologetic and grudgingly admitting that Dare was probably right. Determined
but open minded, Jonah rarely stayed angry about anything for long. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCk3eaFy7ug1ARa5hNnovWTpZEg6BDIYameqX8OTHSzZCkwGyYuibZlfXKNafCrDg2DhXFiSRM8M-wAfxM3d93votxNmCUJucuoI8YVgznlrs0LuIjr5nOvIwqvtorkSOrJZLa5qwmZTs/s1600/filename-img-2165-jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCk3eaFy7ug1ARa5hNnovWTpZEg6BDIYameqX8OTHSzZCkwGyYuibZlfXKNafCrDg2DhXFiSRM8M-wAfxM3d93votxNmCUJucuoI8YVgznlrs0LuIjr5nOvIwqvtorkSOrJZLa5qwmZTs/s400/filename-img-2165-jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He slept a good hour on the sofa and Dare helped him
dress in real clothes rather than the sweats which were gentle on the incisions
and soft to lay down in, and deaf to his furious protests, put the wheelchair
in the back of the range rover before he carried Jonah out to the passenger
seat, leaving Poppet to doze in peace in front of the hearth in the cottage. It
was a ten minute drive down narrow lanes between open, lately ploughed corn
fields that had once been under water marshland, past an elderly grey stone
church and into the village itself. The Swan inn dominated the little high
street. A vast and beautiful Elizabethan inn with the white frontage laced with
dark wood beams, it stood three storeys high and spread out between two village
greens either side, a restaurant and hotel, and it stood directly on the river
front. The garden by the front doors held plenty of tables and chairs alongside
the mooring for multiple boats; many of The Swan’s clients arrived by water.
Dare helped Jonah get himself out of the car and very ungraciously into the
wheelchair, and took him up the path along the high street. A large boatyard
lay on the far end of the village and as the wide river made a turn to the left
just beyond The Swan, there were multiple staithes and boardwalks between
several hundred moored boats wintering quietly on the far bank. On the turn
itself stood the Yacht Club, a tall building with a glass frontage on the
second floor, and multiple well roped down and covered yachts were moored in
front of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah’s eyes were on them as Dare wheeled him up the
ramp into the inn. Even on a mid week lunchtime there were tables occupied:
people clearly were prepared to travel to eat lunch here. The stone walls were
warmed by the big open fireplace with a burning log in the hearth, brightening
the October day, and tables were spread throughout the rather winding interior
beyond the long wooden bar. Dare found them a table by the window, parking
Jonah where he could see the river, and went to get menus, returning with two
half lagers as the gentlest nod to normality with Jonah’s painkillers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He returned to find Jonah had got himself from the
wheelchair to the upright, somewhat cushioned but still hard bench and folded
the wheelchair, putting it out of sight behind their table. The effort had cost
him. The noise in the pub and the movement around them was weighing on him too,
he was pale and his shoulders were hunched slightly as though he was trying to
shield himself. Dare put the glasses down on the table and reached to get the
wheelchair and Jonah grabbed his wrist, giving him a look somewhere between
furious and begging. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“I’m <i>not</i> sitting in that.”<br />
<br />
“It’s softer, it’s got more give and you’ll be more comfortable.” Dare said
gently but firmly. “No one’s looking.”<br />
<br />
“I am not appearing in the village gossip as the crippled ex Olympian.” Jonah
said bitterly. “No.”<br />
<br />
Dare leaned on the table, not unsympathetic but not discussing it. “Chair, or
we’re going back to the cottage.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
There was a moment where Jonah glared at him, hurt, embarrassed, angry, and it
was very difficult not to give in. This was his pride at stake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We don’t even talk about it?” Jonah demanded. “We
used to talk about this kind of thing, I used to get a vote!”<br />
<br />
Dare reached past him to get the wheelchair and Jonah swore quietly and got up,
propping himself heavily on the table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ok. Fine. Chair.”<br />
<br />
“Thank you.” Dare helped him move across, put the wheelchair against the table
where Jonah could sit looking like any other diner in a chair, and took the
bench next to him, putting his hand out to grasp Jonah’s and holding on when
Jonah tried to pull away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t want you in any more pain than you have to
be in. I don’t want you wasting energy on holding yourself upright on a chair
that doesn’t support you and I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks.
Appearances aren’t something we’re going to waste our energy on. This is an
hour we’ve got together and that’s what we’re focusing on. I think we're doing
a drink, not a meal, you're looking tired already.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s have a starter at least?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If we do ok today we'll come back Sunday. We've got
plenty of time to figure out how to do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Normal people didn’t have to figure out how to go
out to eat. Jonah dropped the menu back on the table, running his hands through
his hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That's the yacht club there, I'd read about it.” Dare
said conversationally, nodding at the glass fronted building by the water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah didn’t look, but he picked up his lager and
took a long swallow. He jumped at the arm that closed around his shoulders and
gave him a hug. Jamie. Looking far too happy and in a heavy chain knit sweater
and jeans that said he was off duty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello, it’s nice to see you out! You be careful,
you look knackered.”<br />
<br />
“If I so much as breathe I look knackered.” Jonah muttered. Jamie gave him
another swift hug, ignoring the hunched shoulders indicating Get The Hell Off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know. We’ll work on it, but you’re not used to
being upright for long yet. Using that recliner?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are.” Dare said to rescue Jonah. “This is a
lovely place Jamie.”<br />
<br />
“We love it.” Jamie glanced around him with real warmth. “It’s got a real
spirit to it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A large, broad man in a checked shirt and a thick
dark beard came over from the bar and hooked an arm around Jamie’s waist,
looking from Jonah to Dare and then grinning at Dare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is he driving you mad? I'll move him if so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, Jamie's been great. You must be Jamie’s partner. I'm Dare Brody.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mick Welton.” Mick leaned across the table to shake
hands. “Great to meet you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His tact said a great deal: he was leaving it
entirely to Dare as to whether or not he wanted to introduce Jonah or prolong
this conversation further. Appreciating it, Dare looked across to Jonah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is my partner Jonah.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello.” Jonah shook hands and managed something
halfway to near a smile. The look Mick gave him was very comprehending and
deeply sympathetic behind the thick beard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hi. It’s great to meet you. I've followed your
racing for years.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He's been absolutely green that I've been getting
to talk to you.” Jamie said cheerfully. “Watch him, he’ll interrogate you on
every race you’ve ever done given half a chance. We’ll leave you in peace, wave
if you need anything.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They disappeared back behind the bar together where Mick
seemed to occupy half of it and went back to pulling pints with smooth,
practical hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Near to tears and not sure why, Jonah went back to
staring into his drink. His hands were shaking slightly. Dare’s hand slid over
to grasp his gently. They sat there together while Dare sipped his lager and
Jonah gazed at his, until Dare said softly, “Done?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah nodded without looking up and Dare leaned over
to get the chair brakes and took him outside to the car. Jonah kept his eyes
down as Dare unlocked the car door, hauling himself to his feet and leaning on
the roof, and Dare’s arm closed around him, more or less lifting him down to
the seat. If he hadn’t…. Jonah was unsure at this point if he could have done
it by himself. He was getting nauseous, keeping himself upright was getting
difficult and his hands fumbled with the seatbelt. Dare put the wheelchair in
the boot and got into the driver’s seat, closing the door and putting an arm
around his shoulder to pull him close. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah’s eyes blurred. He got a hand up to grip Dare
and that was as much as he could do, but Dare hugged him tightly. Then he
started the car, putting a hand across to Jonah’s knee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s not far love, hang on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It shouldn’t be like this. Half an hour out of the
house should <i>not</i> be like this. Jonah
stared at the road as they drove through the village. Dare carried him into the
cottage: getting out of the car would have been more than Jonah could have
handled. Dare put him down on the couch and reached for a pillow to prop him,
and that was the last straw. Jonah knocked it out of his hand. Or tried to; it
wasn’t a knock with enough power behind it to get out of a wet paper bag. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don't worry about it, I can lift my own damn
pillow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare lifted his knees anyway, putting the pillow
under them. “Enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then leave!” Jonah spat at him. “Get out for God’s
sake and leave me alone, I don’t want you here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare caught his hand and put it down, holding it
with enough strength for Jonah to look up at him in spite of himself. “Jonah. I
am not leaving. No one is leaving.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“There isn't anything to stay for! I'm broken, there isn't anything that can be
fixed and the sooner you realize that the better off you'll be. This is it. The
End, I’m done. You can’t come up with the magic answer to this one, you don't want
to stick this out, you saw the way everyone was looking at me in that pub. I’ll
never earn again, I’ll never be any bloody good for anything again as I long as
I live and you need to get back to your work before there isn't anything left.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t care if you want me here or not,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You <i>should!</i>
You didn't sign up to be married to a cripple!
I wouldn't put that burden on you!
I'm fucking useless and this is it, this is how it is! Ever after, RIP,
QE fucking D and you hanging around being sorry for me-” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You can spit out the most hateful, angry things you
can think of and you still won’t manage to scare me off.” Dare’s voice hadn’t
exactly gotten louder but it had got a whole lot deeper and it cut right
through Jonah’s. “And this is mostly tired talking, so you can close that
mouth. Jonah, I’ll go get the soap if I need it. Close it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah paused, mouth open, tears starting to pour
down his face in earnest as Dare stooped to pull his trainers off his feet. Dare
disappeared into the kitchen and for a moment Jonah seriously expected him to
come back with soap – he’d left their usual line several miles behind him – but
he came back instead with pills and a mug and sat on the edge of the couch to
hand both to Jonah with an expression that implied hesitating was not going
down well. Jonah bolted the pills and swallowed milk, half of it missing and
pouring down his chin. The cup felt as heavy as lead, he had to rest it on his
stomach to take the weight. Dare put a quick hand up to wipe his mouth, taking
the cup away and putting it out of reach on the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Thank you. Look at me. Jonah, now.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a tone that stern, Jonah actually wouldn’t have
dared do otherwise. Even this mad. Dare’s eyes were as stern as his voice, his
expression made Jonah’s stomach twist hard and Dare spoke very quietly but it
was as impressive as if he’d thundered every word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t you <i>ever</i>
tell me you’re a burden to me, or imply to me I’m shallow enough to care about
any job more than you. You come first, you will always come first and we will
not talk to each other that way whatever the circumstances. Do I make myself
clear?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The tears were running too hard now to manage
anything coherent but Jonah managed something like a nod since Dare’s eyes had
him practically skewered to the wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I signed up to be married to you. For richer, for
poorer, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health. So no matter how
scared you are, no matter how angry you are, it is <i>our</i> problem and we will deal with it in whatever way we need to. You
don’t get to dismiss me and do it alone. Neither of us know what the future
much looks like right now and I know how stressful that is for you, but frankly
it doesn’t matter because nothing is going to happen that we can’t handle.
Whatever we need to do we will do, and it will be together. Whatever happens we
<i>will</i> be ok.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a relief. It was such a terrible relief to
hear him say it. Jonah heard himself start to let loose awful, tearing sounds,
shameful sounds, and Dare leaned his forehead against Jonah’s, his hand
cradling Jonah’s head with his fingers spread through his hair. Jonah grabbed
him incoherently, plastering himself as hard against Dare as he could, and Dare
stooped and gathered him up, sitting down on the couch with Jonah in his lap.
