The Storm Sister Read online

  ‘Really, I know it’s what Pa would want me to do. Get back onto a boat and into my life and not sit around moping. And, of course, win.’

  ‘Ally.’ He squeezed my hand. ‘We’ll do it for him. I promise.’

  When I went aboard the Hanse the following morning with the other members of the crew to begin our last few days of training, they also seemed infused with a real urge to triumph. And I was touched that every one of them tried to make my life as easy as possible. The Cyclades was nothing like as arduous as other offshore races I’d crewed on: eight days overall, but with a twenty-four-hour stopover and a rest day at each island we’d sail to.

  Theo had noticed I’d brought along my flute. ‘Why don’t you bring it on-board? You can serenade us all to spur us on,’ he’d suggested.

  As we sped through the water in the glorious sunset on our first day of racing, I lifted the instrument to my lips and smiled at Theo before launching into an improvised woodwind version of Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, a piece made famous by the epic seafaring movie Master and Commander. Theo grinned back at me from the helm, silently acknowledging the joke as we sailed into Milos harbour. The boys all applauded me graciously and I felt as if I’d paid my own small tribute to Pa Salt.

  We won the first leg of the race outright, then came third in the second leg and second in the third. Which put us joint first with a Greek crew. The penultimate night of the race found us in the port of Finikas on Syros, a small and idyllic Greek island, the residents of which had laid on a celebration in the harbour for all the crews. After supper, Theo gathered us all together.

  ‘Gentlemen – and lady – I understand you’ll think I’m a killjoy, but your skipper is commanding all of you to have an early night. While the competition’ – he nodded in the direction of the Greek crew, already half-drunk and clasping each other by the shoulder, dancing a Zorba routine to a bouzouki accompaniment – ‘are making merry, we will get our beauty sleep and awake refreshed in the morning ready to kill. Okay?’

  There was the odd groan, but everyone dutifully returned to the boat and went to their respective cabins.

  Given the proximity in which we were living with the rest of the crew, Theo and I had developed a night-time routine so that we could snatch a few moments together without arousing suspicion. As the only female, I had my own stuffy cubbyhole in the prow of the boat, while Theo slept on the bench in the galley-cum-sitting area.

  I would wait until I’d heard the others use the tiny locker room containing a sink and a loo. Then, when all was quiet, I’d creep upstairs into the darkness, where a warm hand would be waiting to pull me towards him. We’d have a nervous five-minute cuddle, like teenagers scared to be caught together by their parents. Then, in order to establish an alibi in case anyone should hear me creeping about, I would tiptoe back down to the galley and open the cooler box, grab a bottle of water, then walk back to my cabin and shut the door noisily. We were convinced we’d performed the charade so well that no one on the crew had the faintest idea of what was happening between us. As he pulled me to him on the last night before the finish, I felt extra passion in his goodnight kisses.

  ‘Jesus, I hope you’re prepared to spend at least twenty-four hours in bed with me to make up for all the frustration I’ve suffered in the past few days,’ he groaned.

  ‘Aye, aye, captain. Whatever you say. But it’s hardly fair to order the rest of the crew to bed early and the skipper to then disobey his own orders,’ I whispered into his ear as I removed a roving hand from my left breast.

  ‘You’re right, as always. So go, my Juliet, remove thyself from my sight, or forsooth, I shall be unable to restrain my lust for thee.’

  Giggling, I kissed him one last time and extracted myself from his embrace.

  ‘I love you, sweetheart. Sleep well.’

  ‘And I love you,’ I mouthed in return.

  Theo’s disciplinary tactics once again paid off. It had been tense being neck and neck with the Greek team for the final leg of the race, but as Theo commented triumphantly when we passed the gun in Vouliagmeni harbour on Saturday a good five minutes before they did, it must have been the ouzo that got them in the end. At the closing ceremony, the rest of the crew placed the victory crown made from laurel leaves on my head, the cameras flashed and champagne was sprayed over everyone. As I was handed a bottle to swig out of, I raised it into the air and silently told Pa Salt that this was for him. And sent up a fervent ‘I miss you’ to the heavens.

  After the celebration dinner, Theo took my hand at the table and hauled me to my feet.

