The House Above the River by Josephine Bell Read Free Book Online

Pip.” Giles congratulated her. “Bouncing about at anchor, like this, is the ultimate test.”
    â€œI’m fine, so far.”
    Giles put his head and shoulders out into the cockpit. There was a choppy little sea all round them. Near the hard at Penguerrec the whole surface of the water was white with spray, while further off, on the other side of the river, he could see great waves breaking over the rocks at Pen Paluch.
    â€œIt would probably be more comfortable further up the river,” he said. “And I dare say we could get the anchor up without being blown on the mud. If you’re both fed up with hanging about here so long, I’m quite willing to move.”
    â€œPersonally,” said Tony, “I’d rather stay put. You told us yourself it was practically impossible to get ashore at Tréguier at low tide. Here we don’t have to worry.”
    â€œFair enough.” On the whole Giles seemed pleased. “Will that suit you, Pip?”
    â€œYes. Particularly as it’s now beginning to rain, and I don’t see any fun in standing out in the cockpit, motoring, with water dripping down my neck.”
    â€œHow right you are.”
    Giles retreated into the cabin, pulling the hatch shut as he did so. The rain, driven by the high wind, beat down on Shuna ’s decks, and against her portholes. Giles moved about below, looking for drips.
    â€œWonderfully dry boat,” he said, complacently. Tony, who was lying on a bunk, with his feet up, reading, winced as a cold drop hit the top of his head.
    â€œMarvellous,” he said, getting out a handkerchief to mop the spot. He looked up to discover the leak, and received the next drop in his right eye.
    â€œOne small drip!” said Giles, indignantly. “I don’t think there’s much to complain of in that.”
    â€œI haven’t complained.”
    â€œOnly suffered obviously, which is worse,” said his wife. “Move up, and let me investigate.”
    Tony took his book to the opposite bunk.
    â€œIt’s stopping,” said Phillipa. “The rain, I mean. Not the wind.”
    â€œYes. I’m afraid the wind is winning at present.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” she said, presently.
    â€œWhat’s what?”
    â€œSomeone hailing us, I think.”
    Giles pulled the cover of the hatch back a few inches and a cascade of water fell down the companion-way. He swore heartily.
    A shout, distinctly heard by all three of them, cut across the singing of the wind.
    â€œIt’s your new girl-friend, old boy,” said Tony, lazily. “Nice day for a stroll in the woods.”
    But Giles was up on deck by now and did not hear him.
    Susan was on the landing-stage in a mackintosh coat and hat, and gumboots.
    â€œHello!” Giles called to her. “What are you doing out on a filthy morning like this?”
    She laughed and caught at the ladder of the stage to steady herself.
    â€œCan you hear me?” she called.
    â€œJust about.”
    â€œWe want you to come up to the house till the storm blows out.”
    â€œTo stay , do you mean?”
    â€œYes. Henry says it’ll be two days, at least, before you can move.”
    Giles went along the deck towards the dinghy, remembered he had not got oilskins on, and stopped.
    â€œLook,” he shouted. “I’ll come across and bring you off here, and we’ll talk it over.”
    The girl nodded. This was what she had hoped for, having been prevented from seeing Shuna the day before.
    Giles went below. The rain was nearly over, for the time being, and he had not got very wet. He put on oilskins and sea boots, and took the dinghy rowlocks off the shelf.
    â€œWant any help?” Tony asked, not moving. Giles made a face at him.
    â€œI’ll brew some coffee,” said Phillipa. “What does she want, Giles? The visit Mrs. D. baulked her of?”
    â€œBy no means. It’s an invitation to stay at