Granddad Bracey And The Flight To The Seven Seas E-Book

Michael N. Wilton

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

When retired captain James Clipper gets his nickname, Granddad Bracey, he little realizes that it will involve them in an epic adventure on a far-away planet called Seven Seas.

There, together with his granddaughter Sally, they have to battle against all odds to save her mother's life.

Leseprobe

Granddad Bracey and the Flight to the Seven Seas

Michael N. Wilton

Copyright (C) 2013 Michael N. Wilton

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2019 by Next Chapter

Published 2019 by Next Chapter

Cover art by Cover Mint

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

Chapter One Something to Tell You

Drip, drip, plop…

Sally stirred restlessly in her bed and tried to shut out the sound of the rain on the window by burying her head under the pillow. Autumn had given way to winter and the joint assault of wind and rain was making the half-open window rattle.

After a while, the incessant dripping seemed to grow louder in her imagination until she couldn't stand it any longer. Leaping out of bed, she rushed to the window as fast as her fifteen-year-old legs would carry her, and fighting her way through the billowing curtains, finally managed to slam the casement window shut.

Heaving a sigh of relief, she climbed back into the familiar warmth of her bed and did her best to get back to sleep again. But as she dozed her mind was still full of the stress of recent events and the faces of the people involved whirled past her like a fairground roundabout.

First it was Mummy and Daddy sweeping round, licking ice-creams, laughing and waving at her as they passed. The next time round, Mummy was by herself looking sad and forlorn in black with her brother Peter clutching his snuffy for comfort, although it was now reduced to a worn-out piece.

Then the music stopped and the memory of her father's death swept over her once again.

She pressed her face desperately into the depths of her pillow to shut out the memory, and in doing so missed the patter of feet scuttling across the bedroom floor. Something tugged at her bedclothes and the next moment Peter was in the bed snuggling up to her, clasping his snuffy tightly.

'It's me, P-Peter,' he announced, taking an extra sniff at his snuffy for reassurance.

Sally sighed resignedly. 'I'd never have guessed. Can't you sleep?'

'No.' He accepted the excuse happily. After a while, he came out with the one question she had been dreading. 'Was it today…?'

'Yes,' she said, trying to keep her voice steady, 'twelve months ago.'

Peter thought for a while, then voiced the thought that had been worrying him. 'Did he know?'

Sally let out a sigh and hugged him closer. 'No,' she said firmly. 'It happened too quickly, I promise you.' It was one thing she could be sure about. She still remembered the doctor putting Mummy right on that point.

'Most extraordinary thing,' she overheard him explaining in his surgery afterwards. 'That driver came out of the side turning so suddenly your husband couldn't have known a thing about it – if that's any comfort to you, Mary.'

She felt Peter tense up.

'Why did he have to g-go like that?'

'I wish I knew,' said Sally, listening to his stammer sadly, just one more reminder of the trauma the accident had left in its wake. 'At least we still have each other,' she added, trying to find a crumb of comfort. 'We'll just have to remember all the good times we had together.'

Peter looked up at her. 'Yes, I suppose so. You know, you sound just like him sometimes – I miss him.' His voice trembled.

'I know,' said Sally quickly, 'we all do. He was always there to play with us and give us treats.' She added gently, 'I'm afraid those days are over – Daddy spoilt us all. He believed that money was there to enjoy – he never thought we might have to do without it one day.'

Peter sighed. 'I'll have to t-tell Mummy, I don't think my shoes will last much longer. I've used up all the sticky tape holding them together.'

'Don't bother Mummy,' she said quickly, 'she's got enough to worry about as it is. I'll talk to Gramps.' She didn't like to tell him that her own clothes were virtually falling apart.

Mention of their grandfather made his face brighten. 'G-Gramps is ace. He lets me swing on his braces.'

Amused, Sally asked, 'Is that why you call him Granddad Bracey?'

'Yes, he doesn't mind. Don't tell Mum, but he's teaching me how to climb up a ship's rigging.'

