Eve of the Isle Read Online Free PDF Page B

steadily into it. But who else would rescue them?
    â€˜Suppose we’d better get out there ourselves,’ said Peg when the boat had gone. ‘Be ready for the wanderer’s return.’
    They dressed in the capes and after climbing carefullyout of the window herself, Eve reached back in to help Peg.
    â€˜This is a right caper, girl,’ said Peg, falling back in again. ‘I’ll skid down that roof like a roller skate in all this wet.’
    Eve shook her head. ‘No you won’t. Hold on to me.’
    â€˜Oh, all right,’ sighed Peg, grabbing her hand. ‘I’m all yours.’
    Eve put one hand around Peg’s waist as she sat on the window ledge, then pulled.
    â€˜Blimey, you’re only small, but you’ve got the strength of ’ercules,’ gasped Peg as she tumbled down on to the roof.
    â€˜Are you all in one piece?’ Eve helped her up.
    â€˜I dunno. But me mouth is still working.’
    They stood like two full-blown sails on the unstable roof, clinging to the sill.
    â€˜Right, off you go,’ said Peg. ‘Slide down and I’ll join you.’
    Lowering herself and, reluctantly leaving Peg, Eve slid down to the wall.
    A few seconds later, the sight of a large green cape billowing above her, made Eve gulp.
    â€˜Go steady, Peg.’
    â€˜I can’t do nothing else!’
    With a whoosh, Peg let go of the sill and somehow ended up beside Eve. They put their arms round each other, half laughing, half crying in the wind and rain.
    â€˜An acrobat at my age!’ exclaimed Peg with a throatychuckle. ‘Now, I just hope that Jimmy don’t lose his way back to us and end up down Greenwich Reach.’
    Eve smiled, but it soon faded as the rain soaked them once more. They clung together, waiting for rescue.
    At first Eve didn’t hear the shouts. She was too busy burying her head into Peg’s neck, holding on for dear life as the rain tried to wash them off their precarious perch.
    â€˜Ahoy there!’ A deep voice came over the drum of the rain.
    Eve looked up. Squinting against the waterfall that seemed to be over them, she saw it wasn’t Jimmy but another boat. Steering with a long, thin pole, aiming towards her, was a tall figure dressed in navy blue. Another man, clad in a blue cape and hood sat at the helm. On the side of the boat was a sign that read, ‘Property of the Port of London’.
    â€˜It’s the police,’ said Eve, surprised at their appearance. There was no love lost between the law and islanders. To see them attempting to help ordinary folk was a rarity.
    â€˜Take hold of the pole,’ the young man shouted. ‘And step towards me.’
    â€˜You took your time!’ cried Peg as Eve helped her forward. ‘You better catch me laddo! I ain’t no spring chicken and I’d sink like a stone if I fell in.’
    â€˜Just catch the pole,’ said the calm voice. ‘I’ll do the rest.’
    Peg gave him a grimace then grabbed the pole. The boat banged against the side of the wall. Before Peg could cry out, the young man had swung her down in the boat.
    Eve could hardly see through the fine, watery mist that seemed to be rising up from the flood. ‘Hold on, miss.’ The boat rocked as he positioned the pole for Eve to hold. Her clothes felt heavy and seemed to weigh her down as she stepped forward. If she fell, swimming would be out of the question. How fast would she sink?
    â€˜You’re safe now.’ In the blink of an eye she was caught by the waist and transferred to the boat.
    â€˜You all right, gel?’ croaked Peg as they sat, shivering together, and the policeman pushed off from the wall.
    Eve nodded. She was aware of the brilliant blue gaze of their rescuer as he gave them a smile, something that was rarely seen on the face of the enemy.
    Despite Peg’s glare, Eve was almost tempted to return it.
    That night the boys lay fast asleep on the rush