The Sound of Whales by Kerr Thomson Read Free Book Online Page B

you,’ he said.
    â€˜My fault. I overreacted.’
    â€˜Still, I should not have jumped from the cave.’
    The man had a deep voice and a sharp accent, not Scottish, not English, not American; some kind of African, perhaps.
    â€˜You didn’t jump. And it was me who told you to show yourself.’
    â€˜You were not expecting someone like me.’
    â€˜Not really, no. What are you doing here?’
    â€˜That would very much depend on where here is.’ He looked out to sea. ‘Where am I?’
    â€˜You’re on the island of Nin.’
    The man frowned slightly, as if that was impossible. ‘An island? And in which country is Nin?’
    Fraser hesitated, wondered if the man was joking with him. ‘Scotland. You’re in Scotland.’
    The stranger leant back against the fallen boulders and wrapped his arms around his bare chest. ‘Ah, Scotland. That would explain why I have been so cold.’
    â€˜Where are your clothes?’ Fraser asked.
    The man gave a loud laugh that echoed off the cliffs. ‘It was easier to swim without them.’
    â€˜Is that how you got here?’
    â€˜Yes, I am  . . . ’ He scratched his stubbly chin as he searched for the word. ‘Shipwrecked.’
    This was the man who had been swimming in the storm.
    â€˜Well, you’ve landed not far from town. Come back with me. Or I’ll go and fetch help.’
    â€˜No!’ There was a look of alarm on his face. He began again to glance up and down the beach. ‘You must not bring anyone here.’
    â€˜Then let’s go back to town.’
    â€˜No, I cannot go to your town, I must stay here.’
    â€˜But I want to help.’
    â€˜You can help but only if I stay here.’
    â€˜Why?’ Fraser asked warily. ‘What have you done?’
    â€˜I have done nothing.’ The man’s eyes narrowed and he pinched his lips together as if something hurt. ‘Except come here.’
    â€˜Where are you from?’
    â€˜I will tell you all you want to know but first  . . .  will you help me?’
    â€˜Yes.’ It was the least Fraser could do. In the storm he had lacked the courage of his convictions but not this time. The man looked cold and frightened and helpless. This time Fraser would help.
    The man stared for a few moments, breathing slowly, his hands clasped together as if in prayer. ‘Can I trust you?’
    â€˜Of course.’
    â€˜You will tell no one of my presence here?’
    â€˜Not a soul.’ Fraser paused. ‘You must be hungry. And cold. I’ll bring some food and clothes. I’ll go right now and come back later with what you need.’
    The man sighed and said, ‘Thank you.’
    Fraser started back down the beach but was halted by a call.
    â€˜Boy, what is your name?’ The man was at the entrance of the cave, almost hidden by the darkness.
    â€˜I’m Fraser. Fraser Dunbar.’
    â€˜Thank you again, Fraser Dunbar.’
    â€˜And what’s your name?’
    â€˜My name is Jonah. Like the story in the Bible. Jonah and the whale.’
    Fraser sprinted all the way back to his house and arrived out of breath, heart pumping. It was not just the run along the beach; he had found a shipwrecked sailor in a cave. That was beyond astonishing! He slowed his breathing, wiped sweat from his forehead and pushed open the back door into the kitchen, ready for the row that would follow.
    The kitchen was empty; no fuming parents, no dinner cold on its plate, only the smell of something cooking in the oven. His mum appeared from the downstairs toilet, wearing rubber gloves and holding a bottle of bathroom cleaner.
    â€˜Where have you been?’ she asked.
    â€˜Just out.’
    â€˜Down at that boat no doubt.’
    Fraser said nothing.
    â€˜Your father’s warned you, Fraser. He says it isn’t a safe boat.’
    â€˜It’s a fine boat. Dinner’s late