Читать книгу Forest Shadows - David Laing - Страница 14

Jim Kelly, Snook’s dad and skipper of The Shandora, stood on the deck alongside his partner, Arnie Grimshaw, whom he’d recently taken on as a deckhand. Jim had been quick to see the potential in Arnie, who had previously been a reluctant member of a bird-smuggling gang. The gang had included Arnie’s sister, Evelyn Grimshaw, his brother Hector and Mr Quigley, Quenton Quigley’s dad. The gang, whose plans had been thwarted by Jars and Snook, were now in Hobart’s Risdon Prison.

Now, legs spread and gripping the rail to steady themselves against the pitch and roll of the boat, both Jim and Arnie stared out to sea. They were silent, Jim deep in thought and Arnie thinking about nothing really, just listening for any orders that could come his way.

A sideways glance in Arnie’s direction made Jim smile. That morning, dressed in blue work singlet, denim shorts, work boots and no socks, Arnie, as usual, was thumbing his nose at the weather. The bitterly cold wind and the soaking sea spray didn’t matter.

In contrast, Jim had dressed in full, seagoing oilskins. ‘It’s comin’ in rough, Arnie,’ he said. ‘Sky’s gettin’ blacker by the minute. I reckon the weather’s about to take a turn for the worse. We’d better point the old girl home soon.’

As if in agreement, a wave bigger than the others, came over the side. It swirled around their feet and ankles; then, with a rushing, sucking sound, it disappeared back into the sea.

‘Let’s lift the last of the pots and head for home,’ Jim said. ‘It’s starting to look a bit dodgy out here.’