The Viking Hoard: A Traditional Mystery Series by Bea Green

Author:Bea Green [Green, Bea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781685491826
Publisher: Rough Edges Press
Published: 2022-11-21T16:00:00+00:00

12

Richard

“I’m not sure this was such a good idea,” said Richard, watching as Findley made his preparations prior to them leaving.

He was wearing a red life jacket and clinging to the edge of the boat, even though they hadn’t set off yet.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Richard,” said Mike impatiently.

“Everything OK?” asked Findley, walking over to them with a concerned look on his face.

Findley was a large man with a mop of dark, curly hair, who was surprisingly nimble walking around the tight confines of the inflatable boat.

“Everything’s fine, Findley,” replied Mike, with what Richard felt was a callous disregard for his friend’s wellbeing. “Richard’s just going to take some time to find his sea legs.”

Findley’s brown eyes swivelled round to Richard.

“This boat’s safe as houses, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ve been taking it out every summer for the last eight years. It’s not as sturdy and solid as my fishing boat, of course, but it’s strong. I’ve never come to grief in it.”

“That’s good to know,” admitted Richard.

“We can head back at any point. As I said, there’s only three places Simon would go hunting for scallops. It shouldn’t take us too long.”

“Excellent,” said Mike.

Excellent, thought Richard, biting his lips. He could think of many words for the trip, but excellent wasn’t one of them.

Gazing at the white crests out at sea, he had a nasty feeling their boat trip wasn’t going to be comparable to one on the Thames river boat.

Findley undid the landing rope and cranked the motor.

They started chugging out of the harbour.

Richard looked ahead stoutly and silently resolved to try and enjoy the trip.

Mike, meantime, was seated next to Findley as he steered the boat, deep in conversation. He appeared to be in his element.

Mike was a dark horse, decided Richard, wondering how well he really knew the guy. Who’d have guessed Mike would have felt so at home on a boat of all things?

The boat turned out of the harbour and into the open sea with a lurch.

Some of Richard’s breakfast made its way up his esophagus and left him with the taste of bile in his mouth.

Wishing with all his heart he hadn’t eaten, he leaned his head over the boat’s side.

Fifteen minutes later, he’d discharged the majority of his breakfast into the sea but felt a little better.

Mike came and sat next to him.

“Mate, the best thing you can do is sit in the middle of the boat. A little less movement there. And keep your eyes fixed to the horizon.”

Richard was so washed out by then, he obeyed Mike’s instructions without protest.

He sat on the bench, hoping his stomach would grow accustomed to the movement of the sea or it was going to seem like a very long day.

The things he did for the sake of antiquities, he thought to himself. Literally, beyond belief.

“Simon did the right thing diving for scallops. Hand diving for scallops is the way to go these days,” said Findley, voice raised above the roar of the engine.

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