November-Charlie by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online Page B

lots.”
    “Anyone would think you were going to miss me.”
    “Love you, yes, miss you, no,” she joked, blinking furiously. The tears burning in her eyes were real. And that annoyed her. She wanted him to like her, not think she was a pain.
    Staci hugged her brother tightly as Lou headed to the boat.
    She put Jim’s bags on his bunk and shoved hers under her bed.
    Staci came in and hid her bag as well. “Now what?”
    “Now we hide.”
    “All night?”
    “If we can.” She looked at Deefer. “And not a sound from you.”
    Deefer put his paw over his nose, and then slunk under the bed, just his nose poking out of the end. Lou shut the door and sat on the bed.
    She heard Jim come on board and wander around above them. The kettle boiled, a spoon chinked against china and then his footsteps passed on the way to the cabin next door. Glancing at Staci she winked and put a finger on her lips. She just hoped Staci wouldn’t wake screaming tonight, else the cat really would be amongst the pigeons way too soon.
     
    ~*~
     
    Jim woke just after six. His heart pounded, and he wasn’t sure what woke him. He turned over and then sat bolt upright. There were noises in the other cabin.
    Sniffling and rustling.
    Grabbing his torch, he headed to the connecting door. He flung it open, and raised the torch in order to brain whoever had broken into his boat.
    Nothing...
    He glanced around, then headed back to his room to dress. Then he went up to the galley to make some tea. There wasn’t much point going back to bed now if he was heading off in an hour.
    Just after seven, he saw Matt’s car pull up and park. He gave him a few minutes before he headed to the office and knocked on the door.
    “Come in.”
    Jim opened the door as the phone rang. He raised a hand. “I’ll be in touch…”
    Matt answered the phone. “Cobden Boat Yard, Matthew Woodhouse speaking. Just hang on one minute, please.” He covered the phone and looked at Jim. “Everything’s in order. Have a good trip.”
    Jim nodded and walked back to the boat. He climbed aboard and hoisted himself up the ladder to the bridge.
    He straightened Avon and slowly guided her away from the dock and towards the entrance to the yard. He opened the throttle slightly and Avon gathered speed. Jim took her out into the river, down towards the sea.
    The he heard a scream...downstairs.
     
    ~*~
     
    Footsteps thudded down the steps as Lou hugged Staci who’d woken from one of her dreams again.
    The door flung open. Jim stood there, anger oozing from him. “What are you two doing here?”
    Lou looked up at him. “Stowing away, only you weren’t meant to find us until later.”
    Jim sat next to his sister and gathered her into his arms, holding her as she sobbed. “And I wouldn’t have done if Staci hadn’t woken from a nightmare. At least I assume that’s what it was.”
    Lou nodded. “Yeah. Look, I know you don’t want us here and that’s just tough. You go, we go.”
    “It’s not possible.”
    “Don’t give me that. I have my passport and Staci’s. That’s all we need, right?” She held his gaze. “You can’t do this alone. You know I’m right. And if you go back now you won’t be able to leave again. So it’s take us or nothing.”
    Jim looked furious. He stayed silent a few moments, and then took a deep breath. “OK. Fine. Assuming we don’t get stopped and turned back at customs, you can come. But you both pull your weight.”
    Lou nodded. “We will. I’ll help cook and sail, and Staci says she can do some of the cooking. Just don’t send us back.”
    Jim pushed a hand through his hair, which was doing that cute sticking up thing again. “We need to sort a few things out.”
    “Now?”
    “Yes, now. We share all the jobs. Obviously Staci can’t sail, but she could stand watch with the autopilot on if need be. We all help cook and clean. If you make a mess you clean it up.”
    “Aye, aye Cap’n,” Lou said, firing off a mock salute.
    Jim shook