He didn’t say anything for a while, holding him while he cried himself out. Jonah
gripped him in a strangle hold, clutching tightly enough that it must have been
painful but Dare didn’t comment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m sorry.” Jonah said eventually when he had the
breath. “I’m so sorry. That was a terrible thing to say, I don’t mean it. You
know I don’t mean any of it-”<br />
<br />
“I know.” Dare said firmly. “It’s been relentless and you need to grieve. I
know it’s hard.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But it’s hard for you too-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’re going to get through this together. And in
this state you’re headed to bed.” Dare got up, lifting Jonah with him. Poppet
was laying at his feet. She had backed away while Jonah was shouting but at
some point she had settled down with them and she got up quite confidently,
shaking herself and trotting after Dare as he carried Jonah upstairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was the first time she had come upstairs with
them but she trotted up as if she owned the place and sat near the top of the
stairs watching while Dare laid Jonah down on the bed and undressed him, not
letting him help. He settled Jonah under the covers, laying him flat and
pulling pillows into place to support his arms and neck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m going to get lunch. Stay put.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“For a first try at going out….” Jonah said
something like lightly. Dare leaned over and kissed him, firmly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It was our first try. We’ll get better at it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he came upstairs a few minutes later with a mug
of soup and some toast, Jonah was watching out of the large window, his eyes on
the river. It was one of the biggest reasons he had chosen this cottage; that
Jonah, who could spend hours watching water flow by, could see it from couch or
bed, a wide uninterrupted view of the kind he loved. Poppet was curled up on
the bed beside him, her chin on his knee, and his hand was on her fluffy black
back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #17365d; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I aimed sharp, hurtful words at you today. I
didn't mean it, I just can't seem to get out of this hole of self pity and
you're the closest target. To my surprise, they seemed to stop short
of you, instead piercing the wall that's developed between us. There's
daylight there and I can see you on the other side, holding out your
hand. It's not with pity, intending to carry me forward just
because. It's you, reminding me that you've got me and that the wall
isn't between us, it's around us. We’re okay, as long as we’re together.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #17365d; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So it was too much too fast.” Jamie advised when he
dropped in a couple of days later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No one can get exhausted just sitting in a chair.”
Jonah complained. Jamie took no notice, grabbing a pen and notebook from his
bag and sitting on the edge of the sofa beside him. Poppet had taken to
climbing to the top of the pillows behind Jonah, as high as she could get and
curling into a ball behind his shoulder, and she watched the movement of the
pen with large dark eyes, her chin against Jonah’s arm. She was, as Jonah
termed it, a cuddle monster; a tendency that was growing as fast as her
confidence was. She spent much of her sleeping time on or against him in some
way, and Jonah spent a lot of his laying down time stroking her. <br />
<br />
“Yes, you can. Your heart’s working harder with you sitting up, you’ve been
mostly laying down for the last month. Use the recliner, get used to half an
hour sitting up a couple of times a day. We have to work out your threshold and
then stay below it. Consistently train your body to be ok below threshold so
you always have energy in reserve and you’ll have a better chance of gently
raising that budget higher. This is the routine you have right now, yes? So add
this. Every other day, fifteen minutes in the car. Just the car. Just driving.
Go have a look at the water front in the village. Drive past the church.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where can we get in fifteen minutes?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stop thinking of it as ‘where’ and think of it as physiotherapy
for now.” Jamie advised, handing him the list. “Practice. Before you start
getting scared to go out anywhere. If that goes well then in a week we’ll plan
in more time. And don’t pull that face, getting angry and stressed uses up energy
too. You have to learn to stay as calm and easy come easy go as you can manage.
You have limits, they’re here to stay at least for a while, so you have to
learn to live within those limits. Not just get by, actually get it together
and <i>live</i>. So sucking it up is going to matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah’s glare at him was not pretty but … where that
might have discouraged or angered plenty of people that was something Jonah
himself might have said two months ago. Being cold, wet, exhausted, off time,
broken sails, off route – you hadn’t time to waste on energy draining,
unhelpful emotion when positive action mattered. Jamie saw the glare and gave
him that sweet, crashing smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Yes, I thought you’d get that. I read about your training schedules, I know you’re
tough. Now <i>get</i> tough.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The roads wind forever around here, it takes ages
to get anywhere.” Jonah muttered, more than half mollified. Dare could see him
responding whether or not he liked it. Jamie nodded cheerful agreement,
shifting Jonah’s sweats out of the way to check his incisions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, they do. That’s why most of the locals shop by
boat. The waterways around here get you a whole lot further a lot faster.
Sitting in a boat rather than a car is fine for the fifteen minutes by the way?
You can do that instead if you’d rather. So long as you stay warm; getting cold
will drain energy too.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah’s glare darkened and he looked away. Dare saw
it and knew painfully well what he was thinking. At any other time in their
lives had they been here Jonah would had at least one if not several boats in
the boathouse and would know every inch of the waterways in the district by
now. Handling ropes, sails…. It wasn’t something he could do and his tolerance
for Dare doing it for him under his orders….. Dare could sail but he wasn’t the
expert Jonah was by a long shot, and it would drive Jonah mad. Jamie saw the
look and gave Dare a rather severe stare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey. This is the Broads, there are plenty of other
options to yachts. Most of us around here would get on the water on a tea tray
if we had to, it’s being out on the water that matters.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he left to go and energetically bully another
patient, Dare gave Jonah a meaningful look and Jonah rolled his eyes but
resignedly turned up the notebook and pen he’d put to one side when Jamie
arrived. He had been writing for three days. Copying out the sentence only once
at a time between rests, but five times a day Dare put the notebook in his hand,
and had informed him he’d be doing it
until he reached fifty, and it was not a sentence possible to write without
reflecting on it in some detail with a whole lot of feeling. Dare’s clear,
straight handwriting was at the top of the notepad, giving him the words to be
copied: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>To have and
to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in
sickness and health, to love and to cherish for as long as we both shall live</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgyNUmGxkHgQ2XBaFFnl44OkegmfGUUMWeQg94ak0YFoP5rF8habR6t1VRLNuUb0uQlp3wsRgLWOliTnYePCqHQExSIYGiG9Y0Km7FxZ0c-W9okJzuch4_BP-28DeLJiNs3vO9uoBycsL/s1600/Sealark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgyNUmGxkHgQ2XBaFFnl44OkegmfGUUMWeQg94ak0YFoP5rF8habR6t1VRLNuUb0uQlp3wsRgLWOliTnYePCqHQExSIYGiG9Y0Km7FxZ0c-W9okJzuch4_BP-28DeLJiNs3vO9uoBycsL/s400/Sealark.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The boatyard at Stalham that Jamie and Mick
recommended was only a couple of miles up river from them – so near by boat
that one of the staff sailed her down to their staithe for Dare to view her
rather than insist he came to the yard. It was the very end of their season,
they had little to do and were starting to close down for the winter, the
tourists were gone. It was only the locals who were out on the water now and
made the most of the peace, quiet and early morning mists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She chugged her way quietly to the staithe mid
morning, and Dare left Jonah asleep on the sofa and went out with Poppet at his
heels to meet her. Not a young boat. She was clean but stubby and chunky, roughened
around the edges, long and low as all the boats were around here to go easily
under the few low bridges, white with light blue and primrose yellow trim and a
blunt, big prow and the name <i>Sealark</i>
painted on her side. Like many of the cruiser boats people hired here to live
on and travel in for their holidays, she was built with a saloon in her middle,
roofed with a thick glass canopy that slid back to open the saloon to the sky
in finer weather, and there were solid, broad and easy steps down into the
saloon from staithe height. Easy for Jonah to navigate and Poppet ran straight
down them without hesitation to investigate the interior, her tail waving
behind her. The girl wagged her way around the world, her tail almost never
stopped. The saloon had two dark blue sofas built into the hull, one on each
side and long enough and wide enough for Jonah to comfortably lay down on, with
a table in the middle. Her steering seat was on a platform in the forward left
corner of the saloon in front of the wheel and the clear glass windscreen, and
two small steps led down deeper into the boat’s nose where a small galley
kitchen had a sink, oven, microwave, kettle and fridge as well as stocked
cupboards with cutlery and china, and a door to a small outside deck well for
sitting or fishing. Aft of the saloon a door opened into a small very low
roofed cabin that filled the end of the boat, a large mattressed island took up
most of the floor space as a double bed with a few drawers and cabinets built
into the hull, and a small but functional en suite bathroom held a toilet, sink
and shower. She was small and compact. She had central heating, she had places
where it was perfectly possible to lie down and sleep in comfort with the
capacity to make meals and hot drinks. And she was petrol fuelled with multiple
fuelling stops available up and down the Broads, and an engine that meant
sailing her took little effort beyond turning on her ignition and steering her.
And like all boats meant for the shallow Broads, she was near enough flat
bottomed and very stable. In many ways she was a waterborne old camper van. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah would not approve at all. In boat terms, this
was a Citroen 3CV compared to Jonah’s catamaran as an Aston Martin. But here
and now, she was exactly what they needed. The boatman had been running the
central heating all the while he sailed her down here as it had been one of
Dare’s main features of interest in her with the wide sofa being the other, and
the cabin was warm. The boatyard was more than keen to rent her out for the
winter, and as one of their ‘old girls’ as they put it, one of their most
elderly and battered boats in their fleet, the rent was more than reasonable.
With another quick glance into the cottage to check on Jonah, Dare took the
wheel and with the man’s guidance sailed her briefly a few hundred yards down
river to try her out while Poppet stood on the bottom step with her front feet
on the top step to gaze over the side at the passing river, then turned her and
brought her back to the staithe. She was easy to handle in the gentle water.
Responsive, quiet, slow and steady. Dare signed the papers while the boatman
phoned back to the yard, watched the boatman hop aboard the craft a colleague had
brought down river to collect him, and they left the <i>Sealark</i> moored at the cottage staithe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It took very little time to put the makings of a
basic meal aboard her, add blankets and some of the vast number of pillows
currently occupying the cottage, coats and a few other essentials, and to fit
Poppet with the dog life jacket stowed with the other life jackets under the
deck which she accepted with interest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah, newly awakened, stiff and somewhat bewildered
as to why Dare wanted him to put a coat on, co operated with being lifted and
carried outside, watching Dare lock the door and whistle to Poppet - and Dare
felt him stiffen as they rounded the corner of the cottage and he saw the boat
by the staithe. He took no notice, negotiating the steps carefully and putting
Jonah down on the sofa in the saloon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s this?” Jonah demanded. Dare walked along the
side ledge of her to release and coil in the mooring ropes, jumped down into
the well of the saloon followed by Poppet and pulled the glass canopy roof into
place, turning it once more into a covered room. The heating was blasting and
would warm the room quickly again- although it was relatively mild this autumn
so far – but he took a moment more to get Jonah better positioned with pillows
behind him where he could lean back with his legs up directly alongside the long
window. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s called the <i>Sealark</i>. We’ve got her paid up until January.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>What?</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare took no notice whatsoever, turning the key in
the engine ignition and taking the steering seat. The river was deserted apart
from a couple of geese floating by and the engine spluttered into life,
chugging steadily as he turned the wheel and took her slowly out into the flow.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>This</i> is supposed
to be a boat?” Jonah demanded behind him, although he sounded quizzical far
more than annoyed. “This is why I don’t let you choose boats. This is not a
boat, this is a mess!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is the main kind of boat on the broads.” Dare
kept her to the right in accordance with river law at a slow, easy pace of 3
mph which was the speed limit on this stretch. They were already well past the
cottage. High reeds lined the banks for a moment or two, then gave way to open
grass banks and fields stretching away on either side into the distance.
Deserted fields. The windmill stood some way off on the far bank, its white
sails still. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where are we going exactly?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’re exploring.” Dare nodded at the kitchen in
front of him. “With a kettle. Dinner. And a bed in the cabin at the back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A….” Jonah glanced towards the cabin door, sounding
increasingly surprised. And not at all unpleasantly so, in fact that had
overtones of downright hopefulness. “You’re planning that we stay out
overnight?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ve spent at least as many nights on board something
or other as we have in hotels. Usually not as comfortable as this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well usually not in a flat bottomed, engined
tourist <i>bathtub</i>.” Jonah pointed out.
Dare who knew the tone and that he was now mostly joking, grinned, leaning on
the wheel to watch a deer in the far distance on one of the bare fields lift
its head to look at them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ideal boat for the area.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ve been kidnapped.” Jonah said to Poppet who had
jumped up onto the sofa beside him and was gazing out of the window at the
slowly passing scenery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is covering distance and scenery and exploring
while you still get to lay down while you do it.” Dare pointed out. “That couch
converts to a double bed too by the way so if need be we can explore the area
without you getting out of your pyjamas.”<br />
<br />
“Before I went into hospital I hadn’t owned a pair of pyjamas in twenty years.”
