Patterson's Island Page 4

`Can you come back after lunch?' she asked him quickly.

  Another shout from his father decided him. 'Be back as soon as I can,' he whispered before darting off.

  CHAPTER THREE

  BETH waited until Jimmy and his father had left the harbour before going in search of someone who could rescue the camera for her, and idly noticed that an early lunch appeared the order of the day, as the harbour was now practically deserted.

  She stared down at the camera again trying to gauge how far out it was from the beach, and decided it wasn't too far out. What she needed, she thought, was someone with a boat, and gave a little nod of satisfaction when her gaze fell on a small clutch of boats further up the beach. Hoping to find someone willing to help in the rescue operation, she made her way down the harbour's ancient stone steps to the beach. But to her disappointment, when she reached the boats, she found the area completely deserted. The boats were obviously fishing boats, and their owners would not apparently make themselves visible until the next fishing excursion out to sea.

  For a moment or so Beth was tempted to give it up, for she couldn't see how else the camera could be retrieved, but the thought of the small boy's distress nagged her conscience, and she knew she couldn't leave him in the lurch. For one thing, it was quite probable that Jimmy's family was only spending the day there, and in that case, it wouldn't be too long before his father discovered the loss of the camera;

  and for a second, he wouldn't have lost the camera if she hadn't offered to give him a lift up.

  Now that her mind was made up, it didn't take her long to decide on her next move, and she slipped her sandals off before wading out into the water, thinking how fortunate it was that she wore jeans and cotton shirt, neither of which would take long to dry in that heat. She had no fear of getting out of her depth, as she was a strong swimmer, and as soon as she reached the deeper water, she struck out with a strong crawl stroke towards the harbour.

  It took her a little while to get to the exact position she wanted, and as soon as she felt she was within range of the spot the camera had gone in, she dived. In all, it took three dives to locate the camera, as it had sunk a little further into the shifting sand, and with a feeling of having unearthed treasure, she rose triumphantly to the surface clutching the camera by its strap.

  On breaking to the surface, she was somewhat disconcerted to find herself gazing into a pair of not very cordial blue eyes.

  `What the devil do you think you're doing?' demanded the man glaring at her.

  Beth took a moment or two to recover from the shock of the encounter, then she grinned at the man and clung to the side of his motorboat. 'Sorry if I. startled you,' she apologised, 'You see, the camera fell in ...' she began to explain, but found he wasn't interested in her explanation, for he cut it short with an abrupt, 'Get in!'

  It wasn't a request but an order, and Beth was

  immediately on the defensive. She hadn't liked being spoken to like that at all ! She looked back towards the beach. 'Thank you,' she replied stiffly, 'It's not very far to the beach, and I'm a good ...'

  Again she was interrupted in the middle of a sentence, and to her utter fury found herself unceremoniously hauled into the boat and plonked into the middle of it—just as if she had been a fish ! she thought furiously, and glared at the man now starting the engine of the boat. For two pins she would ... The man looked up just then and caught her glowering at him, and there was something in his eyes that quelled any further thought of resistance on her part, and Beth found herself both angry and puzzled by him.

  As he took the wheel of the boat, she studied him coolly, wondering what it was about him that she so resented—apart from the way he had treated her—although, she conceded, trying to be absolutely fair about it, she must have given him quite a shock at her sudden appearance like that, for he could have run her down—even so, she mused, most men would have said something on those lines, and offered—yes, offered, to run her back to the beach.

  Perhaps it was the way he had utterly ignored her apologies that had so riled her? Her back unconsciously stiffened as she acknowledged the cause of her resentment. The man reminded her of Nicholas—which was odd, for he was nothing like Nicholas to look at; he was fair, for one thing, whereas Nicholas was dark. Her brows contracted slightly as she tried to pinpoint the likeness. Both men, in their individual ways, were handsome, although this man was deeply

  tanned, as if he had lived in the climate for many years. Her gaze lingered on the haughty stare that had made her feel like something that had been dredged up from the bottom of the sea, and that he didn't like the look of—so that was it! Nicholas had the same look when something or someone displeased him!