  ‘First of all, a toast to Ally. Given the circumstances, I think we can all agree that she was incredible.’

  The boys cheered and I found tears pricking my eyes at their genuine warmth.

  ‘And secondly, I’d like you all to consider joining my crew in the Fastnet Race in August. I’m sailing the Tigress on its maiden voyage. Some of you may have heard of it – it’s a brand-new boat which has only just been launched. And having seen it, I’m sure it can definitely sail us to another victory. What do you say?’

  ‘The Tigress?’ said Rob excitedly. ‘I’m in!’

  The rest of the boys joined him in eager agreement.

  ‘Am I included?’ I asked him quietly.

  ‘Ally, of course you are.’

  And with that, Theo turned to me, put his arms around me and kissed me hard on the lips.

  This engendered another round of cheering as I pulled away from him, blushing to the roots of my hair.

  ‘And that’s the last thing I was going to announce. It seems Ally and I are an item. So if anyone has a problem with that, just let me know, okay?’

  I watched the boys all raise their eyebrows in boredom.

  ‘Old news,’ Rob sighed.

  ‘Yeah, what’s the big deal?’ said Guy.

  We both looked at the crew in astonishment.

  ‘You knew?’ said Theo.

  ‘Apologies, skipper, but we’ve all lived cheek by jowl for the past few days and, since no one else has yet had the pleasure of touching Al’s backside without getting a thump for it, or been awarded a goodnight kiss and cuddle, it didn’t take a genius to work it out,’ said Rob. ‘We’ve all known for ages. Sorry.’

  ‘Oh,’ was all Theo could manage, as he squeezed me tighter.

  ‘Get a room!’ shouted Guy, while the rest of the crew made various lewd comments.

  Theo kissed me again and I wanted to fall through the floor in embarrassment as I realised that love really could be blind.

  So, we did ‘get a room’ – a hotel room in fact, in Vouliagmeni. Theo was true to his word, keeping us both more than occupied for twenty-four hours. Lying in bed, we talked about plans for the Fastnet Race and beyond.

  ‘So, are you free to join me on the Tigress?’

  ‘I am now, yes. I’d normally be joining Pa Salt and some of my sisters for our annual holiday on the Titan in August . . .’ I swallowed hard and continued quickly. ‘Then in September, if I get through the final trials, I’ll hopefully start training with the Swiss team for the Beijing Olympics.’

  ‘I’ll be there too with the Americans.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll be quite the competition and I can’t have you winning,’ I teased him.

  ‘Well, thank you, fair lady. I hope I’ll rise to the challenge.’ Theo gave me a mock bow. ‘So, what about the next few days? I’m taking what I’d like to think is a well-earned holiday at my family’s summer home. It’s only a few hours’ sailing from here. Then, of course, I’m off to the Isle of Wight to prepare for the Fastnet. Would you come with me?’

  ‘For the holiday or the Fastnet?’

  ‘Both. Although, being serious for a second, I know you’re an experienced sailor, but the Fastnet is something else. I crewed on the last one two years ago and we nearly lost one of our crew as we were going round the Rock. Matt was literally blown off the boat. It’s dangerous and’ – Theo breathed in deeply – ‘to be hon
est, I’m now starting to wonder if it’s a good idea for me to have suggested you join the crew.’

  ‘Why? Because I’m a girl?’

  ‘For God’s sake, Ally, get over yourself! Of course it’s not that. It’s because I love you and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. Anyway, let’s think about it over the next few days, shall we? Preferably with a drink on a terrace overlooking the sea. Tomorrow morning, I’ve got to hand the Hanse back over to the owner down at the harbour, which is where I’ve moored the Neptune, so we could head straight off. What do you reckon?’

  ‘Actually, I was thinking I should go home,’ I said. ‘Be with Ma, and Maia.’

  ‘I totally understand if you feel you should. Although being selfish, I’d love it if you could come with me. It sounds as though this next year will be crazy for both of us.’

  ‘I really want to come, but I’ll need to call Ma first and make sure everything’s okay, then take it from there.’