Sally was intrigued. 'How's he doing that?'

Peter looked mysterious. 'He's building up all sorts of swings in his room.' He looked around cautiously. 'Gramps says if I learn the ropes, I can j-join the Merchant Navy when I grow up. I'm going to be a C-Captain like Gramps, and we won't have to worry about money anymore.'

Sally looked thoughtful. 'I don't know that we can wait that long.'

'B-but Gramps says we don't need to worry, he'll take care of us. He told me so.'

'The question is, whether Mummy will want to let Gramps help us – she's very independent.'

Peter shot up in bed. 'But what else can she do? I don't want to leave G-Gramps. We're happy as we are.'

But if their mummy had any thoughts about it she was keeping it to herself. When Peter plucked up courage to ask her as she took them to school, she merely smiled and shook her head, saying, 'We shall have to wait and see.'

It was the same next day as they set off. Mary still wore a smile of blissful anticipation, and it was not until she picked them up later to go home that she let slip a casual remark that was to change their lives forever.

'Now, my darlings,' as she let them out, 'I want you to be extra good this afternoon. I have to leave you here for a little while, and go and do some shopping,' she hesitated, 'and one or two other things. But don't worry,' seeing the anxious look on their faces, 'I shan't be long. Your tea is all ready, and Gramps knows all about it, so he'll be there to look after you. You never know,' she added mysteriously as she let out the clutch, 'I might even have some extra special news to tell you about when I get back that may be the answer to all our prayers.'

And they had to be content with that, little knowing what bombshell awaited them. They found out later that afternoon when she returned laden with shopping and introduced them to a shabby looking man and a stern-faced young woman.

'Children, I've got some exciting news to tell you. I want you to meet my new special friend who's coming to stay with us. This is Mr Black, and his daughter, Mona. But you can call him, Ned.'

Ned gave an uneasy smile and held out his hand, but the children's eyes were fixed on their mother in shocked silence.

Her mother broke the uncomfortable pause. 'Cat got your tongue?'

'How do you do?' Sally said politely.

'Peter?'

Her son gulped and ran from the room.

After a while, Ned withdrew his hand sheepishly and cast a furtive look around, carefully taking in the surroundings.

'Please forgive him. Peter was very close to his father,' Mary apologised. 'Now Sally, I want you to be particularly kind to Mona. Her sister had a nasty accident recently, so I am sure you will make her feel at home.'

Bridging an awkward pause, Mary went on brightly, 'Now, off to bed and start getting undressed, darling, while I show Ned and Mona around. I'll be up to see you shortly.'

When she got up to her bedroom, Sally found Peter sprawled across her bed, looking miserable. She patted his head sympathetically.

'H-how c-could she get someone in like that?' complained Peter bitterly. 'I w-want my dad.'

'I'm afraid he won't be coming back,' she said sadly, then added, 'I don't like the look of that Mona either.'

Before she could say any more, the door opened and their mother was in the room, gathering Peter up in her arms.

'I know it was a bit of a shock, darlings, but Ned and Mona wanted to see the house right away and I couldn't very well refuse.'

'Why d-did you have to find someone like him,' wailed Peter. 'I hate him!'

'I thought you were happy as we were?' asked Sally, bewildered.

Her mother reached out and put an arm around both of them. 'You don't understand, do you?' She hugged them compassionately. 'I loved your father dearly, but things can't go on as they are. You've no idea how the expenses have eaten into our savings, and it's not fair on Granddad. I haven't dared tell him how much we owe everyone.' Then she brightened up. 'But the good news is that my new friend is very well off, so we won't have to worry about money anymore.'

'Well, I hope you'll be very happy,' said Sally unconvinced, trying to adjust herself to the news. 'He doesn't look very well off to me,' she added, thinking back to their meeting, remembering Ned's worn out shoes and patched clothes.