Jonah pointed out. “You said you were worried I was going to shock the nurses,
and I thought at the time it was mostly jealousy. This is the nautical
equivalent of a wheelbarrow.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare laughed but shook his head. “Live with it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">About twenty minutes down river a narrow, winding
stretch opened up abruptly into a lake so large that the other side was out of
sight. The water was grey blue here, different to the river’s soft brown, and
Jonah sat up a little straighter to see, something near enthusiasm in his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This is one of the broads, I’ve read about them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Barton Broad.” Dare nodded him at the sign at the
broad mouth, having read what he could from the maps of the area. “This is the
second largest of the lot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">These man-made lakes linked up by rivers were what
was left from medieval peat excavations, a trade that had once been run by the many
local monasteries in the area selling peat fuel to the cities of Great Yarmouth
and Norwich. The wide, deep pits and the shallow trenches that linked them had
flooded centuries ago as the sea levels rose, forming the lakes and network of
rivers that linked them all together into 120 miles of navigable waterway. On
either side of the banks the reeds had once provided a living for many people
and roofs for many buildings, and the patches of woodland varied in state from
true woodland to marsh and fen, much of it protected wildlife sanctuaries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The tide and the wind on the open water was stronger
here and the speed limit higher. Dare turned up the throttle a little to keep the
<i>Sealark</i> steady as they moved out into
the lake, aware Jonah’s eyes had taken on the hundred-mile gaze that was
familiar when he was looking out over open water. He was rapt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The afternoon sun glinted off the water, glittering
all around them, and for a long, slow half hour Dare navigated her all the way
around the lake in a circle, from a fenced off wildlife area where several
herons and a number of terns stood on the posts that held the nets sinking deep
down into the water, to the entrance to the river that wound on towards the
village of Ludham, to the entrance to the small waterway that led into the
village of Neatishead, to the several tiny dyke waterways large enough only for
very small craft and rowing boats, that belonged to the several very large
houses and private estates hidden some way off in the woodland. In the
Victorian age this had been a busy area for boat building, for the huge wherry
boats that took goods up and down these waterways, trading, and for leisure.
The small island in the middle of the lake had once been a popular Sunday
afternoon picnic spot where a band was rowed out to play for the assembled
crowds. This late in the season there were many moored boats in the distance
around the Neatishead staithe but no one else sailing. Dare took the <i>Sealark</i> out to the far side of the lake
to one of the quietest, most deserted spots in the shelter of some woodland
where the water was deep, and Jonah watched him turn off the engine, head out
onto the deck well at the front and drop the mud weight; the large, heavy
weight that worked as an anchor. It would hold the Sealark secure on this spot,
and she would swing gently around it on her chain on the open water. They had
spent many nights on yachts at anchor in many very similar situations, although
usually on sea rather than calm, steady water like this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With <i>Sealark</i>
stable, Dare came back into the cabin, put the kettle on and came to Jonah
while it boiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on. Up. I’ll turn this into a bed, we’ll sleep
in here by the heater with the view. The cabin’s got smaller windows.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah perched, with his help, on the steering chair,
looking over the simple dashboard while Dare converted the sofa bed, made it up
with the thick duvet, several blankets and pillows he’d taken from the cottage,
and came to help Jonah take his coat off. Jonah pulled a face at the sight of
the pyjamas he put out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s three o clock in the afternoon, I’m not going
to bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Yes, you are.” Dare helped him out of his sweat shirt, exchanging it for the
pyjama top. “We’re budgeting energy, remember? Strange place, new things to
look at, more energy being used, so you don’t need to be wasting any getting
cold and sitting in uncomfortable positions. You can lay in bed and admire the
view.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And the bedding was familiar to Jonah, comfortable
and well padded. Settled under the duvet and well propped on pillows with a 360
degree view through the saloon glass Jonah lay back and his eyes went straight
back to the water, starting to examine the terrain around him in more detail.
Now the boat was still and the engine off, wildlife was starting to re emerge
around them. Birds of all descriptions. Terns and geese, fishing grebes, gulls.
Poppet, who approved of blankets and bedding, stood still to examine a pair of
ducks that landed on the roof, then leapt up onto the bed, turned around a few
times and lay down with her chin on Jonah’s knee, also looking at the view.
Automatically Jonah’s hand moved to silk her ears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They drank tea and ate sandwiches for dinner, gently
rocked by the boat on the water and watching the sun get slowly longer and
softer as it sank. Near twilight Dare took up the mud weight, took the <i>Sealark</i> to a staithe and moored her long
enough to let Poppet off to stretch her legs and run, exploring the stretch of
woodland beyond while Dare walked. Jonah was asleep when they came back on
board and he didn’t wake through Dare sailing <i>Sealark</i> back out to open water and mooring her for the night as the
sun sank down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stirred once in the late evening, turning stiffly
and uncomfortably over, but Dare, in bed beside him and laying down his book
he’d been reading by the soft cabin light, felt a sleepy arm slide around his
waist and Jonah’s head landed on his chest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Whatcha reading?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Another detective novel I picked up. The shop in
the village has a second hand book rack.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Poppet was laying between them, flopped on the duvet
and snoring gently. Beyond that was the soft sound of water, the soft movement
of the boat, the regular creaks of the mud weight chain as she moved. The air
was fresher out here on the water somehow. The cabin was cool but in the warmth
of the covers it was rather pleasant. A fox barked somewhere, a long way off. It
was the first spontaneous gesture of affection he’d made in a while. Dare held
him, trying hard not to show the surprise or the welcome of it; Jonah had
always been demonstrative, a physically very affectionate man free with his
hugs and kisses, and keen on a lively and active sex life. The distance of the
past month had been alarming, and between medication and pain, their sex life
had been the last thing on either of their minds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This was the first night on the water since the
accident and Dare had been prepared – dreading – that it might be too much,
that it might trigger nightmares, flashbacks for him. But in the dimly lit
cabin surrounded by the utter blackness of the water Jonah sank almost
immediately back to sleep against him. Dare felt him move only once more,
somewhere near two am, and turned over to find him awake but laying looking out
of the window. The water was shadowy and hard to see, but Jonah was relaxed,
listening, one arm behind his head. Dare padded out of bed into the kitchen a
few feet away, bringing back biscuits and mugs of tea and they picnicked
sitting up bed with the warmth of the covers, watching the night outside. After
which Jonah turned out the light as Dare put the mugs under the bed, slid down
and curled up with Dare again, and his body was more peaceful than Dare had
felt it in what felt like a very long time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the end, it was three days before they went back
to the cottage. Dare kept them rigidly to Jonah’s routine but they followed the
river Ant down to Ludham Bridge and turned right into the river Bure, following
it on to the village where Dare moored the <i>Sealark</i>
at the village green and took Poppet with him, first to The Swan where he left
a message for Jamie not to look for them for a day or two, then to the delicatessen
in the village where he shopped. And from there, they went out into the wilds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For a couple of hours at a time, Dare sailed her
steadily along the river, following the winding path and periodically turning
her off into the smaller broads that lay occasionally to either side for them
to explore. And wherever they found somewhere wild and deserted and the water
was open, they dropped the mud weight and stayed a while. Jonah was handling
the route to the bathroom with his crutches, he stood to wash and dress with
Dare keeping a wary eye on him and despite some muttering about tubs on ponds,
washed the couple of breakfast dishes in the tiny galley and wiped over
Sealark’s windows and sills, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off the water. He
sat for a while out on the tiny fishing deck at the back, a place that gave him
time alone although Poppet, who didn’t care whether or not he wanted company,
went with him. She liked to watch the banks passing and stood like a statue for
minutes at a time on her hind legs, front feet draped on the side, her eyes
fixed and her nose snuffling steadily at the passing scents while Dare sailed
slowly on down the river. After half an hour out on the deck Jonah brought
himself slowly back through the cabin on his crutches, taking the couch near
Dare. Not saying anything but choosing a spot near him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the afternoon, aware of a lot of new experiences
being tried here, Dare made up the bed in the saloon for him and without very
much protest Jonah lay in bed and watched the scenery go by until they found
their night mooring. By the second day, when it was apparent he was managing
well, Jonah used his crutches in the morning to walk a short way along Ranworth
staithe to the small shop, sitting on the wall in the sun with Poppet and
watching the water and the bobbing craft moored around them while Dare bought
chocolate and fresh milk and a map of the broads which they examined together
to choose their route. That afternoon it was one of those curious Indian Summer
days that come sometimes in October in England, warm and still enough to pull
the canopy right back and they lay together on the bed beneath open sky, with
open water all around them at the far wild end of Ranworth Broad, and Dare read
while Jonah slept. The trees were fully turned now, the leaves falling fast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On the third day Dare came back to the boat from
walking Poppet who had been darting up and down the tow path chasing scents for
the several miles they covered together, and found Jonah sitting on the boat
roof, slowly and stiffly stowing the mooring ropes more tidily. He had good
handholds to move around, he was doing a lot of it by crawling, and he balanced
– he balanced naturally, the way he had done for years on boats in gales and on
ridiculously wild seas. He whistled to Poppet who bounded up on to the side and
trotted around the trim ledge to reach him, jumping neatly up to the cabin
roof. Dare loosed her mooring ropes, tossed them to Jonah and stepped aboard as
<i>Sealark</i> began to drift from the
staithe, stepping down into the open saloon to start the engine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah sat up there with Poppet for a while, watching
the river go by. When he climbed, slowly and carefully but climbing- actually <i>climbing</i> – down into the saloon, Dare
gave him a quick smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Coffee?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please.” Jonah stooped to pull Poppet’s ear gently
as she stood up on her hind legs, bracing her forepaws on his thigh to look up
into his face. Dare slid out from the steering chair, holding the wheel steady.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on then. Take her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah laid his crutches down on the floor and took
the seat, leaning over to kiss Dare in passing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
a tub you say. I guess that could be
accurate compared to the crafts you sailed Before. But those were your boats, meant to be
survived on, triumphed with, races won.
This beast, the <i>Sealark</i>, is
different. She is ours, a boat meant to
be lived on, lived in. And I can see
that it’s working, you’re breathing again on the open water. You’ve taken initiative, an ownership of
sorts, storing the ropes. Three days and
what a difference it’s made in you, at home on the water once again. But this time it’s living, together, you and
I.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2015/12/sealark-november.html"><span style="color: #999999;">On to November</span></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Copyright Rolf and Ranger 2015</b></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-24376048772649254072015-12-23T23:07:00.000-08:002015-12-23T23:07:22.643-08:00Sealark - November<br />
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #548dd4; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 48.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Papyrus; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKDHrhFyl6F87O_kQ52jGk23Ihy_ay5KfzkgSqoxsJlrbH5cDsISwT8k6pR0QU0UK7sgb17yjSFE6wrm8OLTAu022TZ_QaRZVF565zRiXk1ZOTh2aWMGXqF3YEcCsiEAqLL__7R_PgLpL/s1600/Autumn-photo_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKDHrhFyl6F87O_kQ52jGk23Ihy_ay5KfzkgSqoxsJlrbH5cDsISwT8k6pR0QU0UK7sgb17yjSFE6wrm8OLTAu022TZ_QaRZVF565zRiXk1ZOTh2aWMGXqF3YEcCsiEAqLL__7R_PgLpL/s640/Autumn-photo_Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">November</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a damp, misty autumn as it went on. The
leaves were falling fast now, the trees were half bare and flocks of birds were
gathering every day or so in the ploughed fields and marshes, grouping in their
hundreds before a flock moved on, heading to wherever they went for their
winter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They took the <i>Sealark</i>
out most days, often staying out overnight, and being on the water visibly
lifted Jonah in ways Dare could feel as much as see. He couldn’t resist
handling the boat in the small, customary ways he was used to in the same way
he was used to breathing; the way her ropes were stored, the way he moored her,
even if he thought she was a wheelbarrow she was still a boat, and more
important were the hours Dare saw him watch the banks, the bird life, the
occasional otter in the water, the open rippling quiet spaces of the broads
themselves. Water was Jonah’s natural home, and while this wasn’t the sea….. it
had a quiet, peaceful magic of its own and it drew him. The river was quiet,
only the same few local boats were out on the water and quickly Dare and Jonah
began to recognise Mick and Jamie’s chugging little cruiser the <i>Swanning About</i> moored in front of the
Swan in the village or out travelling the quiet waterways in amongst the reeds
and broads at the weekends along with a number of other locals who began to nod
and smile as they recognised the <i>Sealark</i>.
