FOR THE LOVE OF THE SEA Read Online Free PDF Page B

at locations and the outsides of places?”
    Cassie shook her head. “Sorry. Polly and I are visiting Tom later on, then we‘ve got to have this family get meeting.”
    “Oh well. Give Tom my love and tell him I’ll be in to see him during the week.”
    Tom was awake when Cassie and Polly walked into his small side ward later that morning and pleased to see them. Looking tired and drawn he was still clearly in some pain from his injuries and the ward sister suggested that perhaps they could keep their visit short, particularly as Mai would be in soon.
    Cassie and Polly didn’t talk much on the drive home. Cassie didn’t want to be drawn into an argument, while Polly was preoccupied with Tom’s reaction to the quick talk she’d had with him.
    When Cassie had gone to have a word with the ward sister, Polly had taken the opportunity to ask Tom about the race.
    Knowing that he wasn’t really well enough to bother, she’d deliberately tried to keep her voice light.
    “How would you feel about me skippering Clotted Cream in your place?”
    “Shattered,” was his uncompromising reply. “But I suppose I’ll have to think about it.”
    Mai had arrived then and Polly had had to be content with the thought that at least Tom hadn’t instantly vetoed the idea.
    Sitting beside her mother on the journey home, she tried to work out what would happen at the family conference that afternoon. She had a feeling that a lot would depend on Dexter.
    Just then her mobile phone rang.
    It was Sebastian. Apparently he’d just heard about Tom’s accident.
    “Why didn’t you let me know?” he complained to Polly. “He is almost my brother-in-law.”
    “I was going to e-mail you this evening with all the news,” Polly said.
    “It sounds as if it’ll be a while before he’s up and about again. Shame about the race. Give him my regards when you see him.”
    “Of course. How are things with you?”
    “OK. Should be in Gib tomorrow. After that who knows? Very hush hush this exercise. I’d better go. I’m on duty in fifteen minutes. Love you. E-mail me. Bye.”
    Cassie looked at Polly. ‘Sebastian’ was all she’d mouthed by way of explanation at the beginning of the call.
    “You haven’t discussed your plan about the race with Sebastian then?”
    “Not yet. I’d rather wait until it’s a fait accompli. He’ll only try and talk me out of it.”
    “I’m not the only one then,” Cassie said grimly.
    Rufus, her brother, phoned shortly after she got home to say he and Bridget couldn’t make the family get together. They’d a meeting with a client who was talking about a permanent berth in the marina for his large motor-yacht.
    “He’s just the sort of customer we need to attract. Money no object,” Rufus said. “So I don’t want to cancel. As far as Polly and Clotted Cream’s concerned I’m happy to let you and Dad decide.”
    It was nearly four o’clock before everyone else met up in Cassie’s kitchen for the family conference.
    Dexter was the first to arrive.
    “These are the figures I’ve worked out. Everything’s quite easy to follow. I’m sure you’ll reach the same conclusions as me when you go through them. Now, what time would you like me back?”
    Cassie looked at him in surprise. “But you’re staying for the meeting aren’t you?”
    Dexter shook his head. “It’s a family thing. I’d be intruding.”
    “Nonsense. We need your expert input. Besides, I was hoping you’d be the calm, impartial voice of reason this afternoon,” Cassie said. “Stop any family quarrels.” She smiled at him.
    Dexter was silent for a few moments.
    “OK. But I warn you, you mightn’t like everything I have to say.”
    The figures, as Dexter went on to explain to everybody, indicated that, with Tom at the helm of Clotted Cream , there is enough money and sponsorship for a successful entry.
    “Whether all the sponsors would remain committed if Polly was to take her brother’s place is open to question,” he