'You mustn't judge by appearances, you old disbeliever,' teased her mother. She studied Sally's profile. 'You know, you're very much like your dear father. He always wished you'd been a boy. You're such a tomboy sometimes.' She sighed. 'You're growing up so fast, I do believe you'll be bossing us all around before much longer.'

She caught the obstinate look on Sally's face. 'I tell you what, just to prove it, I'll speak to Ned first thing tomorrow and see if we can work out something about the housekeeping – how's that?'

Sally nodded reluctantly and her mother got up, satisfied. 'Right then, into bed both of you. You'll see, everything will turn out all right. You just wait and see.'

* * *

But it was no better the next morning. When Sally looked in on Peter to help him get dressed, she found her brother going through the motions moodily, picking up clothes and dropping them, while he clutched his snuffy for comfort. Sally sighed and picked them up after him. 'You're not still playing with that old thing at your age, are you?'

'It's all right for you,' he said plaintively, 'you'll be leaving school soon. I'll have to put up with all the ragging when the others in my form hear about it, you've no idea.' Unable to bear the thought, he burst out, 'Where did she find him?'

She sighed, trying to think of something to cheer him up.

'I know, let's go and see Granddad and see what he thinks.'

Peter nodded miserably.

As they neared Granddad's room, he speeded up and rushed through the doorway shouting, 'B-Bracey! Got something to tell you!'

But from the expression on Granddad's face, he already knew. His usual cheery face was clouded and preoccupied, as if he was debating how to break the news.

'How c-could she, Gramps?' howled Peter, throwing himself at his beloved granddad.

'Did you know about this, Gramps?' cried Sally.

Granddad nodded briefly. 'Your mother's just left. She realised she should have told you earlier, so you could have got used to the idea.' He held up a hand. 'I know, don't tell me. Mary always was a bit impetuous. She'll just have to work it out her own way. We can't rush her.' He looked anxious. 'Something must be worrying her though – I do wish she'd tell me.'

Sally plucked up courage, hoping she wasn't being too disloyal to her mother. 'She said she didn't want to be a burden to you,' then before she could stop herself, 'Mummy says we owe a lot of money,' adding hurriedly, 'but she said Ned was very well off and we didn't have to worry anymore.'

'She knows she doesn't have to worry about money,' Granddad thundered, horrified. 'Why didn't she tell me? What made her think of doing such a thing?'

Peter gave his opinion in no uncertain terms. 'He loo-looks like an old t-tramp to me, Gramps!'

Granddad consulted his watch and said grudgingly, 'She did say she was going to have a word with that Ned fellow about housekeeping, I'll give her that. She's probably tackling him about it now.'

They were interrupted by the sound of raised voices below. Granddad put a finger to his lips and moved to the door at a speed unusual for a man of his age.

'But Ned, you know I spent all my money on that holiday of ours – I haven't got a bean left,' Mary's voice floated up in anguish. 'You promised me you'd let me have some housekeeping now you're coming to stay with us.'

'I did that – that I did, Mary my love,' came the over hearty response. 'Just give me a few more days to get me affairs straightened out then it will be roses all the way, I promise you.'

'I only want a few pounds to tide me over until you pay the rent at the end of the month – just enough to pay a few bills and get some supper in.'

'Here you are then, take me wallet with all me worldly wealth,' came his shifty reply. 'All t'irty pounds of it, to be sure. And you can have the shirt off me back an' all, if that's any help to you.'

There was a pause, then, 'But…Ned…there's nothing here. It's empty!'

'What? And what thieving vagabond would do that to me, I'd like to know?' Ned acted outraged, pitching his voice higher for all to hear.

'That useless windbag,' muttered Granddad. 'I told her he's no good.'

'Shhh!' urged Sally. 'Mona's saying something.'

'I think you ought to ask someone a little closer to home for an answer to that one,' they heard Ned's daughter insinuate artfully. 'Didn't I see young Peter sneaking down the back stairs last night? Is he short of pocket money, as well?'

Sally turned to her brother but the amazed look on his face told her all she wanted to know.