  ‘Why don’t you do that while I take a shower?’ Theo dropped a kiss on the top of my head, before hopping out of bed and heading for the bathroom.

  When I called her, Ma assured me that everything at Atlantis was fine, and there was absolutely no need for me to return. ‘You take a holiday, chérie. Maia has decided to go away for a while, so she’s not here anyway.’

  ‘Has she? I’m amazed,’ I commented. ‘But are you sure you aren’t lonely by yourself? I promise that this time my mobile will be on at all times if you need me.’

  ‘I am fine and I won’t, chérie,’ she replied stoically. ‘Sadly, the worst has happened already.’

  I ended the call and felt suddenly low, as I did every time I allowed myself to remember Pa was no longer here. But Ma was right. The worst had happened. And I wished for once that I belonged to a religion with set rules to cope with the bleak aftermath of death. Even if I’d considered such rules archaic in the past, I now saw they were a ritual designed to help human beings through their darkest moments of loss.

  The following morning, Theo and I checked out of the hotel and walked down to the harbour.

  After a celebratory drink on-board with the owner of the Hanse – who was delighted with the win and was already talking to Theo about future regattas – we walked along the harbour and climbed aboard the Neptune. Before setting sail, Theo charted our course on the navigation system. He refused point-blank to tell me where we were heading, and as he helmed the boat out of Vouliagmeni harbour and once more onto the open sea, I busied myself restocking the fridge and the cooler box with beer, water and wine.

  As we cruised through the calm aquamarine waters, no matter how hard I tried to concentrate on the beauty of the seascape, the dichotomy of emotion I’d experienced on my last voyage aboard the Neptune came flooding back. I found myself thinking that there were similarities between Pa Salt and my lover: they both enjoyed mystery, and most definitely liked to be in control.

  Just as I was contemplating whether I’d fallen in love with a father figure, I felt the Neptune slow down and heard the anchor being dropped. When Theo appeared on deck next to me, I decided I wouldn’t share my recent thoughts with him. With his love for analysis, I knew I’d never hear the last of it.

  Over beers and a feta salad with fresh olives that I’d bought from a stall in the harbour, I explained to Theo properly about the armillary sphere with its quotations and engraved coordinates. And the letter Pa Salt had written to me.

  ‘Well, it certainly sounds like he was well prepared. It must have taken some planning.’

  ‘Oh yes, he was that sort of person. Everything was always organised perfectly.’

  ‘Sounds like my kind of man,’ Theo said, mirroring my earlier thoughts. ‘I’ve written my will and issued instructions for my funeral too.’

  ‘Don’t say that,’ I said with a shudder.

  ‘Sorry, Ally, but all sailors are in a dangerous game and one just never knows.’

  ‘Anyway, I’m sure Pa would have liked you a lot.’ I looked at my watch to swiftly change the subject. ‘Should we be leaving to go to wherever it is we’re headed?’

  ‘Soon, yes. I want to time our arrival perfectly.’ Theo smiled secretively. ‘Swim?’

  Three hours later, when I saw the setting sun flood the sky above a tiny island with a deep orange glow, reflecting off the white-washed houses dotted along the coastline, I understood why he’d wanted to wait.

  ‘See? Isn’t it just perfect?’ breathed Theo, who had one hand on the wheel and one arm around me as he steered us into the little harbour.

  ‘Yes,’ I agreed, as I studied the way the sunset’s rays had seeped into the clouds, rather like an egg yolk gently releasing its contents after it had been burst. ‘Pa always said that Greek sunsets were the most beautiful in the world.’

  ‘Then that’s another thing we would have agreed on.’ Theo kissed my neck tenderly.

  Given my earlier thoughts, I decided I’d definitely steer clear of Pa Salt’s likes and dislikes for the duration of our holiday.

  ‘Will you tell me where we are now?’ I asked as we drew into the port and a swarthy youth hurried to grasp the rope I threw in order to secure the boat.

  ‘Does it matter? You’ll find out in due course. For now, let’s simply call it “Somewhere”.’