Poppet appeared to blossom on the boat too. Keen to be wherever they went she
spent hours sitting alongside Jonah gazing out at the passing scenery, or
curled up asleep with some bit of her on him or Dare, and she hunted happily
through whatever land they came to for her daily walks with Dare. She rapidly
gained weight, her coat became glossy and smooth, and according to the Wroxham
vet whom Dare got to check her over, she was about two years old and in
remarkably good health considering her experiences. Dare collected several toys
for her while they were there – there was little point in buying a basket since
her main sleeping mat was Jonah – and of the selection, while a times
interested in carrying around a squeaky soft toy which she shook and danced
with, flapping at the dangling with her front feet like a rather awkwardly
gambolling small carthorse, she fell desperately in love with the tennis ball,
which was deposited in the lap of whichever of them was nearest again and again
and again. Since the local village shop sold tennis balls, the house and garden
began to acquire a number of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie called around to the cottage two or three
times a week and what had for a while been chats and doing odds and ends of
chores around the house to get Jonah moving and balancing became getting him walking
without the crutches. It looked very casual, more like messing about together
than working on anything, but Dare saw Jamie keep a sharp eye on Jonah’s
confidence, never letting him push to the point of failure, always finishing
before he was tired, and he was good at making Jonah laugh, the real and actual
Jonah laugh that Dare had always been so used to. They bickered amicably most
of the time they were together. With the healed bones getting stronger, with
the simple exercises Jamie set him getting him more limber and with his pain
levels subsiding further every day, he was sleeping better, livelier, looking
better. His face was starting to look less gaunt, he was sleeping deeper at
night, Dunkley was steadily reducing the pain meds down and he was slowly
eating better as a result, even his hair was starting to thicken again and
regain its usual colour and grow to the extent that rather than subject him to
the ordeal of travelling, a hard chair, noise and sitting upright for a while
in a barber’s, Dare trimmed it for him for the first time in either of their
lives, with a towel wrapped around him at the kitchen table, which Jonah had
found highly entertaining. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So what’s your sex life like?” Jamie demanded
perfectly bluntly on one visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah gave him a look somewhere between shock and
amusement. “Mind your own business!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am thank you, I don’t want you hurting yourself
getting too enthusiastic too soon or turning into a monk because you’re afraid
to try. This is something we should plan for. Or are you letting him get away
with murder in that direction too?” Jamie added to Dare. Jonah laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He doesn’t let me get away with <i>anything</i>, believe me. Stop encouraging
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Between the pain he was in and the medication he’s
not been in the mood.” Dare said to Jamie. Jonah rolled his eyes, disappearing
into the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Jamie, we are not discussing my sex life!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We are, because it’s important.” Jamie crouched to
pet Poppet who was climbing up his knee to get his attention. She liked Jamie,
she had begun to let them know as soon as she heard his car coming up the field
track and to start wagging at the kitchen door in anticipation. “You need to
get on with it.”<br />
<br />
“<i>James!</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You do, you both need it so start practicing.”
Jamie said firmly. “Work on it before you get right out of the habit. You’re
going to need to experiment with positions to find the comfortable ones but
you’re three months post injury and the pins are secure, you’re not too
fragile, have a little fun for goodness sakes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Argh! I don’t know why he lets you in here!” Jonah
went into the bathroom and shut the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But you love me anyway!” Jamie called after him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
With Jonah out of earshot Dare lowered his voice, speaking rapidly for Jamie’s
ears only. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The hospital warned us with pelvic injuries,
especially in men – about a quarter end up with some kind of sexual dysfunction.
I’m not sure he remembers that part, at that point they were explaining he
couldn’t race again and everything else went out the window to him-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Three quarters don’t.” Jamie said candidly. “Jonah
had direct impact fractures not crush injuries, I spoke to the physio at
Bristol and saw the scans. And he was supported in water directly after the
injury, cold water that stopped things swelling, and he was as fit as all get
out at the time, his lower body strength was well above average. The physio
said during the surgery they were staggered how little things had moved around,
he didn’t have that much displacement at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What about the heart thing?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well I shouldn’t swing from the light fittings if I
were you?” Jamie advised, and laughed when Dare looked at him. “No, the behave
yourself eyes don’t work on me, I’m not Jonah. Try it out. If he gets
breathless, change the pace. I can see he’s healing and strengthening up
beautifully, I think the chances are high that the pelvis and all the plumbing
is going to be fine. And even if not you two will still have a sex life, it’ll
just evolve a bit like everything else. Stop letting it be such a big deal and
get on with it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stretched on his toes to kiss Dare’s cheek and
went to bang on the bathroom door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Jonah! Walking! Let’s go!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The experimentation process took some days. It was
only being long term partners who had put in a lot of dedicated practice over
the last few years that got them through their first couple of attempts, and
most of those ended up with laughing since they went fairly spectacularly
wrong. As Jonah pointed out, the romance when a, it was prescribed and
scheduled by Jamie and based more on ‘let’s go practice having sex’ than any
kind of spontaneous moment, and b, when for the first time since they were
teenagers neither of them were exactly clear on what to do and how to do it
anyway, was pretty much zero and it was difficult to take seriously. However
the laughing and it becoming something silly that ended a few times in teasing
and messing around and on one occasion a brief pillow fight was what saved
them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCp26kNBXvozl_HPM9DM8noOklcOv7CnBl1PSybUG70CLZ0U4frsFqaWVQbO2YF0E9BKBvPj7CtDwZea-mh4RMORwbh5lv8OcqDhS-yPu-X0Sv9Voc8LyAo6nTAgldkmIibS8vsK2FRDUB/s1600/977952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCp26kNBXvozl_HPM9DM8noOklcOv7CnBl1PSybUG70CLZ0U4frsFqaWVQbO2YF0E9BKBvPj7CtDwZea-mh4RMORwbh5lv8OcqDhS-yPu-X0Sv9Voc8LyAo6nTAgldkmIibS8vsK2FRDUB/s400/977952.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Over the next few days based on those experiments
Dare initiated several different times choosing different places that let Jonah
have a range of positions, although he was careful to the point of Jonah once
bursting out laughing again and demanding that he got his mind on the job. And
once Jonah felt he did have his mind sufficiently on the job using his hands
and his mouth, it was to great success as far as Jonah was concerned. The
reassurance was obvious that the plumbing, as Jamie put it, was certainly in
working order. Jonah got his own back by surprising Dare in the bath where
Jonah managed by sitting on the edge of the bath, to scrub him thoroughly,
paying particular attention to areas that made thinking about anything
impossible to do. After that… things gradually began to get a whole lot more
normal and familiar and like they had been before the accident, and Jamie was
right. That helped a great deal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They were making breakfast one morning, Jonah moving
somewhat stiffly but independently between fridge and table, when there was a
brisk rap at the opened stable door and Jonah’s face lit up at the sight of
Dare’s brother leaning there, grinning at them with a wildly excited Poppet
circling at his feet, tennis ball in mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Any breakfast going? I’m starving?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian!” Jonah got there first and Ian gave him a
close and rather careful hug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You look so much better! Dare swore you would if he
got you somewhere Jonah-like – could you have found anywhere further off the
beaten track?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s right on the river, it was perfect.” Dare put
the plate of pastries on the table and returned his elder brother’s hug warmly.
“What time did you leave London?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“About five this morning, it wasn’t too bad a run.”
Ian wandered to the kitchen doorway and looked across at the living room. “This
is a kind of brick built tent isn’t it? I’m amazed it’s got running water. You
two don’t change. I’m booked in at The Swan in the village tonight, Katie’s
taken the girls to her parents for the weekend so it seemed like a great time
to come inflict myself on you. Is that a boat at the landing stage?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s a tub.” Jonah corrected, capturing Poppet to
calm her down. From the shy thing she had been in her first few days she was
actively excited to investigate this new person. “And you could have slept on
the sofa here.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah I’ve camped with you two before, it’s too near the knuckle for me.” Ian
said mildly. Dare, hearing rather more tact in that than Jonah did about
wanting to give them space and not overwhelm them at a fragile time, chipped in
before Jonah debated it further. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jone, get another plate down?”<br />
<br />
“Look at you without crutches.” Ian approved, taking a seat at the table. “Dare
said you were nearly off the pain meds altogether now. And this is Miss Poppet
I suppose? Hello sweetheart. Where did the boat come from?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“We hired her.” Dare put coffee on the table along with the pastries and pulled
out Jonah’s chair for him. “She’s done the job beautifully for exploring the
local area, a lot of it is only accessible by water.”<br />
<br />
“It’s a beautiful place from what I’ve seen of it.” Ian accepted a pastry and
poured himself coffee. “You seem to be doing very well here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Feed yourself and not the dog.” Dare said firmly to
Jonah, who grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“She likes pastry. We’ll take you out in the tub
after breakfast and show you around, it’s even prettier from the river.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’ve got things to do and I need to walk Poppet.”
Dare reminded him. “I’ll take Ian with me to do that and we’ll sail when we get
back.”<br />
<br />
“That can wait.”<br />
<br />
“No, it can’t.” Dare didn’t trouble to change his tone in front of Ian; he had
known them well enough and long enough to not be surprised by it. Jonah shot
him a rather hurt glare and Dare shook his head at him. “No. You know the
schedule.”<br />
<br />
“You and Jamie are obsessed with the schedule.” Jonah said exasperatedly. “It’s
over the top now, it doesn’t need to be this rigid and it’s not necessary-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stop.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian didn’t interfere, noting that while Jonah
scowled he did indeed stop on the word, and after breakfast he went into the
living room with bad grace but without argument. Dare followed him for a
moment, then came back into the kitchen, took down his coat and whistled to
Poppet who shot off at high speed ahead of them with Girl on a Mission written
all over her, and Ian walked with him out into the grey mist of the November
morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He looks worlds better.” Ian said quietly when they
were out of earshot of the cottage. “I can’t believe the difference, he’s
acting like himself again, there’s some of his bounce coming back. And you look
a hell of a lot better too.”<br />
<br />
“We spent about the first month doing not much but eat and sleep.” Dare said
wryly. “But there’s an excellent GP in the village and the landlord at The Swan
is living with a very talented Physiotherapist, and they’re both keen sailors
and knew Jonah’s name. He’s got above and beyond support from both of them. I
think Jamie – the physio – drops in on his way home from work, he’s in several
times a week and he’s great with Jonah, Jone likes him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And you’re sailing again.” Ian gave Dare a rather
sideways look as they walked across the wet field with the mist rising up from
it towards the woods with Poppet darting to and fro across the grass,
quartering for scents. “I wasn’t sure he’d be able to go back on the water too
easily.”<br />
<br />
“I wasn’t either.” Dare said bleakly. “I was expecting nightmares, flashbacks,
but he was going stir crazy in the cottage and at the time he couldn’t even
cope with more than ten or fifteen minutes sitting in the car, not long enough
to go anywhere interesting – so Jamie suggested it and I rented the boat just
for him to be able to be comfortable and rest while he got to a change of
scenery. I wasn’t sure he’d handle it but he first day we took the boat out,
the first hour we were on the water, he just relaxed, he didn’t want to stop.
We’ve taken the boat out for days at a time, she’s been the best medicine for
him yet. She’s comfortable, I can handle her as well as he can without it
taking much work so I’m watching him and not sails and tillers, and Jone can
lay in bed in the saloon if he needs a rest and still be out on the water. The
rests are important. That’s what he’s doing right now under protest, we’re
starting to have to treat it as a chore he has to get done.”<br />
<br />
“It’s only half past nine in the morning?” Ian pointed out, a little concerned.
Dare nodded, whistling Poppet away from a particularly muddy patch she was
considering rolling in. Few people understood this other than Jamie and
Dunkley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s had a bath, dressed, tidied up downstairs with
me and made breakfast. Takes up a lot of energy and that takes balancing.