There was a pounding of footsteps on the stairs and the next minute their mother burst into the room. 'Have you taken any money from Ned's wallet, Peter?'

White faced, Peter started stuttering in an effort to speak.

Sally stood in her way, furious at the accusation. 'Mummy, you don't seriously believe that woman?'

Mary drew herself up with an effort. 'No, of course I don't want to, but I must hear it from Peter. Is it true?'

'It wa-wasn't me, honest!' Peter got out at last, sheltering behind his granddad.

Mary broke down all of a sudden and sobbed in her father's arms.

He patted her on the back with resignation. 'Who would you rather believe – your own son or that woman, Mona.' He spoke the name scathingly.

Lifting her face shamefully, Mary wiped her eyes. 'I don't know what to believe. I thought I was doing it for the best. What shall I do? I'll just have to see if I can get my old job back.'

'Here.' Granddad hastily fished a note out of his pocket. 'Go and buy whatever you need to eat. We'll talk about it later,' he added, nodding meaningfully at the children.

* * *

And the situation didn't get any better after that. Ned slunk around the house with a slightly tipsy roll, trying to avoid Mary. Mona walked past Sally and Peter with a sniff of disapproval and the children increasingly sought refuge in their granddad's room, while Mary herself seemed to be losing heart at the way things were going. As the days passed, she grew listless and looked so pale that Sally became very concerned.

It got to such a pitch that by the end of the week when she normally sat down to have a cosy chat with the children before wishing them goodnight, Mary staggered slightly and had to reach out for the nearest bedpost before easing herself down.

'Mummy, are you all right?' said a worried Sally, jumping out of bed.

'I'm fine.' Her mother attempted a smile. 'I expect I've been overdoing it a little.'

'You don't look fine to me. I didn't see you eating much at supper.'

'Just a tummy upset. Now,' she said brightly, picking up a book, 'what's it to be?'

After reading a few pages, Sally could see her mother was only managing to keep going with an effort. After a while, she began repeating herself and started stumbling over some of the words, so Sally pretended to be too sleepy to listen to any more. Thankfully, Mary allowed Sally to lead her back along the landing. Outside Sally's room she insisted she was perfectly all right, and taking a deep breath walked on steadily, watched by her anxious daughter.

Chapter Two Mounting Suspense

Sally slept badly that night and was up early, peeping in at her mother on the way to the bathroom to see if she was all right. The sound of steady breathing reassured her and she hurried on. There was no sign of Ned or Mona in any of the bedrooms, but on her way back she could hear voices downstairs.

'…just be patient, Mona, will you. We're in the gravy I tell you – the old man's loaded.' Sally heard Ned's anxious tones and frowned.

'…she's beginning to suspect…We can't afford to wait…'

'Hush.' The voices dropped, then as she hung over the banisters to hear better, she caught the odd phrase. '…well, do it gradually, we don't want any more slip-ups. Remember the trouble that old great aunt of yours caused, Bridget whatever-her-name was?'

'MacHenny,' she heard her whisper fiercely. Then, 'Shut the door – d'you want them all to hear?'

'What's ha-happening?' breathed Peter in her ear.

'Quiet!' hissed Sally, but it was too late. The voices below cut off immediately.

'Let's go and tell Gramps,' she decided reluctantly, knowing that she would not hear any more.

'Bridget MacHenny?' Granddad pursed his lips when they found him doing his morning exercises, touching his toes. He straightened up. 'I seem to remember that name. Now, where was it?' He repeated the name several times to himself. 'Give me time to think, it'll come to me. Which reminds me,' he glanced up at the clock, 'talking about time, you'll be getting me into trouble, making you late for school, if you don't get a move on.'

In a sudden lift of spirits, Sally grinned. 'Gramps, it's our last day of term – we're on holiday tomorrow, remember?'

'S-silly Gramps,' chimed in Peter, dancing around him. 'Fancy for-forgetting that.'

'Oh, go on with you,' laughed Granddad. 'As for those two downstairs, I shouldn't worry too much. They may be grasping, but I can't see them doing anything stupid.'

