Short Story Video: A hand to hold. It was well into the year 1810 as midshipman Wally Sims stood at the helm of the 36 gun frigate One And All. The weather had changed for the worst coming from the South West as the rain set in. Lightning could be seen emerging from the clouds shifting body of mass as it crept closer to the ship, threatening more rain. The wind had begun dropping in and out which was odd and annoying thought Wally as he moved the helm a few spokes to starboard. Today marked the three and a half year voyage from England chasing privateers through the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Sea with a brief stopover in the Bay of Bengal before crossing into the Indian Ocean. They had scored a hit with the Firefox close hauled behind them with a prize crew on board. Of all places, Wally thought, to catch Firefox so far South and close to the rocks of Wedge Island he was lucky not to run aground, especially at night! The sails shifted and started to luff, coming up into the wind again he moved the ship closer to the wind. Soon we would have to change tack if we are to weather this storm, he thought to himself. The other crew on deck noticed the shifting wind and hung around the sails lines ready for a call. Glancing down at the helm, his hand softly wrapped around one of the spokes he suddenly thought to himself, he had never held a woman’s hand before. Struck by this thought he unexpectedly felt alone, more alone than usual. His hand, now twitching, now yearning for a feeling that might never happen. “Excuse me? Is that spot reserved for just the helmsman or can I stand up there with you?” Jerked from his thoughts he looked down. Looking up was her, of all people it was her! ‘Err ye ye yes you can.’ Feeling stupid he held her hand as she lifted herself up to the helms raised platform. Coming back to the helm he looked up to see her golden hair fly with the wind as she turned into it, slowly tying it back and up in a bundle as her hands worked away. Her breaches were his that she had borrowed yet she still managed to take his breath away. Regaining his composure he looked on as the sails filled, a little more strongly this time, as though her presence on deck sent excitement throughout the ship, as the sails conversation with the wind continued. Looking at her again, his eyes fell to her hand resting on the compass then at her feet. The ship had steadied more though the storm still lay impending on the edge ready to break out at any time. His hand by his side he continued to steer the ship with the other easing it off the wind a bit. With a tickle a first he glanced down at his hand, there, another hung in perfect balance softly reaching for his. Moving closer her hand held his, gently at first then stronger. Looking up she was already looking into his eyes. It began to rain with big droplets of cold water yet still they held each other’s gaze, rain slowly soaking them through, but they didn’t care. Not a word was needed. - Written by Admin Luke
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 09:53:10 +0000
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