COLONEL NOAH

OTHER CHAPTERS

CHAPTER 7

The Colonel's invitation to the Teesdales, addressed in his own neat script, created quite a stir. They had more or less settled into an orderly routine since Daphne's retirement, neatly parcelling out their days. It was driving Daphne into an early grave. She was ready to break out, to run screaming round the garden, to chop all the heads off the geraniums or set the shed on fire. Only her strict self-discipline kept her together.

There must be something else she could do to fill in her time, some purpose. The charity shops were always asking for volunteers but she knew that every retired teacher within a five mile radius was already standing behind a counter, or giving out leaflets or pushing a library trolley round the hospital. She knew her limitations, knew that she wouldn't be content as a little helper she would organise everyone and end up falling out with charity.

She had thought of writing a book about her school experiences. Her hard-earned knowledge of running a large comprehensive school would be invaluable to a fresh head. But there was Monica, dear maddening Monica, who wouldn't leave her alone long enough to set down a title. She was always there - twittering. Answering trivial questions endlessly was not conducive to a stress-free retirement.

Daphne opened the envelope. She read it quickly and then once more before saying anything.

'The Colonel has invited us to a meeting at his house on Saturday. He has something of great importance to impart. Light refreshments will be served.'

'I expect it has to do with his boat,' said Monica, 'it looks nearly finished.'

'What makes you think that, dear?'

'He has never asked us in before and he's never built a boat before. I expect he wants you to hit it with a bottle Daphne and make a speech, you're good at making speeches.'

'No, no, Monica, that's launching a ship from the docks. The Colonel can't be sailing away now can he? There is no water. I think he has gone too far with that boat. He will have to ask farmer Denver if he can take it through his fields to the river. He has simply not thought it through. I always imagined him to have more common sense. Being keen on boats is one thing but that monstrosity is ridiculous. He must be suffering from senile dementia. What a waste of time and money.'

'What's dementia Daphne?'

'It's when your brain gets too old and you start doing funny things. I shall go and make the tea.'

'Will we go to the Colonel's to tea on Saturday, Daphne?'

'We certainly will, Monica. I wouldn't miss light refreshments with the Colonel. We must hear what he has to say that is so important.'

Tom Dailey took his invitation home. He didn't know what to do about it. He thoroughly enjoyed the work being practically his own boss, he got on well with the Colonel but this latest thing of being asked to take part on the voyage was a real worry.

The Colonel was a clever man there was no doubt about it, he must know what he was talking about. It just seemed a bit far-fetched, floating away like Noah without the animals. He wondered what his wife would say when he asked her if she fancied a trip.

'What a load of rubbish,' is what she said, 'second flood - my foot. If it was going to happen we would have heard about it on the television. The Queen and Prime Minister would know about it wouldn't they?'

'Perhaps they do know,' said Tom mildly.' It wouldn't be the first time we've been kept in the dark. They might be all ready for it and we won't be told until the last minute.'

'That's right, mum,' said Sharon. 'They do keep things from us. You remember that film about U.F.O.s? The government knew of it and didn't tell anyone because they knew it would cause a world stampede.'

'Don't be daft it's not the same thing at all. That was only a film.'

Sharon would have packed and gone straight away. Living with wonderful Darren on a small boat for the rest of eternity was her idea of heaven. Darren and Sharon and no competition - groovy.

'Well,' said Tom, 'I've told him we'll be at the meeting, it can't do any harm. I'd like to hear what his son has to say. He's been touring round the world on his ship, if anyone knows the score then he will. The Miss Teesdales and the Sharps will be there, it might give us a clearer picture.'

'The Teesdales? Will they go? I would have thought Daphne Teesdale would have more sense.'

'Perhaps she's heard something about it, mum. You always said that she was a very clever lady.'

'I just meant with school work as you well know, our Sharon, but as the Colonel has been so good to your dad giving him all that work, we must go. It might be good to see the boat and hear what they have to say. It will be nice to meet Miss Teesdale socially. You needn't come Sharon, we'll tell you what happens.'

'Oh, mum, I'd love to come. I'm really interested in all that global warming and it's good for my school work.'

'You mean you think Darren Sharp will be there,' said Tom with a laugh, 'one thing we agree about - he's a grand lad, sensible and hard-working. We'll all go, it will be a night out. It's ages since we all went out together.'

'Great,' said Sharon and dashed upstairs to see what she might wear on Saturday.

The Sharp household was hanging together by a thread of convention. Since that terrible night when Laura had discovered Nick in the hotel bar things had not been good. She didn't know what she wanted and Nick didn't know what was wrong. Laura wondered if she should tell him, have a shouting match, clear the air - but she was guilty too. She still loved Nick. There must be some way through this.

Poor Darren felt edgy and awkward in their presence. He just loved to get out to his boat building and leave them behind. Now he must show them the Colonel's invitation. He wanted them to go to the meeting. The Colonel wouldn't allow him to sail on the boat without their consent.

He was so worried that he had made the mistake of mentioning it to Bunny Baldwin. How he wished he'd kept his mouth shut. Bunny was behaving more like a terrier than a rabbit with his persistent questions. But that was not the main worry. Bunny's dad was a reporter on the Daily Echo and if he turned up at the meeting everyone would know who the grass was. The Colonel would certainly not approve.

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