That’s what he means by ‘schedule’.”<br />
<br />
“But you’ve always had him on a schedule, it was the only way you’d get him off
the yacht to eat meals or do anything else.”
Ian said dryly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He didn’t get it; Dare couldn’t blame him. It was
something he and Jonah were still figuring out, mostly through trial and error,
and it was likely to be the work of months if not years according to Jamie. And
Dare could see that Jonah himself equated most of the problem with the broken
bones. Perhaps because it was easier. For a week or two now Dare had been
starting to guess from what Jonah said that even though Jonah had been talking
since they left hospital about the heart injury being permanent, at some level deep
down he still believed that everything would heal; that as the pain left and he
was mobile again everything else would improve with it and normal would be
regained. It was a very difficult thing to know how to respond to, what would
help him most. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, the girls Skyped mum and dad the other night.”
Ian said casually. “They sent their love and asked how Jonah was.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘Sending love’ was probably a characteristically
kind Ian fabrication. Their parents, settled in Miami with their sister and her
family, had been gone from the UK for over a decade and while they were, in
their way, slightly proud of having an Olympian connected to the family, they
had never been particularly comfortable with Dare’s steady refusal to settle to
a proper, structured, comprehensible career and a nice wife and children. They
didn’t exactly reproach him for not doing it, but their slightly bewildered
avoidance of acknowledgement said it all. Their grandchildren kept them at
least nominally anchored to Ian, but Dare was not someone who fitted nicely
into the gentle jigsaw puzzle of their existence. Ian, who had always appreciated
his younger brother’s unvarying, calm persistence in ignoring the direction of
the tide and doing whatever he intended with what some might call bloody mindedness
and others strength of character, had been delighted when Jonah burst his way
into Dare’s life and presented not only a strength of will that was a foil for
Dare’s, but much the same individuality. Jonah had a gift for lighting up Dare.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When they got back to the cottage Jonah was in the
kitchen, wiping down the kitchen table, coat on and ready to go. Ian saw the
look that passed between him and Dare, and thought his brother did not look
amused although he said nothing in Ian’s earshot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They took the <i>Sealark</i>
out. Ian had been aboard various yachts of Jonah’s at various times; they had
taken his daughters out with them before now shrieking with excitement at the
speed as the catamaran sped over the waves. This staid, gently chugging, slow
old lady <i>Sealark</i> was very different.
As she moved away from the staithe the sheer quiet of the relatively narrow
river running between the wet fields was overwhelming. Used to London, Ian sat
on the side by the saloon and watched the water run by as Jonah coiled and
stowed ropes and came to join him, Poppet trotting after him, sure footed on
the boat which she appeared to regard as home as much as the cottage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where does this run to?” Ian asked him. Jonah took
a seat, putting an arm around Poppet who licked his face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Through the villages – although plenty of distance between them, it’s about
three miles down to Ludham. Most of the villages are on the water, it makes
shopping easy. We haven’t sailed down to shop in Wroxham yet, that’s the
largest town – Dare, we could do that this morning, go all the way down?”<br />
<br />
“We’re not going around Wroxham without the wheelchair.” Dare said definitely.
The same expression flashed back to Jonah’s face, Ian saw it somewhere between
exasperation and embarrassment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll manage.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t want you to just ‘manage’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Even by Dare’s normal standards that sounded like a brick wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Driving you mad?” Ian asked Jonah softly, trying to
make him smile. Jonah grimaced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mother hen.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I think you gave him a hell of a scare. I was
scared enough while you were in Bristol hospital.”<br />
<br />
“I know.” Jonah’s mouth twisted as he glanced at the back of Dare’s head. “It’s
been hideous for him and he’s been amazing. He always is. But the mother
henning I could do without, I’m a lot better now than I was when we first got
here and he needs to let go a little. Not much, but a little.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwkXMsiGeV13PwiSgzS8XnA1kJigYhyphenhyphenZz3aIvgW7xkF2jeIQSLZNHuA8y3tKEgJGrxtYH1w1uQhK7WQ8gLPswW2UU2oNGDV4ls9XwEihBb7_JFpLVTf17YRHz8sjiaFl3fEluOXYSWMbY/s1600/P1000304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwkXMsiGeV13PwiSgzS8XnA1kJigYhyphenhyphenZz3aIvgW7xkF2jeIQSLZNHuA8y3tKEgJGrxtYH1w1uQhK7WQ8gLPswW2UU2oNGDV4ls9XwEihBb7_JFpLVTf17YRHz8sjiaFl3fEluOXYSWMbY/s400/P1000304.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They took the <i>Sealark</i>
up river to Barton Broad, out to where the river opened out into the wide, blue
and silver lake, and Jonah took the wheel from Dare who got his camera from the
cabin and sat on the side for a moment, taking several shots of the birds stood
on the posts and fishing on the water. Ian saw him frame one of Jonah,
something he thought Dare did automatically more or less whenever he picked up
his camera. They were passing the small island in the middle when they heard a
higher, shriller engine and Jonah glanced back. The small day boats, the little
open welled powered boats with their small windscreens and benching inside were
very common everywhere on the water through holiday season, all the villages on
the water hired them out by the hour. But at this time of year they were rare,
and this one ripped past them well above the speed limit, sending a heavy wash
behind them that made the <i>Sealark</i>
rock. Dare raised the camera and took a picture as it shot away, the three men
inside oblivious to Jonah’s glare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yahoos. They’ll damage the banks with the wash
doing that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wonder where they got the boat from at this time of
year?” Dare mused aloud. “Maybe the Wroxham boat yards do hire on warmer days
at the weekend. I suppose that would make sense, but I thought all the yards
closed for hire at the end of October.”<br />
<br />
“They’re a long way out from Wroxham.” Jonah pointed out. “Three to four hours
on those little boats and it’s still early, not even eleven am yet.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The little boat was disappearing fast into the
distance. A few minutes later a small, white craft with a wooden shell cabin
and a blue light on top emerged with a man in a police uniform and a lifejacket
standing at the wheel. He waved to Jonah, who slowed the <i>Sealark</i> and waited for him to catch up. The man was tall, young –
maybe early thirties – with dark hair and a Norfolk Police badge on his jacket,
and he drew his boat in alongside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Have you seen a day boat go by?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“About five minutes ago, heading that way and the
speed was off the charts.” Jonah told him. “Crossed the Broad and turned
towards Neatishead staithe. Where did it come from?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Stolen from a boatyard in Stalham this morning.” The
man was starting up his engine again. “Thank you. Good morning.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He disappeared fast across the Broad towards
Neatishead. Jonah turned <i>Sealark</i>
after him at a discreet distance, drew her over into the bank and Dare walked
along <i>Sealark’s</i> side to drop the
mudweight. They were in rather a good position to watch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re not exactly going to nick a little
fibreglass shell like that to go joyriding in?” Ian said, leaning on Sealark’s
side to watch the police boat disappear out of sight towards Neatishead.
“Particularly not in mid November.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Frankly if joyriding was the intent there would be
a lot more interesting boats to steal everywhere you looked.” Dare agreed,
coming down into the cabin to put the kettle on. “The marinas have hundreds in
winter storage. But the crime rate around here is very low – really
ridiculously low, it’s famous for it. Jonah, I want you to come sit down and
put your legs up for a while.”<br />
<br />
“I’m fine.”<br />
<br />
“Do it anyway please.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Jonah scowled but came back into the saloon to take a seat on the sofa. Dare
gave him a look over the coffee pot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Legs.”<br />
<br />
“There’ll be no room for Ian to sit.”<br />
<br />
“There’s plenty of room.” Ian pointed out from the far bench. “I’m fine over
here. Make yourself comfortable.”<br />
<br />
Jonah put his legs up on the seat but casually, bracing one elbow on his knee.
Dare brought mugs across, handing one to Ian and the other to Jonah before he
pulled the canopy closed and turned the heating up. He retrieved several
pillows from the cabin where Jonah had stuffed them and pulled Jonah forward to
stuff one behind him to lean on, putting the other under his knees although
Jonah was flushed and glaring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Will you stop <i>fussing</i>.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare gave him a rather steady look that made Jonah
flush still further, but he said nothing else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They ate soup and toast in the cabin, still waiting
for the police boat to return. It didn’t re emerge. While Ian washed up, Dare
raised the mud weight and sailed the <i>Sealark</i>
gently around the lake to the short dyke that led to Neatishead staithe. The police
boat was moored there and the man in uniform was tying the empty day boat to it
ready to tow it back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Abandoned?” Dare called across to him as he stepped down to the staithe to
pull the <i>Sealark</i> in and moor her. The
man looked irritated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Yes. No sign of them. At a guess they were picked up on the road the other
side of the woods here. The boat’s unharmed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stepped back into his boat, started the engine
and Dare gave him a nod as he sailed back towards Barton Broad, on his way to
return the boat to Stalham yard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Weird.” Jonah said from the couch. “Weird boat to
nick, and why go from Stalham to this staithe in the middle of nowhere?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe they live locally and got stranded in
Stalham? Car broke down, or they were drunk and didn’t want to risk driving on
the roads?” Ian suggested. “Or their car was being chased by the police so they
disappeared onto the river and hot-wired a boat. That must be rather a useful
get out strategy around here.”<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It seemed as likely as anything else. Dare looked at
his watch and came back into the saloon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jone, you need a rest. I’ll make up the bed in the
cabin-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m resting here.” Jonah said irritably. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then I’ll make up the bed in here and Ian and I’ll
take Poppet for a walk.”<br />
<br />
“I’ll walk with you, I’m fine.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare glanced at his brother, giving Ian a quick
smile. “Think you could take Poppet out? She’s probably desperate by now.”<br />
<br />
“No problem.” Ian said easily, reading the situation and picking up Poppet’s
lead from the table. Poppet took some persuading to go with him off the boat
and Dare picked her up to carry her onto the staithe where she politely
accompanied Ian, but with many hesitant glances back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Dare slid the saloon door shut when they were out of sight, sitting down beside
Jonah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Right. You can’t push like this. I know you want to keep up appearances, I
know you’re embarrassed but this is Ian. He’s family and he knows what you’ve
been through.”<br />
<br />
“I’m a lot better.” Jonah gave him a frank glare, leaning on the table. “If you
won’t let me try anything but your and Jamie’s precious schedule how do we know
what I can handle? I’m managing without the crutches, there’s barely any pain
now unless I move suddenly, I’m sleeping fine, I feel <i>better</i>.”<br />
<br />
“I know you do.” Dare said gently. “Mostly because we’re careful. I know it’s
frustrating.”<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ve followed this schedule every single day. One
day with a little extra will not kill me, I promise. I have to have some fun
sometimes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come here.” Dare demanded. He held out his arms and
Jonah rather sullenly slid over to him, but put his head down on Dare’s
shoulder. Dare held him, feeling the familiar comfort of Jonah’s long, lean body
against his. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Listen.” Dare said quietly in his ear after a
moment. “You are right. The plan has <i>always</i>
been to expand the schedule gradually and increase what you can handle, and
that is going to happen. We are going to do that. But we’re not starting today
when you’re already handling more than you usually do – yes you are. More
sitting upright, more talking, you cut your rest time short this morning. And
we’re not going to do it by throwing the routine out of the window. We are
doing well here, Jone. I don't want to see your confidence broken because the
first time you push you go too far and end up exhausted. I know you want to go
faster. We will experiment. But we’re not starting today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian won't be here long. How often do we get to see
him? I want to spend time with him, not be cooped up on the boat by myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ok, then you can rest here with us and we’ll take
him down to South Walsham broad, he loves the water. Sit over there, I'll make
up the bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah co operated silently but grimly with Dare
making up the centre bed and putting down a quilt to pad it and let Dare pull
off his trainers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I can’t lay down with him here, I feel like a
fool.”<br />
<br />
“You don’t look like one and he understands. And that’s how we’re going to do
it. People are going to have to start taking us as they find us.” Dare said
definitely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian fielded Jonah’s suggestion of going into the village
to eat that evening with a swift, tactful plea that he was tired after his long
day and would prefer a take away with them in the cottage. For which Dare was grateful.
