November-Charlie Read Free Page A

VHF antenna lights had to be on during the hours of darkness. Unusual for a cabin cruiser, she had a mast with two sails. The main sail was a one-hundred-fifty-foot genoa, with a one-hundred-ten foot headsail and storm jib as well.
    A door on the right of the bridge led out onto a small platform from which there was a ladder down to the deck. The deck, which ran all around the boat, had been well cared for as had the bow pulpit, which shone in the sunlight.
    Lou followed Staci back to the cabins and stretched on the made up bunks. “Lovely and comfy,” Lou said. “There’s even space underneath them.” She put her hands under her head. “You know I wouldn’t mind living on a boat. Maybe I should apply to join the navy, too.”
    “It’s fun,” Staci said. “We take the boat on holiday sometimes.”
    “Must be nice, being rocked to sleep by the sea.”
    Jim laughed from the doorway. “Comfy are we? Time we were going, it’s nearly five. We don’t want to keep Nichola waiting.”
    Lou stood and pulled Staci to her feet.
    Together the three of them climbed to the galley and onto the deck.
     
    ~*~
     
    Jim locked Avon up carefully, while an idea formed in his mind. He headed to the office to return the keys.
    “Thank you for letting us on her, Matt.”
    “Anytime,” he said and shook Jim’s hand. “She’s your boat now, I guess.”
    “Dad’s not dead,” Jim said sharply. “He and Mum are missing, that’s all. I’ll be by next week.”
    “See you then.”
    He headed outside to find the girls. “Come on, I’m starving.”
    “You’re always starving,” Lou told him. “Must be a man thing, because I never am.”
    “Will we live with you now, Lou? I don’t want to be sent away to live with Aunt Edith,” Staci said as they crossed the park. “She doesn’t like me.”
    “Don’t see why we would be. Mum and Dad will be back,” Jim said.
    “I know that, but if I can’t stay here until they do, I will run away.” Staci huffed.
    Jim stopped. His sister’s face was set and determined.
    What if the social services became involved, what if they had no choice but to live with Aunt Edith or go into care? Once he was eighteen, in a few short months, he’d be thrown out. But they’d never let him care for Staci…besides, he’d be in the navy and who knows where.
    “I’m not changing my mind. I will go where no one can find me.”
    “You can’t live on your own,” Jim told her. “You’re not old enough.”
    “I can. I’ll go live on the boat. Avon is a second home anyway.”
    “You’re not old enough go on your own,” he repeated.
    “And if you think I’d let you go off without me, you have another think coming. We’ll be the three musketeers, with Deefer being the fourth.” Lou added and pulled Staci into a hug. She looked at Jim. “Agreed?”
    “Agreed,” Jim said. “Right now, we’d better hurry home. My stomach thinks my throat’s been cut.”
    Over dinner, Jim kept running through the same idea in his head, over and over. He had to do something. Could he search for his parents himself? If he did, where would he start? And what would happen to Staci if he did?
    “Are you finished with that plate? It’s not going to clean itself.” Lou held out her hand.
    “Are you feeling all right?” Jim asked, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s not like you to volunteer for anything, never mind the dishes.”
    “I’m fine,” Lou snapped. “Mum cooked, so I don’t see why she should do the dishes.”
    “That’s very kind,” Nichola said. “It will be nice not to have to do them.”
    “We’ll help, Lou,” Staci said.
    “Even make the tea,” Jim added.
    “Anyone would think you lot were after something.” Nichola laughed as she left the room.
    Lou quickly cleared the table, shut the kitchen door and began to wash up. It didn’t take long with Lou washing, Staci wiping, and Jim putting away and making a pot of tea.
    He took a mug through to find Nichola engrossed in a