  Expecting we’d have to haul our rucksacks up the steep hillside, I was surprised when Theo told me to leave them where they were. Having locked the cabin securely, we disembarked and Theo paid the youth a few euros for his efforts. Then he took my hand and led me along the harbour front to a row of mopeds. He fumbled in his pocket for a key and then fiddled with a padlock, which released the twisted mass of heavy metal chains wound around one of the bikes.

  ‘The Greeks are lovely people, but the economy is fairly desperate just now, so it’s better to take precautions. I never want to arrive here and find both wheels are missing. Climb aboard,’ he offered and I did so reticently, my heart sinking.

  I hated mopeds. During my gap year, I’d done as Pa Salt had suggested and set off to see the world with two friends, Marielle and Hélène. We’d started in the Far East and visited Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Making our way back to Europe, where I had secured myself a summer waitressing job on the island of Kynthos, we had travelled through Turkey on hired mopeds. On our way down from Bodrum airport to Kalkan, Marielle had misjudged a treacherous hairpin bend and crashed.

  Finding her seemingly lifeless body in the scrub on the hillside, then standing in the middle of the road waiting desperately for any vehicle to pass and help us, was something I’d never forgotten.

  The road had remained deserted, and eventually I’d grasped my mobile and called the only person I could think of who would know what to do. I explained to Pa Salt what had happened, and where, and he told me not to worry, that help was on its way. An agonising half an hour later, a helicopter had landed with a pilot and a paramedic. They airlifted the three of us to a hospital in Dalaman. Marielle survived with a shattered pelvis and three broken ribs, but the knock to her head still caused her serious migraines to this day.

  Sitting on the back of Theo’s moped that evening, having never been near one since Marielle’s accident, my stomach somersaulted with dread.

  ‘All set?’ he asked.

  ‘As I’ll ever be,’ I muttered, wrapping my arms like a vice around his waist. As we set off up the narrow lanes of ‘Somewhere’, I decided that if Theo was one of those harum-scarum male drivers who wanted to impress me, I would demand he stop and then I’d jump off. And even though he wasn’t, I still closed my eyes as we left the port behind us and set off along a steep and dusty road. Eventually, after we’d been climbing for what to me seemed like an eternity, but was in reality probably less than fifteen minutes, I felt him brake and the bike lean to one side as he put a foot on terra firma and stopped the engine.

  ‘Right, this is it.’

  ‘Good.’

  I opened my eyes feeling shaky with relief and c
oncentrated on climbing off.

  ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ Theo eulogised. ‘I mean, the views climbing up here are spectacular, but I think this has to be the best.’

  As I’d had my eyes tightly shut all the way here, I didn’t know anything about the views. He took my hand and led me across some rough, dry grass, and I saw ancient olive trees peppering the sloping land below us, which fell sharply into the sea beyond. I nodded to indicate that yes, it was.

  ‘Where are we going?’ I asked him as he continued to lead me on through the olive grove. I couldn’t see a single dwelling in front of us. Only an ancient barn, probably meant for the goats.

  ‘There.’ He pointed to the barn and turned to me. ‘Home sweet home. Isn’t it amazing?’

  ‘It’s . . . I . . .’

  ‘Ally, you’re awfully pale. Are you feeling okay?’

  ‘Yes,’ I assured him as we finally arrived at the barn and I wondered which one of us had lost the plot. If this really was his ‘home’, then even if I had to walk every kilometre back down in the dark, I would. I wasn’t spending the night here for anything.

  ‘I know it looks like a shack at the moment, but I’ve recently bought it and I wanted you to be the first to see it, especially at sunset. I know it needs a lot of work, and of course the planning regulations here are fairly strict,’ he continued as he heaved open the splintering wooden door and we entered the building. Through the roof, in the twilight, I could see the first stars beginning to appear in the enormous hole above me. The interior smelt strongly of goat, which made my already churning stomach turn over again.

  ‘What do you think?’ he asked me.

  ‘I think that, as you say, it has a beautiful view.’ As I stood listening to Theo explaining how he’d employed an architect, and his plans for the kitchen just here and a huge sitting room there and a terrace beyond overlooking the sea, I shook my head helplessly and stumbled outside, unable to stand the smell of goat any longer. Running over the rough, dried earth outside, I managed to get round the corner of the barn before I doubled over and dry-retched.