Jonah came out of the bathroom while he was lighting the fire in the living
room; it was starting to cool sharply outside and was promising a frosty night.
He looked… distant. In a way that Dare could read all too easily from rapidly
accumulating experience as very tired. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jonah sit down.”<br />
<br />
“I’m fine, I’m not going to break.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jonah growled, but did it. The short, sharp tone was
a giveaway too. He’d been getting increasingly irritable for the last hour, and
it was worse since he’d stood up to walk back from the staithe to the cottage,
and he’d walked very slowly. Ian came into the living room with mugs of tea and
handed one to Jonah as he sat down in the recliner. Dare saw him try to lift
the mug to his mouth, then stabilise it with his other hand and put the mug
down with the tea untouched. Too heavy. Moving too difficult. He was sitting
leaning into the chair, too tired to hold his body upright. Dare brushed off
his hands and got up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ian, mind switching places with Jone so he can lay
down?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I do not need to lay down.” Jonah said sharply.
“I’ve been laying down all afternoon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Actually,” Ian said apologetically, “I was about to
say I’m bushed. Too early start this morning, a lot of fresh air and I’m getting
too old for these long days. Would you two mind if I skipped dinner, headed
back to the pub and had an early night? I’ll come over about nine tomorrow
morning.”<br />
<br />
Ian was as observant as he was a good liar, and Jonah often didn’t notice those
kind of social lies, tending to take people very much at face value. He looked
up in clear disappointment, he loved Ian, but accepted Ian stooping to give him
a quick, gentle hug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Thanks for a lovely day, I enjoyed it. The waterways around here are
beautiful. See you tomorrow.”<br />
<br />
“Thanks.” Dare mouthed at him as Ian gave him a swift hug in passing. Ian let
himself out and a moment later Dare heard his car start up out in the drive
space in the corner of the meadow. He moved Jonah’s mug out of the way and
crouched in front of him, running a hand gently through his hair to smooth it
back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re feeling pretty bad, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The look Jonah gave him was somewhere between
humiliation and utter frustration and Dare touched his cheek, unable to see
that face without holding him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s ok. It’s ok, we have to try this stuff out and
sometimes we’re going to get it wrong. Let’s get you to bed.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t want to go to frigging bed at five pm in the bloody afternoon! This is
ridiculous, leave me alone!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No.” Dare said frankly. “Because however annoyed
with me you are, I know you don’t want me to. Not really.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And that was true. They both knew it, and Jonah
glared at him but didn’t debate it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ve been fine for days while we were careful,”
Dare began quietly, “We can-” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t <i>want </i>to
be frigging careful!” Jonah flung his arm off and shoved himself to his feet.
“I am done with being careful!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, you’re angry and you’re upset because you’re
seeing for yourself the bones are fixing a lot faster than the heart is,” Dare
said firmly and as gently as he could. “And that this isn’t something
temporary, it’s probably how things are going to be. It’s a bugger Jone. It’s a
swine of a thing to have to admit to and you have every right to be angry, but
we can’t ignore it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll ignore whatever the hell I like!” Jonah
stalked towards the stairs, rather faster than he usually walked, and Dare got
up to circle the sofa, his voice becoming a lot sterner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jonah, stop. Stop right there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">True to his word Jonah ignored him and Dare
quickened his stride as Jonah made it ahead of him to the first few steps and
had a valiant try at storming up them. His legs gave way on the third, Poppet,
who had been chewing a tennis ball on the hearth and not taking very much
notice of them let out a high, panicked yelp and Dare lunged fast enough to get
a hand to grab his sweater, controlling his fall if not breaking it. He still
fell against the wall, landing on his hip on the stairs, thankfully with not
much force since Dare was dragging most of his weight upwards. A second later
Dare scooped him up, carried him across to the couch and out of breath and
shaking with shock Jonah let him feel his way rapidly and very cautiously
around his pelvis and thighs, terrified he was going to feel something shift or
crunch. When neither of them found anything to panic about Dare breathed out
and instead caught his head, turning it to look for scrapes, fending off a
whining, pawing Poppet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“Did you knock your head? At all. <i>Jonah</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No sir.” Jonah said very quickly. And meekly since
when Dare spoke like that you had to have brains of mush to push him. Dare let
him go and rested his arms on his knees, for a moment regaining his breath.
Then he fixed a look on Jonah that made him quail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am far too angry to talk, so you are going to lay
down here and not move. An inch. Am I making myself clear?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dare pulled a blanket down from the back of the
couch, covered him and helped him lay back, and then he stalked to the door,
grabbed his jacket and Jonah heard the kitchen door close as he went outside,
whistling to Poppet who followed him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The last time he had successfully made Dare this
annoyed…. Was four months ago when prepping for the Transat and didn’t get
around to putting anything to drink onboard for a 9 hour training run. Dare saw
the dizzy spell he had in the boatyard afterwards and asked awkward questions,
which was a habit of his since he knew Jonah far too well. Dehydration was
lethal when handling a yacht, particularly single handed; you couldn’t afford
to be disoriented, dizzy or nauseous, you needed sharp concentration around the
clock. It had been a stupid, careless mistake because he’d been too focused on
the new design tests, the speed, the trim, the things that tended to sneak up
on him and take over his mind if Dare let it. It had been a stupid, amateur
mistake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">About as stupid as trying to run up the stairs when
he was too tired to see straight or walk straight, hadn’t yet walked up or down
a flight of stairs alone since the accident and couldn’t risk a fall. The
thought of a fall, of damaging those breaks again… it made him sweat. Going
through more surgery, more crutches… The kitchen door clicked; Dare’s self
control was amazing, it never took him long to cool off and Jonah knew
sometimes he pushed it hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dare I’m sorry, that was so stupid.” Jonah said
from the heart. “I don’t believe I did that. I don’t usually make stupid
decisions and I know how stupid that was -”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You don’t make stupid decisions. You’re used to a
lot of independence and total control of your body when you want it, how you
want it.” Dare came into the living room and sat down on the windowsill,
resting his elbows on his knees to steeple his hands and look at him and his
eyes were very serious. “You’re used to being active and always having the next
challenge to look forward to. You’re not used to feeling always tired and
unwell and restricted. You are entitled to be angry. What you are not entitled
to do is act it out by ignoring me and taking very serious risks with yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are
appropriate and inappropriate ways to be angry.</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> That was a
lecture he’d heard a few times. And already shocked with himself and very
apologetic, it was difficult not to be floored further by being so
comprehensively understood. Dare never had trouble knowing why he did something
or empathising with the impulse to why and saying so, and it never failed to
disarm or to make Jonah feel very seen and very loved, even if Dare was at the
same time uncomfortably and directly specific about the parts he disapproved
of. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So what are we going to do about it Jone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I won’t try stairs again when I can’t see
straight.” Jonah said with a rather shaky attempt at lightening the mood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That would be a good start.” Dare agreed. “But that
wasn’t what I meant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It took a minute before Jonah understood with some
shock and felt his face flush hotly, his voice shifting to plaintive. “Dare…I
won’t try that again, I promise.”<br />
<br />
“I’m going to make sure of it.” Dare promised him. “However hard this is you do
not get to take risks with yourself like that, you could have done serious
damage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“….lines again?” Jonah hazarded, somewhat hopefully
since his mouth was very dry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I think we’re way past lines, don’t you?” Dare said
soberly. Eyes very large, Jonah managed something approximating a nod. He could
hardly argue. He watched Dare get up off the windowsill, walk into the kitchen
and re emerge with that wretched spoon in his hand, and he came to the couch,
holding out a hand. Jonah swallowed hard and managed to take it, letting Dare
help him up. Dare took his place on the couch, drawing Jonah to him. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Carefully, and lay on the couch as well as me, I
don’t want your legs hanging down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was also about four months since this last
happened…. it was how the drink-free training run had ended, a distant memory.
But here in this moment it was getting horribly, alarmingly and immediately real.
Jonah found himself pulling against Dare’s hand in spite of himself, his voice
starting to crack and rather to his shock and embarrassment, tears starting to
run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“…please….”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know it’s been a while, but you’re ok.” Dare drew
him firmly forward and helped him settle himself on Dare’s lap with his legs
and chest supported either side by the couch. He could feel the tension in
Jonah’s body and Jonah was breathing fast, trying his best to twist around to
see what he was doing as he slipped Jonah’s sweatpants and underwear down
without moving him. Dare put a firm hand on his back as much for comfort as to
keep him in place without moving enough to hurt himself and reached for the
spoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What are we not doing again Jonah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He heard Jonah swallow on a sob and his answer
wasn’t steady. “Lose my temper and take risks… ignore you... I’m sorry…”<br />
<br />
“I know.” Dare said calmingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He picked up the spoon, holding Jonah in place,
aware that to Jonah the spoon implied severity. In fact it carried a whole lot
less weight than his hand would and he had no intention of jarring Jonah. He
applied the spoon lightly but rapidly with a loose grip and a very flexible
wrist to surface sting with very little thud, and with extreme care. Jonah was
loudly and tearfully vocal from the first, it had been a long time since the
last time Dare had spanked him and the sting was shocking as much he was
embarrassed and ashamed. Dare did a very thorough job, covering every inch of
ground several times until it was all one even hot pink, wanting to draw this
line clearly enough that he wouldn’t have to repeat it any time soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When he laid the spoon down, Jonah was sobbing, limp
and what he would term himself as a complete mess, which had as much to do with
tiredness as emotion. Dare rubbed his back gently, giving him a moment to cry
himself out before he put a hand out to cup Jonah’s face and turn it so he
could see Jonah’s eyes. They were no longer fiery. Awash, but calmer.
Vulnerable and open and letting Dare see him, and there were times in these
moments when it felt like being able to see directly into Jonah’s soul, as if
Jonah opened the door that wide to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Listen to me.” Dare told him. “We are ok. We have
got this. We are going to figure it out together and we will be fine.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Ian arrived around nine the following morning to find a strange car beside
Dare’s. He let himself into the kitchen, tapping at the door, surprised there
was no sign of Poppet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dare?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hi.” Dare came far enough down the stairs to see
him. “Come on up, we’re up here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The loft bedroom was large and cool, and Jonah,
laying in bed, looked awful. White and limp, but he smiled when he saw Ian. Poppet
was lying on the bed against his leg, chin on his knee, and an extremely
beautiful young man was sitting on the edge of the bed and holding Jonah’s
hand. He also gave Ian a cheerful smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good morning. I’m Jamie, Jonah’s physio. Or at
least I am on the days when hasn’t pushed himself to a standstill. We were just
holding a planning summit.”<br />
<br />
“Hi Jonah.” Ian leaned against the stairs wall, deeply sympathetic. “Did we
over do it yesterday?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It was only a <i>bit
</i>more than normal.” Jonah said resignedly. It was a different tone to last night’s
bitterness; there was a resigned and faintly cheerful acceptance in it that
made Ian pause. That was the tone in which Jonah used to accept the weather had
turned or that a boat wasn’t ready to go out, it was familiar. Ian had heard it
often before and it had always been a part of Jonah’s somewhat mercurial brief
storms of annoyance followed by a new plan, and his brother had always been
remarkably good at managing and weathering those brief downpours of
exasperation knowing the sunshine was never far away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“More sitting upright, more talking and people around, not getting actual rest
which isn’t chatting or cleaning the kitchen.” Jamie said severely without the
faintest diplomacy, not that Jonah appeared to be offended, he was still
holding onto the man’s hand which was not something Ian had ever seen him do
with anyone but Dare. “That adds up to a lot, not a bit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You could nag professionally.” Jonah informed him.
