Objects of Desire (34 page)

‘Land! Land! I see land!’ she shouted, ringing the ship’s bell, and screaming and laughing. Everyone having breakfast below rushed on deck. They had done it, it was over, they were right on target, the island was Barbados. The three women broke down and cried, uncontrollable tears of joy and pride. They had between them brought
Black Orchid
across the North Atlantic Ocean. Someone ran down for champagne. Everyone seemed to be shaking everyone else’s hand, everyone kissing everyone. They took great draughts from the bottles of vintage wine, some of the crew whooping and hollering.

Two hours later they were all still on deck and sailing parallel and close in to the white sand and coconut palm-fringed beaches of Barbados. They had dropped sail and were scanning the deserted shore for any sign of Hadon when quite suddenly he appeared out of the tropical bush and on to the sand at a run, arms waving, and shouting. Behind him were Mishka and Alexis. Anoushka could hardly believe it. All aboard were thrilled. The boys were
jumping and running and calling out, ‘Mom, Mom, you made it!’

Anoushka peeled off the shirt and sarong she was wearing. She stood barefoot in her swimsuit with her friends and shipmates all round her. They kissed and said farewells.

‘I don’t know if this is the best or the worst part of the voyage, I’ve never jumped ship before. Rab Nesnet, you’re once again the captain of this vessel. I resign. Reluctantly, I might add.’

Everyone laughed, but there was just a hint of a tear in every eye. Page passed the log book over to Rab.

‘You’ll be all right, Anoushka, there was really no other way. My first loyalty has to be to Piers. His orders were to bring
Black Orchid
to anchor in Mustique after the crossing. We can’t stop like some packet ship to drop you off. Be brave a little bit longer. If you mastered the Atlantic ocean, you can swim a few hundred yards in the warm Caribbean Sea.’

They were already at the rail of the boat. He shouted to Hadon, ‘You want her, come and get her. She’s all yours.’

They watched Hadon and the boys charge into the water and start to swim. Rab hoisted Anoushka on to the ships’ rail, ‘Balance yourself well before you dive,’ he ordered.

She was steady as a rock when only seconds later she turned to throw kisses to Sally and Page then took her dive.

She cleared the boat and vanished under the water for what seemed like an age. She surfaced halfway between the boat and Hadon and her sons. A shout of relief rose from all aboard. Anoushka turned to wave one last time and then swam hard and fast towards her future.