The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
It had been so long since she had been held like this and it felt good
Rhona’s heart was in her mouth again, reliving it. The swell, the battle-grey sea, the upturned dinghy rising and falling. They had watched that taut line for what seemed like an age, Rhona praying silently and fervently, “For those in peril on the sea,” she whispered, while her eyes, like the rest of the crew’s, were fixed on the water.
The loud thump of a hand on the inside of the upturned hull was the first indication that Callum had made it.
But did he have Gordy and what about the boys they’d come in search of?
The agreed series of tugs on the line signalled that Callum was ready to come back.
He emerged, one arm supporting her brother. As first Gordy, and then Callum, were hauled swiftly back on board she had crumpled in a heap, her knees too weak to support her.
Gordy was so pale, and so still. Then came a flutter of life behind his lids.
Callum, though sodden and clearly shaken himself, still barked out orders.
He ordered his men to get Gordy warm and to radio the Abertay boat that there was no sign of the fishermen. He was a hero.
Repercussion
“I’m sure you’re all keen to get home for a proper shower,” Callum said now.
“So if you’ll gather round, I’ll make this quick.” Gordy kept to the back of the small circle around their coxswain.
Rhona tried to catch his eye, but her brother’s gaze remained resolutely on his feet.
She hoped Callum wouldn’t be too hard on him, but some repercussion couldn’t be avoided.
“First things first,” Callum said. “The latest medical bulletin is that the boys are expected to make a full recovery.
“I know we didn’t pick them up, he conceded, “but we did find and search the dinghy and its immediate surroundings, which allowed the Abertay boat to search elsewhere.
“Three sets of parents have been spared their worst nightmare, thanks to you all.
“Job well done, everyone, you should be proud of yourselves.”
He was right. Rhona saw the rest of the crew visibly relax, and their expressions lightened. But she wished he could stop there.
“Now to the serious matter of Crewman Munro’s actions,” Callum continued, looking grim.
“No doubt his intentions were good, but his disregard for procedure not only put his fellow crew members at risk, but could have put the lives of those three anglers at risk, too.
“Our mission is to save lives, but not at any cost. “Crewman Munro’s inexperience is a mitigating factor, but it is no excuse.
“I’ll be speaking to Gordy separately, but I want to remind each of you of the importance of working as a team and of following procedures.
“They are there for a reason.”
There was a murmur of assent from all. None of the crew, Rhona noted, looked at Gordy.
The ability to rely on each other was vital. He would have to work hard to regain their trust.
A few minutes later Callum ended the briefing and the cold, hungry crew began to disperse.
Though Rhona longed for a cup of tea and a bath, she took her time pulling on her trainers before stowing away her boots.
Over in the far corner, Callum was speaking quietly to Gordy. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she could guess.
Her brother seemed to be shrinking visibly. When he finally turned away, his face was ashen. “Gordy!” Rhona tried to intercept him as he left the station but he pushed past her and took off at a run.
“Leave him, Rhona. He needs to be on his own right now,” Callum advised.
“What am I to tell Mum?”
Responsibility
“Gordy’s eighteen years old, Rhona, not eight,” Callum said. “Don’t you think you should let him tell her himself?”
“He’s my wee brother and I promised I’d take care of him.”
“Gordy was the one who acted impetuously. He must accept responsibility for that.”
“Mum didn’t ever want him to join the crew. She knew, better than I did, just how impulsive he can be,” Rhona said wretchedly.
“Rhona.” Callum put his hands on her shoulders. “If anyone should reproach themselves, it’s me.
“As coxswain, the buck stops with me.”
“No,” Rhona protested. “You were fantastic! You were so calm. I fell to pieces, and you saved my brother’s life.
“You are a hero, Callum Buxton.” Rhona began to tremble.
“And I’m sorry, truly sorry that I’ve been so beastly to you ever since you arrived in Muir Ferry!” She burst into tears.
His arms enfolded her. As the trauma of the day gave way to relief, Rhona pressed her face into his chest.
It had been so long since she had been held like this, and it felt good.
She clung to him and Callum stroked her back, his voice soothing, repeating that it was not her fault.
Eventually her tears dried, and as they did, she became aware that Callum’s hands stroking her back were no longer just soothing.
The beating heart she could hear in his chest had quickened and her own fluttered in response.
Mortified, Rhona disentangled herself. Bad enough she had wept all over him!
She did not want Callum Buxton to kiss her. She was upset and overwrought, that was all.
“Sorry,” she muttered, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.
“Here.”
Romantic
The cotton square he handed her was neatly folded with his initials in the corner.
“Thanks,” Rhona said, blowing her nose in a way that was expressly designed to put an end to any romantic notions.
Not that she’d been thinking of romance, she told herself.
“Sorry,” she said again. “I think I’d better go.” “Wait. If you go home now, your mother will guess something’s happened.”
“You mean I look a sight?” She risked looking up at him.
He smiled.
“I mean that you’re still obviously upset. “There’s no getting away from the fact that Gordy acted very foolishly, but he got a real fright today, and hopefully he will learn from it.
“There’s no point alarming your mum by disclosing just how close he came.
“All she’ll do is give herself sleepless nights and tie poor Gordy even tighter to her apron strings.” “You’re right,” Rhona admitted.
His expression darkened.
“Well, I expect you’re in a minority in Muir Ferry who thinks that a Buxton can be right about anything, now that my dad’s announced his plans for the marina.”
More tomorrow.