The Magic of Ethansay by Sheila Spencer-Smith

Author:Sheila Spencer-Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AudioGO
Published: 2012-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

‘I can’t . . . I really can’t. Please don’t make me,’ Sue’s anguished cry reached out and touched Bronian’s heart but what was she to do?

There were John and Anna to consider as well as Sue. She glanced at them helplessly as they stood on the jetty waiting to be helped down into the dinghy.

The launch with the others aboard had left five minutes before with Alistair at the helm and Mike standing beside him, his binoculars in his hand. She had felt a tug at her heart as she watched them go even though the strain of being in Mike’s company after the revelations yesterday would be eased for a few hours. She hoped that her grandfather would be able to cope. Strangely, he seemed to welcome Mike’s company. What was it about the man that had others charmed so easily? She was well out of it.

Anna was looking at Sue in concern.

‘My dear,’ she said kindly, ‘it’s just a short distance by boat and then we shall have that lovely island all to ourselves.’

But Sue wasn’t to be convinced. She glanced doubtfully from one to the other, her face pale.

‘The tide will be at its lowest later,’ Bronian told her hopefully. ‘The seals will be out on the rocks and we’ll be able to get quite close.’

‘Seals? Who cares about seals? It’s just as good on this island. Why do we have to go to another one?’

‘But Bronian has got all our food packed and it’s such a lovely day,’ Anna said in dismay.

‘I know,’ Sue said miserably. ‘I don’t want to spoil it for you, but . . .’

‘Not to worry,’ John said.

But Bronian couldn’t help worrying. Here they were on this beautiful morning and one of the party didn’t want to leave dry land. It hadn’t occurred to her or Alistair that anyone would dislike the sea mammals they had come to see. There was so little else to do here on Ethansay if you weren’t interested in wildlife. Even Nina’s parents’ wish to do other things today surprised her, and here was Sue refusing to get into the boat at all.

‘I know,’ Bronian said suddenly, looking at the Taylors. ‘Suppose I run you two round to Seal Island and leave you there on your own for the day?’

John’s eyes gleamed.

‘Maroon us you mean?’

‘Why not? I’ll come back to pick you up in good time to get ready for the barbecue. Is that too long?’

‘Not for me,’ Anna said firmly.

‘Then that appears to be the answer,’ John said, making a move towards the dinghy.

Relieved, Bronian climbed in herself and then helped the other two get in. Sue’s figure on the jetty looked forlorn, Bronian thought as they pulled away. But she would soon be back and then she and Sue could have a talk, work out something for Sue’s amusement while the others were away.

It was only when she had landed Anna and John on a sandy beach not far from where the seals

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