Prologue
To: Simon.Rose
From: Elle.Jamieson
Subject: (Nearly) All at sea
Hi Simon,
Nearly ready! The tenants have moved into the house, the car’s sold and I’m in a Travelodge near the airport, ready to fly tomorrow. It’s cost a fortune in baggage charges but I’ve got enough for the summer and left the rest of my stuff — especially the business suits — in the attic.
I can’t believe I’m going to live in a marina in Malta. Wooooooo! You’re so lovely to let me stay for free. (ButI’m worried I’ll do something stupid and break your boat.?) I’m so excited! But also mega nervous. This whole adventure is so not me.
Elle xxx
To: Elle.Jamieson
From: Simon.Rose
Subject: Free on board
Of course it’s you because you’re the one doing it. You’ll love it. Malta’s fantastic and the centre where you’re volunteering is lucky to have you and your expertise. Letting you stay on the Shady Lady while you do all the slog is my lazy way of doing a bit for charity. Also, there’s no way I’ll get to the boat until the autumn, so you’re providing me with a boat-sitting service. Don’t let her be boarded by pirates! ?
You’ve familiarised yourself with the Shady Lady on paper and someone will be at the boat who knows how everything works. There’s nothing that’s hard to operate but it’s a bit like a floating caravan and things tend to be tucked away in odd corners.
As Davie and Loz aren’t expecting you to start work until Wednesday, you’ll have a couple of days to provision the boat and get used to things like filling up the water. Chill. All you’re doing is living on board — not sailing her across the ocean single-handed!
Simon xxx
PS Is this a good time to ask if you’ve changed your mind about Lucas?
To: Simon.Rose
From: Elle.Jamieson
Subject: Troubled waters
Pirates??? Should I expect any?
E xxx
PS No, re Lucas. I don’t want to hear about the fabulous life he’s probably living with you in the US . . . so long as he’s OK.
To: Elle.Jamieson
From: Simon.Rose
Subject: Safe harbour
No pirates in the Ta’ Xbiex yacht marina. (Remember it’s pronounced ‘Tashbeesh’ not, as someone once told me, ‘Tax-bee-ex’.)
S xxx
PS He’s OK.
Chapter One
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