  She took in the navy blue blazer he wore, and the white sweater with navy blue slacks. Authority was written all over him she thought, and catching the strength in his impassive features as he looked ahead while guiding the boat towards the harbour, she had an absurd urge to get as far away from him as possible, which under the circumstances, was ridiculous, and she roundly scolded herself for such innate cowardice. The wretched man was only giving her a ride back to the harbour, after all.

  `Which hotel are you staying at?' he asked abruptly.

  It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him what business it was of his, when a tiny voice inside her whispered caution. He must have some authority, Beth decided, harbour police in all probability, and Janice wouldn't thank her for getting embroiled with the force on her first day. She swallowed her resentment and tried to remember the name of an impressive hotel she had passed on her shopping expedition. Was it the Carlton?—or the Savoy? All she could remember was that it bore the name of one of London's large hotels. 'The Savoy,' she replied promptly.

  His grim expression told her that she had made a bad guess. 'Try again,' he said curtly.

  Sparks flew from Beth's eyes as she made an effort

  to stem the tide of a few well-chosen words to put this tinpot god in his place. She could, of course, explain that she was Janice's sister and watch him start squirming and worrying about his job, but she decided against this, for the time being anyway. If they did meet again, she would enjoy every minute of his embarrassment.

  `I've forgotten,' she answered in an offhand way.

  It was clear he was not used to this kind of response, for his lips tightened as he replied caustically, `You seem to be somewhat lacking in manners, young lady. If I'd the time, I'd give you what it appears your father omitted to give you a few years ago.'

  Beth's eyes opened wide in astonishment. For goodness' sake, how old did he think she was? However, there was no time to take him up on this somewhat misguided comment, for they were now drawing alongside the harbour, and Beth saw no point in prolonging the interlude. As soon as he cut the motor she was off the boat and heading for the harbour steps. Her bag and shoes she would collect later, when she had got a certain infuriating individual's presence out of her vicinity.

  She was so intent in putting as much distance between her and the man in the boat, she did not see the two people coming down the steps to meet her, and before she knew it she had cannoned into them. Looking up to offer her apologies, she found herself accepting the hand of the man who had earlier called to Jimmy, and who was obviously his father; Jimmy was with him.

  `That sure was a fine thing you did for Jimmy,'

  beamed the man, vigorously pumping Beth's hand.

  `We watched you from the top,' broke in Jimmy. 'I bet Dad you'd get it the third time, and you did ! '

  `Have you,' queried a cold voice at Beth's elbow, `any idea of the risk she took? The harbour is a dangerous place for swimming at any time. With the tide coming in, it's suicidal.'

  Beth took a deep breath, she might have known she wouldn't get away quite so easily, and was about to expound on the fact that as she had come to no harm, wasn't it time the subject was closed, when Jimmy's father, recovering from the sudden onslaught, started to explain. His attempt received the same treatment as
Beth's had—in other words, he was cut off in mid stream, and Beth felt her hackles rising at the way the man swept aside all explanation, showing no interest whatsoever in another's point of view, except his own! Her furious musings were cut short when the man demanded to know which hotel they were staying at, and her brows lifted as he added, `Your daughter appears to have conveniently forgotten it.'

  The look these words produced on Jimmy's father was almost too much for her, and she choked back the laughter that threatened to make things worse; looking at Jimmy didn't help much either, for he had his mouth open in dumb amazement. Beth closed her eyes. Things were going from the ridiculous to the sublime !

  Jimmy's father made a belated recovery. Now look here ' he began.

  `Just the name of the hotel, if you please,' persisted the man icily.

  Beth did a rapid calculation. He must be the harbourmaster—at least !

  `The Astoria, but I don't see ...' argued the harassed father.

  `Thank you!' replied the man with an air of successfully completing his interrogation. 'It appears they are neglecting to inform their guests of the island's rules. I shall make it my business to see that incidents of this nature are not repeated. Good afternoon! '

  In stupefied silence Beth and her companions watched the tall arrogant figure as he strode on his way up the steps, and out of sight.