Dare sat down again on the other side of the bed where Jonah could lean against
him and ran a hand down Poppet’s side, rubbing her belly which she obligingly
turned up higher for him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you’re feeling lousy Jone, I’ll go-” Ian began Jonah
gave him a wry smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, please stay. This is how things are at the
moment, I’m going to have to get the hang of you taking us how you find us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
I’d love some tea if you wouldn’t mind? Bring it up and come join the summit,
we could use all the help we can get.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nooooooooooooooo! I scream inside my head. It’s been too long, I’m not ready! It doesn’t matter, you pull me across your
lap and spank me. The shocking sting,
the embarrassment is at its worst but you help me through it. It’s another piece of normality
returning. And you’re right, I need to
help here. I’m accountable to us, it’s
not a free ride. Why does it take a
spanking to clear my head so I can remember that? I still don’t know, it’s just one of those
weird things that always happens, and why this relationship always works for
both of us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://rolfandranger.blogspot.com/2015/12/sealark-december.html"><span style="color: #999999;">On to December</span></a></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.9pt 0.0001pt 17.6pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Copyright Rolf and Ranger 2015</b></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-29187845862219742502015-12-19T22:59:00.001-08:002015-12-21T22:31:01.176-08:00FCR Christmas Story Final Exam<o:p style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Submitted by the fabulous Falls Chance Forum Moderators @Chris Dangerfield, @Trisha Louise, @DeeDee, and @</o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mackenzietwin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85UxMkQMn6uESSUwbICy3nDfYzBdRTzKcUKdahHuyOQKQbwrt3cVgxUjFcW4UaRgwR0BfvtA3X0pE0qP5r0ctRRNuxHdQi8VKWJ29qz8aORH5pgFImh2RETh1R5mi77bnI_GoUKnEDeFJ/s1600/bc1b7c27d71534a37b54b0f011aff324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85UxMkQMn6uESSUwbICy3nDfYzBdRTzKcUKdahHuyOQKQbwrt3cVgxUjFcW4UaRgwR0BfvtA3X0pE0qP5r0ctRRNuxHdQi8VKWJ29qz8aORH5pgFImh2RETh1R5mi77bnI_GoUKnEDeFJ/s1600/bc1b7c27d71534a37b54b0f011aff324.jpg" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->What
color jeans does Flynn refuse to buy or wear? (From Handbags At Dawn)<o:p></o:p></div>
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2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Who started the phrase ‘Pull the other one, it’s
got bells on’? (Freeman’s Field)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Gerry<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->David<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Philip<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Flynn<o:p></o:p></div>
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3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Fill in the blank (Twelve Days of Christmas): “Saint (blank).” Tom said abruptly. “Patron saint of boy scouts, I thought it was
appropriate.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Fill
in the blank: “Did you know (blank) was
one of the green things brought into homes along with holly?” (Freeman’s Field)<o:p></o:p></div>
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5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What is the name of the stud stallion in
Keeper’s Yard?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Brigand<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bandit<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Pirate<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bootleg<o:p></o:p></div>
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6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Finish
this sentence: “And if I’m expected to
walk and queue behind people unable to make decisions, I want the right to use
???????????” (Since this is a quote –
you have to be exact. Oh, and it’s from
Shenanigan’s Overlook.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What mountain does Paul mention in Shenanigan’s
Overlook?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Eiger<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mt. Olympus<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mt. Wannahockaloogie<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Erebor<o:p></o:p></div>
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8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->True
or False: In The Taverners’ Inn Paul
says the following to Dale: “My
Christmas is only complete when I can get Flynn to buy five pairs of jeans from
Sears.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What did Riley do that made Flynn yelp? (Frontier Mall)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Stuck his wet finger in his ear<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Tackled him in the mattress department<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Accidentally kicked him in the knee<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Gave him a wedgie<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What are the names of the snowmen in
Shenanigan’s Overlook?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bartholomew Shenanigan’s Overlook and Gluteus
Maximus Hurtus<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bartholomew Oliver Overlook and Moveyour Gluteus
Maximus<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bartholomew Oliver Shenanigans and Ignoramus
Moveus Maximus<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->None of the above<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fallschanceranch.forumotion.co.uk/t1149-answers-for-the-fcr-christmas-story-final-exam"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Final Exam Answers can be found at the Falls Chance Forum</b></span></a></div>
</div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-52228125458110301322015-12-15T23:44:00.000-08:002015-12-16T23:12:20.541-08:00FCR Christmas Story Trivia Pop Quiz #3<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Submitted by the fabulous Falls Chance Forum Moderators @Chris Dangerfield, @Trisha Louise, @DeeDee, </o:p><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px;"><o:p>@</o:p>Mackenzietwin and @</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px;">Ranger52899</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vwM0I8md2cWcAsu1cP0FVHiVKQ3GZXQVAT5Qogafi7hKAKfro5DjYg2NC8UjoLJYU1ImqLXSsDoqiN7NrF4fZiyxFBX8mnclfZ1ngCeF_agfuXuDjLah1uHTLrObqy-JL32MUDWkU4ZN/s1600/GXB05677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vwM0I8md2cWcAsu1cP0FVHiVKQ3GZXQVAT5Qogafi7hKAKfro5DjYg2NC8UjoLJYU1ImqLXSsDoqiN7NrF4fZiyxFBX8mnclfZ1ngCeF_agfuXuDjLah1uHTLrObqy-JL32MUDWkU4ZN/s400/GXB05677.JPG" width="307" /></span></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What are the names of the Shire horses Riley and
Dale are riding? (Freeman’s Field)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Petra and Jordan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Boris and Natasha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Petra and Boris<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Boris and Karloff<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->True
or False: In Shenanigan’s Overlook Flynn
parks in ‘red zone C’? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What song is associated with all the stories in
Twelve Days of Christmas?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The First Noel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The Twelve Days of Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Silent Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Oh Come All Ye Faithful</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What is the name of the switchboard operator for
the Sheriff’s office? (Keeper’s Yard)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Dory<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Drizella<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Kate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Doris<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In Shenanigan’s Overlook where did they decide
to have lunch? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The pizza place with bright neon lights and
singing penguins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->An over decorated Mexican restaurant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->An Italian restaurant with waiters dressed as
elves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The food court at the mall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What are the shape of Theo’s glasses? (The
Taverners’ Inn)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Round framed glasses <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->He wears contacts not glasses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Rectangular, frameless glasses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Red rimmed bifocals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->At the end of Frontier Mall, what is it that
Philip, Riley and Jasper hear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Lowing of cattle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Jingle bells<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Flynn softly singing on the porch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Paul playing Christmas songs in the house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Which six men went into Jackson the day before
Christmas Eve? (The Taverners’ Inn)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Gerry, Ash, Riley, Dale, Bear and Charlie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Flynn, Riley, Dale, Luath, Gerry and Darcy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Wade, Gerry, Darcy, Bear, Riley and Dale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Luath, Darcy, Wade, Gerry, Riley and Dale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Dale arranges for a wonderful gift to be
delivered from what well-known London shop?
(Shenanigan’s Overlook)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Marks & Spencer <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Harrods<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Harvey Nichols<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Fortnum & Mason<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In Keeper’s Yard Bear teaches Paul how to milk
the cow. What is the cow’s name?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Clarabelle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mildred<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Elsie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Moo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://fallschanceranch.forumotion.co.uk/t1139-answers-for-the-fcr-christmas-story-trivia-pop-quiz-3">Answers to the FCR Christmas Story Trivia Pop Quiz #3 can be found at the Falls Chance Forum</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-55998892880639723472015-12-11T21:48:00.000-08:002015-12-12T23:19:08.965-08:00FCR Christmas Story Trivia Pop Quiz #2<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20.8px;"><o:p>Submitted by the fabulous Falls Chance Forum Moderators @Chris Dangerfield, @Trisha Louise, @DeeDee, and @</o:p>Mackenzietwin and @</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20.8px;">Ranger52899</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64mMQx0ZdNLChSdhBdO7X1Z6qRwE7A7IZXf4dYTU9HV0cMmmENPTGmwJWBo7_clPOF-H2fffPzm4K508AjnEUsmGUSPquPX9SOyYHewAMnEDKUxEh6iI6tzmrpL2tdp6B9qaetRfMS4Pc/s1600/christmas_for_cowboys_by_robhas1left-d4k3hbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64mMQx0ZdNLChSdhBdO7X1Z6qRwE7A7IZXf4dYTU9HV0cMmmENPTGmwJWBo7_clPOF-H2fffPzm4K508AjnEUsmGUSPquPX9SOyYHewAMnEDKUxEh6iI6tzmrpL2tdp6B9qaetRfMS4Pc/s400/christmas_for_cowboys_by_robhas1left-d4k3hbo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The word ‘Sussex’ and the date ‘1929’ are on
what item? (Keeper’s Yard)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A tattoo on David’s forearm<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Engraved on a plaque on David’s sea chest<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Both of the above<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Neither of the above<o:p></o:p></div>
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2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What new Christmas tradition is brought to the
ranch from the visitor? (Freeman’s Field)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Making plum jam and apple cider<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Taking a polar bear plunge for charity<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Riding around the ‘neighborhood’ to see the
Christmas decorations<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Going wassailing<o:p></o:p></div>
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3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Darcy tells Dale that Bear used to have what
occupation? (The Taverners’ Inn)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mime<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bouncer<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Horse Whisperer<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Juggler<o:p></o:p></div>
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4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Why does Philip send Jake away from the dinner
table in Frontier Mall? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->He burped really loud and then laughed<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->He threw a roll to Darcy when Darcy asked him to
pass the bread basket<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->He tossed a piece of roll into the air and
caught it in his mouth<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->He put his feet on the table<o:p></o:p></div>
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5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->True
or False: Dale and Riley ran naked from the
downstairs bathroom to Dale and Flynn’s room?
(The Taverners’ Inn)<o:p></o:p></div>
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6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Riley introduces Dale to the seasons Wyoming
residents live by. They are early
winter, mid-winter, late winter and: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Damn-fer-sure winter <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Is it STILL winter<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Winter wonderland<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I’m frozen to the ground winter<o:p></o:p></div>
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7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In Keeper’s Yard, David and Paul do what for
entertainment?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Play Hopscotch<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Play Checkers<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->They baked cookies<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Telling each other tall tales<o:p></o:p></div>
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8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Dale’s PA, Marisa, arranges for Christmas lunch
to be served to him at his hotel should he still be in what city on Christmas
day? (Twelve Days of Christmas)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Milan<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->New York City<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Paris<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->London<o:p></o:p></div>
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9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In Handbags At Dawn, Riley takes Dale to which
two places?</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A bakery and a candy store<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A café for hot chocolate and a candy shoppe <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A bakery and a nunnery<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A candy store then back to Sears to hide in the
racks and spy on Flynn and Paul<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In Freeman’s Field what item does Dale keep
messing with? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Apples<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Holly<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>Paul’s pastries<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Flynn<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://fallschanceranch.forumotion.co.uk/t1127-answers-for-the-fcr-christmas-story-trivia-pop-quiz-2">Answers to the FCR Christmas Story Trivia Pop Quiz #2 can be found on the Falls Chance Forum</a></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-5837068620994773492015-12-08T23:49:00.000-08:002015-12-09T23:15:07.089-08:00FCR Christmas Story Trivia Quiz #1<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p>Submitted by the fabulous Falls Chance Forum Moderators @Chris Dangerfield, @Trisha Louise, @DeeDee, and @</o:p>Mackenzietwin and @</span>Ranger52899</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPELcGjTj-sEaYcRTT_ns4tcAoxGnI2f4xsAOniqfr07YI3ch69p-PWvqnaHKY5wAeOTWnFaVrSXuXsMiL_U3xc1I-HREYReP9hNidbP2dSCf98Kri2WB1VmR2AXF8ubFcln3_gFqgmhwq/s1600/blizzard_horse_ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPELcGjTj-sEaYcRTT_ns4tcAoxGnI2f4xsAOniqfr07YI3ch69p-PWvqnaHKY5wAeOTWnFaVrSXuXsMiL_U3xc1I-HREYReP9hNidbP2dSCf98Kri2WB1VmR2AXF8ubFcln3_gFqgmhwq/s400/blizzard_horse_ride.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Dale and Jasper have the best fingers for what?