Sally sighed inwardly. He was the best granddad in the world, but he was too good-natured to believe evil in anyone. 'Please try, Gramps,' she urged. 'It may be important. Come on, Peter, we'd better hurry.'

As they neared the breakfast room, she held Peter back cautiously as the voices started getting heated on the other side of the door.

'I don't see why you can't look after the children, Mona, while I'm going for interviews – I can't keep on asking Granddad at his age,' their mother was pleading anxiously. 'It would only be for a short while. They'll be on holiday tomorrow, and then what am I going to do? I must get a job soon.'

'And how d'you think I can look after the children when I'm doing the housework and cooking for everyone all day long, I ask you. Why can't Ned do it?'

'Sure, and I've no time at all, what with all me business meetings piling up. No time at all.'

'If you had half the money coming in you keep on talking about, I wouldn't have to go out looking for any jobs,' they heard their mother cry in desperation.

'Why don't you get someone to look after them – that's what social services are for,' interrupted Mona hurriedly, afraid that the row might get out of hand. Unfortunately, she couldn't have picked on a more sensitive subject.

The children could sense the remark angered their mother by the way her voice trembled. 'Over my dead body.' They heard her thump the table. 'Don't you dare ever suggest such a monstrous idea. It's the last thing I'd do.'

There was an awkward pause, and Sally decided to lend her support.

'Morning all – not too late, are we?' she called out brightly, pulling Peter in after her. She was just in time to see Mona standing at the sink, her eyes blazing, glaring at the glass that had just shattered in her hand. As she tipped the fragments away, Sally could see that her mother's defiant protest had left Mona smouldering.

Apparently unaware of the tense atmosphere, Mary fussed over the children, making sure they finished off their cereal properly, before gathering them up and taking them to school. On the way, Sally and Peter watched anxiously as their mother's attention wandered, distracted by the recent row. At one point the car swayed and veered halfway across the road before straightening out again.

Hearing a shout from a passing motorist, Mary pulled herself together and carried on at a more modest speed, slowing down with extra caution to allow people across the road and revving the engine up again as soon as they passed.

When they got out, Sally felt a bit shaken and tried to persuade her mother to take a bus home.

'Nonsense,' said Mary briskly. 'I'll be all right, you just watch me.' She put her foot down as she called back out of the window, 'Make sure you're ready on time and don't forget to bring all your books back for your holiday projects.'

The children closed their eyes instinctively as their mother swung the car around and sped back the way she'd come.

Sally couldn't remember anything that went on during the rest of the day's lessons. Finding an excuse to leave early, she hurried Peter outside the gates with her heart in her mouth, praying that their familiar old family car would turn up again soon.

At last it swung into view, scattering shingle across the school drive in all directions, making some of the waiting parents jump hastily out of the way.

'Quick, get in children, I've got an interview in half an hour,' Mary called out. 'As soon as that's over, we'll have lots of fun together now you're on holiday.'

Hanging on in the back seat as the car swung from one side of the road to the other, Sally hoped fervently that the new job didn't have anything to do with cars. She didn't bother to look at Peter because she knew he would be face down on the seat, trying not to look.

'There we are, darlings,' began her mother, pulling up hastily outside the house. 'You go and have your tea – I had something before I came out.'

'I'm hungry,' announced Peter, forgetting to stutter at the thought.

The mention of food made Mary gulp suddenly and she rushed white-faced into the house mumbling her apologies, while holding a hand to her mouth.

When they followed her inside, they caught sight of Ned helping her up to her room, and later on Mona followed up with a drink. As they sat around in the kitchen waiting for news and a chance to visit their mother, Mona reappeared telling them curtly that their mother was feeling poorly and they were not to disturb her on any account.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Sally meekly said she would go and see their grandfather, leaving Peter to catch up on his appetite. Later that evening, thinking the coast was clear, she tiptoed down the corridor from her room, only to come face to face with Mona as she was shutting Mary's door.