  `Phew, we seem to have upset the Admiral ! ' gasped Jimmy's father.

  Beth gave way to her feelings. All anger now gone, she started to chuckle, her mirth set Jimmy laughing too, and his father's rueful expression soon gave way to one of amusement. 'Seems I've acquired a daughter,' he commented dryly. 'I guess I'd better introduce myself. The name's Jackson, Lee. We hail from Iowa.'

  Still chuckling, Beth held out her hand to him. `I'm Beth Knight. Nice to meet you, Mr Jackson. I'm sorry I brought the wrath of the gods down on you,' she added, as she handed him the camera. 'I hope you're able to save some of the films.'

  Taking the camera from her, Mr Jackson commented dryly, 'If I'd known the risks you were taking ' He shook his head slowly. 'And to think I stood by and watched ! '

  `Nonsense ! ' interrupted Beth. 'I'm a very strong swimmer, Mr Jackson, I wouldn't have made the attempt otherwise. I think our pompous friend overdid the danger theme.'

  Mr Jackson was not convinced of the truth of this. `He looks the sort of man who knows what he's talking about,' he replied slowly.

  Beth grimaced, and found herself hoping Mr Jackson was wrong in his assessment, for if he were right, the man had probably saved her life, and she didn't care for this thought at all. 'If he hadn't been so overbearing, I might have thanked him,' she muttered darkly. 'But I'm not sure I share your opinion,' she added.

  Her comments on the man's attitude met a kindling spark in Mr Jackson, and he grinned at her, taking in her slim boyish figure, and the way her damp hair clung to her head. She didn't look much more than sixteen, at that, he thought. 'Shouldn't you get those wet things off?' he demanded. 'Our hotel's just across the way. Would you like to come back with us and get dried out?' he offered kindly, adding for good measure, 'I do believe Mrs Jackson ought to meet her daughter, don't you?' he teased.

  Beth wasn't too 'sure how much time she had left before her rendezvous with Johnny, and at that moment she saw him coming towards them, and knew she would have to decline the invitation, explaining that she was staying with her sister, and that her transport had arrived to take her back.

  Mr Jackson was clearly disappointed, but suggested that as they were spending the week there, perhaps they would meet up with her again, and thanking

  her again for rescuing the camera for them, they left her with Johnny

  `Bin swimming, Miss Beth?' asked Johnny with a wide grin, when they were alone.

  Beth bit back a smile. Now don't you start!' she retorted smartly. 'I know it's the fashion to wear a costume, but it's a long story. I'll tell you about it on the way back, but first I have to collect my bag and sandals. I won't be a minute,' she called as she ran back down the harbour steps.

  On the way back to the house, she related some of the morning's events to Johnny, not giving any specific details of the man who had so enraged her, for she had decided not to mention it to Janice, working on the principle of what she didn't know wouldn't harm her—or what was more to the point, worry her, for Janice was apt to worry over any hint of dissension.

  One point did emerge from her conversation with Johnny, and it didn't help to soothe Beth's slightly ruffled aplomb, for it appeared that the insufferable man had been perfectly right about the dangers of the harbour, and Johnny related several incidents in the past, that had brought in the strict measures now enforced on swimming there.

  A rather crestfallen Beth consoled herself with the thought that if they did meet again she would make an attempt to apologise—if he recognised her, that was, and she devoutly hoped to avoid both eventualities!

  CHAPTER FOUR

  IT was a scramble, but Beth just managed to get changed in time for lunch with Janice, and the only sign of her morning dip was in her still slightly damp hair. Janice, however, made no comment on this, and chatted happily on her morning's work.

  `Do you usually have to organise these do's?' Beth asked interestedly. 'Isn't it a bit much on top of your usual work?'

  Janice laughed. 'It's part and parcel of the job, dear, and I love it. Mind you,' she added, as she handed Beth some salad dressing, 'it did give me qualms at first, particularly as I was expected to act as hostess as well at the dinner parties Gavin gave. He's a bachelor, you see, and it saves him the embarrassment of having to delegate the task elsewhere. His mother used to officiate for him before.'

