COLONEL NOAH

OTHER CHAPTERS

CHAPTER 12

Daphne Teesdale had bought herself a computer. She was delighted with it. She was already au fait with the technology as they had been in school for quite some time before she left but she felt it was expedient to go for more lessons down at the local library.

Monica was delighted with it too as it meant that her sister was busy most of the day and much better tempered.

The smallest bedroom had been converted into an office. The correspondence from next door had grown at an alarming rate for five consecutive days and had seemed overwhelming but now it was becoming manageable.

Daphne had a system. The letters were put into various categories: those with cheques were scanned and filed, the letters with a religious flavour put in a pile to be answered if the Colonel thought it necessary, the letters from would-be scientists pointing out the errors of judgement were filed under 'Cranks' and those that were simply abusive kept for police perusal.

After long discussions with the Colonel it was decided that they needed a bank account. It was amazing how the fund was growing. They thought it best to call the account 'Noah's Ark Fund' and have joint signatures. No one spoke of 'trust' it was simply an unspoken understanding.

The press coverage had dwindled to practically nothing as it was obvious that the Colonel was of the old school and not to be bullied or coerced in any way.

'Does all this helpful activity mean that you are willing to come with me on the great adventure?' asked the Colonel one evening after an extremely busy time opening and filing letters.

Daphne laughed, 'Can you imagine me on a boat with half of your family? I don't think so! I can't leave Monica by herself and she would drive everyone crackers in five minutes if they were in close contact for too long. Half of me agrees with what you are doing and the other half tells me that it won't happen. There, is that honest enough for you?'

'Yes, thank you, but you haven't explained why you are working so hard, in fact going to town, buying a computer etc.'

'Call it my contribution to a good cause, you couldn't have managed without one, could you? I'm helping out because I'm finding it all very interesting. The letters are so diverse. They intrigue me. All those different people from different places and different walks of life with such opposing views of the world. Aren't you just a little bit surprised by it yourself?'

'Surprised, my dear Miss Teesdale, I'm absolutely overwhelmed. I cannot imagine what I would have done without your help. I feel I would have drowned in a sea of paperwork.'

'Have you heard from David yet about his thoughts on the matter?'

'Yes, he has rung several times mainly to see if I'm alright. However he doesn't seem completely committed to my project. I admit that I'm rather disappointed about it. I simply assumed that he would join me. How do you think I should proceed from here? You have more recent experience of dealing with young people than I. Any help would be much appreciated.'

Daphne was quite touched by the Colonel confiding in her, she knew that it must have taken something serious to make him do so.

'Don't you usually go down to David's for a few days at Christmas? Wouldn't that be a good time to thrash this out?'

'I have been going down to David's since Elspeth died, but I won't be able to go this year as I cannot leave the boat. I have to be here on hand to make sure it's safe.'

'Why not ask them to come up here? Mrs Blount would help you out with the catering and Dorothy is a very capable person. It would be a wonderful opportunity to get everyone together again. I'm quite willing to have the next meeting here. The twins would love a festive season on board.'

'What a wonderful idea. I'll ring and suggest it tonight. The Genesis will be practically finished, thanks to Tom Dailey's generosity. We could have a conducted tour and make some final decisions.'

'Is that what you have decided to call it? Genesis? Not Noah's Ark?'

'Yes, what do you think of it?'

'Absolutely splendid, couldn't have thought of a better name myself,' said Daphne.

Monica had been standing on the landing near the open office door while all this conversation was going on. She was totally upset on hearing Daphne's comments. Of course she was going to go. Nothing would stop her, not even Daphne. She realised she must keep quiet about this but she had time to make plans before Christmas. It must be nearly time, as they had already sent cards to friends abroad. The thought of being on a boat and sailing away was thrilling, no way was she going to miss out on that.

The Colonel sat in his armchair in front of his television with the sound turned off. He usually watched the news at this time in the evening but he had enough to think about on his own account without taking on the woes of the world.

He decided to take notes, make an inventory of people willing and unwilling and of pros and cons. It was becoming obvious to him that he and Darren were the only two people with a one hundred percent certainty of the feasibility and downright rightness of what the boat was all about.

Tom Dailey had put his cards on the table. He had put money into the venture because he wanted to see it finished and because he felt obliged to do so, not from any conviction that there was to be a flood. Miss Teesdale was equally honest; and to be truthful Oliver's remark about Monica did sum up the main problem.

The Colonel knew, deep down, that David didn't believe in what his father was doing, even though he hadn't said so in so many words.

So, what was to be done now? He sighed and put down his pen. He needed to get out and speak to Elspeth.

Jasper stood up from his place on the hearthrug. He felt walkies were imminent.

It was a cold bright evening, the stars splashed brightly against the black sky. An evening to keep moving, not for sitting about in graveyards but it had to be done. Jasper was delighted, there was no one about so the Colonel allowed him off the lead when they reached the church.

All his forebodings and worries came tumbling out as he explained the situation. Elspeth was silent too. Perhaps he should have talked things over with David before the event instead of waiting until it was an established fact. This was no help at all and he was beginning to feel decidedly chilly.

'Come Jasper, time to go.'

Jasper appeared all a-wag and eager to move off. He'd had a wonderful time.

He rang David as soon as he'd taken off his coat.

'Hello David, I have a proposition to put to you.'

'Hello, Dad, are you O.K? First things first - we're all fine here.'

'Sorry, wasn't thinking. Yes, I'm fine too. I'm just a bit frustrated that things are not working out as I imagined they would, but I've had an idea that I'd like to put to you. Would you like to bring the family up here for Christmas this year? It would give us a chance to talk things through and I don't want to leave the boat unattended even for a short time.'

'That's a great idea, I'm sure the twins would love it and Dorothy is always ready to come up and see you.'

The Colonel went to bed infinitely relieved at having the matter resolved to his satisfaction. Now he could start working out his contingency plan which had been fermenting in his mind since Miss Teesdale had told him how much was in the 'Noah's Ark Fund' bank account.

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