Chameleon by Richard Hains

Author:Richard Hains
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beaufort Books
Published: 2006-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Sag Harbor, New York

Just before six o’clock, Jon walked over to the marina and threaded his way along a series of walkways to the Southern Star. He called out to the several crew members who were still engaged in various tasks on the boat. “Excuse me. I’m looking for the captain.”

Before anyone could answer, a weathered and bearded man in his fifties stuck his head up from the hatch to the galley. “You must be Rick.”

“That’s right,” said Jon.

“Davies is the name. Please come aboard.”

Jon removed his shoes and stepped up a stripped gangplank. “Hello. Thanks for seeing me.”

They shook hands and sat down. Jon continued. “I’m looking for work over the summer and wondered if there are any positions available on your boat. I have pretty good experience in working on boats, both sailing and motorboats,” he said confidently.

His claim wasn’t all that untrue. At boarding school in Melbourne, a three-hour drive southwest of the family’s farm, and later on, at the University of Melbourne, most of his friends were city boys whose parents had houses at the beach. During school holidays, Jon had spent many weeks with these friends, sailing on Port Phillip Bay and becoming proficient enough to be a member in good standing of the Melbourne Grammar School sailing club.

Captain Davies was sizing him up. “As you’re probably aware, there’s always work to be had at this time of year, but its hard work and long hours, and not everyone is suited to it. A boat with some age on her, like this one, requires a lot more attention than the new boats, all aluminum, fiberglass, and electronics.” The tone of his voice betrayed his contempt for these travesties. “It’s a different type of sailing, this — teak, canvas, and hard grind. You don’t look like you’ve spent much time outdoors recently. What do you do for the rest of the year?”

“I’m an accountant by training,” Jon said smoothly. “But after a while, I tend to get a little restless and take some time off. I was working in the French Alps over the past winter, skiing and working. I’ll head back to the real world in the autumn. I’m pretty experienced, very hardworking, and keen for the job.”

The captain seemed to like this response. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll offer you a couple of days work to check you out. For the time being, you’ll have to organize your own accommodation. If things work out, we’ll look at something permanent. I’ll pay you the going rate. If that sounds good to you, when can you start?”

“I can start right away, I haven’t anything else to do. Is six tomorrow morning okay?” Jon asked eagerly.

Davies nodded. The two men shook hands.

Jon was lucky in his timing; almost to the week, this was the easiest time of the year to be hired on as crew. He found a local bar, ate an early supper, and settled in, not wanting to go back to the room he’d rented until the family there had finished their dinner.

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