  Beth hadn't thought much about Mr Patterson until now, apart, that was, from feeling grateful for his kindness to Janice, and now, thinking about him, she felt a stab of pity for him. It was sad that he had to pay someone to act as hostess for him in his own home. It didn't sound as if he had many friends, and she saw him as an elderly, shy man, and found herself looking forward to meeting him.

  When Janice enquired how her morning had gone, Beth told her about the camera, and how she had

  fished it out—not mentioning the exact location, or the resulting consequences; time enough for that if there was any comeback, but she couldn't see how there could be. Even if she did meet that insufferable man again, she couldn't see him admitting that he had mistaken her for a teenager—he was far more likely to want to forget the whole incident!

  The story amused Janice, who suggested Beth wore her swimming costume under her clothes the next time she went for a walk on the island.

  The lunch hour passed swiftly, and Janice was on her way back to work, when she paused in the doorway. 'I nearly forgot ! ' she exclaimed, and walked back to Beth. 'Mrs Harris rang this morning. I don't know whether I mentioned it in my letters, but I stayed with them when I first came here, before Gavin had me settled in here, and they're longing to meet you.' She glanced doubtfully at Beth. 'I hope you don't mind, love, but I felt I couldn't refuse when she offered to take you out to dinner tonight. I had planned to take you with us, we're going to look at a house that's just come on the market. In fact it was Mrs Harris who told us about it, and knew that we'd arranged to see it tonight, so I suppose she thought you'd be at a loose end—but you're still welcome to come with us, dear, if you'd rather,' she added quickly.

  Beth thought about this for a moment or two. To be honest, she would welcome an evening completely on her own, for being alone was still a novelty to her, but she sighed inwardly as she thought that neither Janice nor Mrs Harris would understand her feelings

  in this, and she had no wish to hurt anyone's feelings. She smiled at her sister. 'Thank you for the invitation, dear, but I'll accept your Mrs Harris's offer. Trailing behind two moonstruck lovers is definitely not on my agenda. I'm recuperating, remember? The very mention of wedding bells is likely to bring on a relapse ! '

  Janice chuckled at this, remarking gai
ly as she left, 'You won't feel like that when you meet the right man, just you wait and see ! '

  Beth's soft mouth twisted at this; she wasn't going to 'wait and see'. Once was enough for her.

  She spent a lazy afternoon lapping up the warm rays of the sun on the patio, adjoining the dining room. Although she had her sketchbook beside her, she made no attempt, to try to capture the idyllic scene in front of her, for the scent of the flowers, and the lazy humming of numerous insects as they buzzed around the flora display, lulled her into tranquillity —a state Beth had almost forgotten existed. It was like being reborn again, she thought sleepily, and she wasn't going to waste a minute of her new-found freedom.

  It seemed no time at all before Janice was back again, and the girls had a light tea to keep them going until their respective dinner dates. John, Janice said, would arrange for them to eat later, after they had seen the house, and Beth, watching the way Janice's eyes lit up when she mentioned the house they were going to see, hoped it came up to expectation, but even if it didn't, she told herself, Janice was too much in love to let anything cloud her happiness. As long

  as she was with her beloved John, a mud but would serve just as well.

  `What are you smiling at?' asked Janice, breaking into her thoughts.

  Beth grinned at her. 'I was just thinking you'd be happy in a mud hut,' she commented teasingly. 'As long as your John was there, of course ! '

  Janice laughed at this, then her expression sobered for a moment. 'Now perhaps you know what I meant when I said Nicholas wasn't the right man for you,' she scolded her affectionately. 'Can you see Nicholas in a mud hut?'

  Beth's grin widened. 'Not exactly,' she admitted. `Not unless someone was selling antiques there, and then he'd demand the place was fumigated before he entered ! '

  `I couldn't have put it better myself,' agreed Janice enthusiastically. 'He would, wouldn't he?'