(Freeman’s Field)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. Pulling bon bons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. Wrapping gifts in complicated shapes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. Stringing popcorn chains</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. Never you mind!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Where does Luath find Darcy (Handbags At
Dawn)? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. Notre Dame Cathedral</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. The Theatre des Bouffes du Nord</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. The coffee shop on the Champs-Elysees</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. A coffee shop in The Louvre</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Roger tells Darcy that he wants to buy Luath a
book for Christmas. What kind of book is
it? (Twelve Days of Christmas)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. A book on World War II</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. An Address book</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. A book on cattle breeding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. A book on the history of hockey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Who is teaching in Italy? (Keeper's Yard)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. Lito</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. Miguel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. Niall</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. James</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What reprehensible habit did Paul acquire and
where did he do so? (Keeper’s Yard)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. Counting cards, Las Vegas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. Toenail biting, childhood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. Umbilical lint farming, you don’t want to kow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. Cake baking, Maine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In Twelve Days of Christmas Philip goes to Texas
to pick up cattle. What type of cattle
does Philip hire Jasper to help him bring back to Wyoming?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. Texas Aggie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. Texas Longhorn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. Odessa Horned Jackalope</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. British Charolais</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Gerry wanted to add what extra bits to one of his nudes, according
to Bear? (Handbags at Dawn)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. Redder cheeks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. Xmas lites & a cowboy hat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. A fig leaf</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. A hefty pricetag</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In Freeman’s Field what does Dale tell Paul he
had for school Christmas dinner?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. Cold sliced ham, cold lumpy gravy, whipped potatoes and limp asparagus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. Cold sliced turkey, colder gravy and soggy sprouts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. Roast goose, glazed carrots and potatoes au gratin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. Beef Wellington, new potatoes and asparagus</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9.<span style="font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Which of the following are horses mentioned in
Frontier Mall?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. Fuzzy, Navel and Orange</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. Monty, Python and Arthur</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. Oskar, Fuzz and Monty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. Oskar, Mayer and Bologna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10.<span style="font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In Frontier Mall, Jasper takes Riley to a café
for a break. Finally Jasper leaves Riley
there alone – why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a. They’re playing hide and seek and it’s Jasper’s turn to hide</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b. Paul signaled to him to come help him get a gift for Riley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">c. There was a two for one sale on Christmas colored M&Ms at the candy store</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">d. To help Flynn find the car</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fallschanceranch.forumotion.co.uk/t1119-answers-to-the-fcr-christmas-story-trivia-quiz-1#14453"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Answers to Trivia Quiz #1 can be found at the Falls Chance Forum</span></a></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-45571216309723737052015-12-08T23:48:00.000-08:002015-12-08T23:48:48.499-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #3 Solution<b style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">The answer to Christmas Cryptogram #3 is:</b><br />
<b style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Shopping comes from prehistoric times," Riley argued. "I read an article on this, it's hunting. Prehistoric men shopped by spotting a yak and whomping it with a club, and dragging it straight home. Job done. They didn't wander round comparing yaks and drinking coffee and falling over fricking strollers. I'm a yak-whomper, it's genetic."</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><i>Shenanigan’s Overlook</i></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">Highlight the area above to display the cryptogram answer. Thank you to @Kate M from the Falls Chance Forum for our Christmas Cryptograms. </i></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-90871682838125994122015-12-06T00:11:00.001-08:002015-12-06T00:11:27.297-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #2 Solution<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The answer to Christmas Cryptogram #2 is:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jake glanced over at him as Tom stooped to fasten the silver chain around his neck, then lifted up the little medal hanging from it, looking at the little figure printed on it. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Saint George.” Tom said abruptly. “Patron saint of boy scouts, I thought it was appropriate.”</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Twelve Days of Christmas</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px;">Highlight the area above to display the cryptogram answer. Thank you to @Kate M from the Falls Chance Forum for our Christmas Cryptograms. </i></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-13905450659149600602015-12-05T02:45:00.001-08:002015-12-05T02:45:35.944-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #2<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">@Kate M. from the Falls Chance Forum has scrambled up some of our favorite Falls Chance Ranch Christmas Story Quotes for you to untangle. The quote could come from any of the eight FCR Christmas Stories.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, because Dale won't be playing (and we don't think any one else can do these in their heads, but let us know if you can) and a pencil and paper is still far too much like hard work--but go for it if that is how you want to spend Christmas vacation -- there is a handy tool <a href="http://cryptogram.org/solve_cipher.html">HERE!!</a></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A link to the solution will be posted in the tomorrow's Advent Calendar posting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here is your second Cryptogram</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
HBOL WXBDTLV YNLG BU QJK BS UYK SUYYILV UY ABSULD UQL SJXNLG TQBJD BGYZDV QJS DLTO, UQLD XJAULV ZI UQL XJUUXL KLVBX QBDWJDW AGYK JU, XYYOJDW BU UQL XJUUXL AJWZGL IGJDULV YD JU. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“SBJDU WLYGWL.” UYK SBJV BEGZIUXR. “IBUGYD SBJDU YA EYR STYZUS, J UQYZWQU JU CBS BIIGYIGJBUL.” </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">UCLXNL VBRS YA TQGJSUKBS</span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-23637180112868912102015-12-02T21:32:00.000-08:002015-12-02T21:33:20.983-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #1 Solution<b>The answer to Christmas Cryptogram #1 is:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: white;">“Hope I’m not interrupting anything?” Riley said under his breath, heading for Dale and Flynn’s room. “Or rather I hope I am interrupting, but in a good way.” </span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: white;">“Oh definitely in a good way.” Dale followed him, putting the door to behind them as Riley stretched out full length on the bed. “It’s Christmas, and Paul said I was supposed to take every opportunity to enjoy myself.”</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: white;"><i>Tavener’s Inn</i></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><i>Highlight the area above to display the cryptogram answer. Thank you to @Kate M from the Falls Chance Forum for our Christmas Cryptograms. </i></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-90223776837483674842015-12-01T22:41:00.000-08:002015-12-01T22:41:38.695-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #1<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><complete id="goog_870183192">@</complete>Kate M. from the Fall Chance Forum has scrambled up some of our favorite Falls Chance Ranch Christmas Story Quotes for you to untangle. The quote could come from any of the eight FCR Christmas Stories.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, because Dale won't be playing (and we don't think any one else can do these in their heads, but let us know if you can) and a pencil and paper is still far too much like hard work--but go for it if that is how you want to spend Christmas vacation -- there is a handy tool <a href="http://cryptogram.org/solve_cipher.html">HERE!!</a></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A link to the solution will be posted in the tomorrow's Advent Calendar posting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here is your first Cryptogram</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“MBDF O’W YBI OYIFJJLDIOYV EYUIMOYV?” JONFU GEOH LYHFJ MOG RJFEIM, MFEHOYV ABJ HENF EYH ANUYY’G JBBW. “BJ JEIMFJ O MBDF O EW OYIFJJLDIOYV, RLI OY E VBBH XEU.” </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“BM HFAOYOIFNU OY E VBBH XEU.” HENF ABNNBXFH MOW, DLIIOYV IMF HBBJ IB RFMOYH IMFW EG JONFU GIJFISMFH BLI ALNN NFYVIM BY IMF RFH. “OI’G SMJOGIWEG, EYH DELN GEOH O XEG GLDDBGFH IB IEQF FZFJU BDDBJILYOIU IB FYCBU WUGFNA.” </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />IEZFYFJ’G OYY</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-77960302624233918032015-11-25T13:29:00.000-08:002015-11-25T13:30:32.344-08:00When Giving is All We Have<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVR-Ofog3EfNSfQZoOOjX4GPPutXFuikne-xFKH3oE_DeRHaEiRmRo2l6X7DM2l6JFnYl1LQNNDq_gRUK62RWGHUiJ5HvA77lHKM260b7814qS7O7nQLczE_9qghy9deqNnmMxeskKxIG/s1600/img-thing.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We read about generations of love, support and understanding in this family and their conscious participation in the values they hold dear. Of being custodians of land and traditions and men's hearts. I thought this poem by Alberto Rios fitting. As a great many of you move into a time of Thanksgiving, I wanted to thank you all for what you give so freely to this community.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Trisha Louise, Moderator at the <a href="http://fallschanceranch.forumotion.co.uk/">Falls Chance Ranch Forum</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>When Giving Is All We Have</b><br /><br /><i>(One river gives Its journey to the next.)<br /><br />We give because someone gave to us.<br />We give because nobody gave to us.<br /> <br />We give because giving has changed us.<br />We give because giving could have changed us.<br /> <br />We have been better for it,<br />We have been wounded by it-<br /> <br />Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet,<br />Big, though small, diamond in wood-nails.<br /> <br />Its story is old, the plot worn and the pages too,<br />But we read this book, anyway, over and again:<br /> <br />Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand,<br />Mine to yours, yours to mine.<br /> <br />You gave me blue and I gave you yellow.<br />Together we are simple green. You gave me<br /> <br />What you did not have, and I gave you<br />What I had to give-together, we made<br /> <br />Something greater from the difference.</i><br /> <br />—Alberto Ríos, 1952</span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-57038284590079539462015-11-25T00:47:00.001-08:002015-12-23T23:31:34.878-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #6 Solution<b>The answer to Christmas Cryptogram #6 is:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What do penguins and polar bears even have to do with Christmas?” Riley said behind him.<br />“Peace on earth, goodwill to all men, hug a polar bear. I missed that part.”</span><div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Handbags at Dawn</span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-59537729843637743762015-11-25T00:45:00.001-08:002015-12-23T23:31:34.881-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #6<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kate M. has scrambled up some of our favorite Falls Chance Ranch Christmas Story Quotes for you to untangle. The quote could come from any of the eight FCR Christmas Stories.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, because Dale won't be playing (and we don't think any one else can do these in their heads, but let us know if you can) and a pencil and paper is still far too much like hard work--but go for it if that is how you want to spend Christmas vacation -- there is a handy tool <a href="http://cryptogram.org/solve_cipher.html">HERE!!</a></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A link to the solution will be posted in the tomorrow's Advent Calendar posting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here is your sixth Cryptogram</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ZIED JV XFCATNCP ECJ XVLEY UFEYP FQFC IEQF DV JV ZNDI OIYNPDWEP?” YNLFS PENJ UFINCJ INW. “XFEOF VC FEYDI, AVVJZNLL DV ELL WFC, ITA E XVLEY UFEY. N WNPPFJ DIED XEYD.” <br /><br />IECJUEAP ED JEZC</span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-57937813151618182462015-11-25T00:43:00.000-08:002015-12-16T23:15:37.695-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #5<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kate M. has scrambled up some of our favorite Falls Chance Ranch Christmas Story Quotes for you to untangle. The quote could come from any of the eight FCR Christmas Stories.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, because Dale won't be playing (and we don't think any one else can do these in their heads, but let us know if you can) and a pencil and paper is still far too much like hard work--but go for it if that is how you want to spend Christmas vacation -- there is a handy tool <a href="http://cryptogram.org/solve_cipher.html">HERE!!</a></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A link to the solution will be posted in the tomorrow's Advent Calendar posting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here is your fifth Cryptogram</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
“RKAEO, L’YU IUYUA OUC PFKCCUR OND.” QWLHLQ PKLR VLHRHO. “L’R WKCU CN PCKAC KC EWALPCVKP.” </div>
<div>
<br />
MANICLUA VKHH</div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-28184538326889022932015-11-25T00:42:00.001-08:002015-12-16T23:15:37.691-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #5 Solution<b>The answer to Christmas Cryptogram #5 is:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Darcy, I’ve never yet swatted you.” Philip said mildly. “I’d hate to start at Christmas.”</span><div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><i>Frontier Mall</i></span></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8263615442565229243.post-50024518721536349182015-11-25T00:40:00.004-08:002015-12-12T23:23:53.138-08:00Christmas Cryptogram #4 Solution<b>The answer to Christmas Cryptogram #4 is:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"We keep it very simple between ourselves anyway, but I warn you now honey, Flynn and Riley would rather climb the Eiger for you in a g string than have to work out what to buy you as a Christmas gift.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><i>Shenanigan’s Overlook</i></span><b><br /></b></div>
tarabeth1210http://www.blogger.com/profile/14902928357845152351noreply@blogger.com0