'Your mother's not seeing anyone at the moment,' snapped Mona.

Sally faced up to her squarely. 'Granddad is very worried about Mummy,' she fibbed, 'and he particularly asked me to find out how she is.'

'Tell him to –' she snapped impatiently. 'Your Mother is feeling better but she wants to be left alone, so go back to your room and let her rest. Please, do as I say,' she added reluctantly, as she saw the set look on Sally's face.

'I can't tell Granddad that unless Mummy's told me so herself, can I? And if I can't see her,' Sally pointed out firmly, 'Granddad will get very worried and insist on sending for a doctor.'

Having delivered her ultimatum, she held out her hand for the key.

Swallowing her anger, Mona handed over the key and turned on her heel in a flounce.

'Mums?' Sally groped her way across the semi-darkened room and felt for the bed.

At the sound of her voice, a weak voice answered. 'Sally, is that you?'

There was a fumbling movement and a bedside light blinked and came on. Her mother lay there shielding her eyes, looking weak and exhausted.

'How are you? We're all worried about you – Gramps was asking after you.' Sally leaned over and held her mother's hand. 'Shall I ring up the doctor?'

Her mother shook her head. 'I've been rather sick, but I don't like to bother the doctor. I expect I'll feel better in the morning. I don't want you to worry about me.'

'But we are worried,' insisted Sally. She looked at the empty glass on the bedside locker. 'Is it anything you've had to drink or eat that's caused the upset?'

Mary hesitated. 'The drink did taste a bit funny…' then seeing the alarm on Sally's face, she went on quickly, 'but it could have been me – I've been feeling very peculiar lately. Must have been doing too much and worrying about money. Yes, that's what it is.'

Gathering strength, she managed a smile. 'Look, don't worry, pet. You can do something for me though.' She raised herself and rummaged in her dressing gown pocket.

'Would you look after this watch for me in case anything happens – to the watch, I mean,' seeing the expression on Sally's face. She looked at it lovingly for a moment and said simply, 'This was a present from your daddy when we got engaged. I wouldn't like anything to happen to it…' Her voice trailed off.

Sally gripped her hands urgently. 'I promise to look after it, Mummy. And you promise to get better as well.'

'Good,' the voice went faint and Sally bent over to make out the words. 'If I'm not better tomorrow, I'll let you call a doctor. Tell Gramps. And now, if you'll forgive me, darling, I do need to rest.'

'Of course. Have a good night's sleep.' Hugging the watch, Sally tiptoed out and closed the door softly behind her.

Bursting to tell Granddad about the day's events and fears about her safety, Sally bounded up the stairs only to be met by a locked door on the landing.

Giving up in frustration, she went to bed but couldn't get to sleep. Tossing and turning, she went over in her mind the furtive conversations she'd overheard, followed by the sudden deterioration in her mother's health. She seemed to get worse after standing up to that wretched Mona and her father, especially after those funny looking drinks Mona kept taking her. It was almost as if there was something in the drinks that…made her sick. She shut her mind to the idea, appalled at the direction her thoughts were taking her.

She fell into a troubled sleep and found herself sliding into a nightmare where all the strange happenings of recent events became magnified into frightening proportions. Weird shapes began to appear out of nowhere and swoop past her in her dream at an alarming speed, led by an ancient crone on a broomstick who was looking back at her, pointing and crowing. The next moment, Sally felt herself being flung down on the ground, lying there helplessly, with the evil one getting closer and closer, waving something at her that smelt horrible, and glistened and vibrated like a living being.

'Look at this!' she shrieked. 'My little beauty! When I've got this, nothing can stand in my way!' Throwing back her cloak, she revealed the gleeful face of Mona, holding up the object in triumph before tossing it at Sally's feet and disappearing into a swirling mist.

Bang. Jerked back into consciousness by a sudden loud noise outside the bedroom window, Sally found herself wide awake, straining to identify the source.

Half asleep, she stumbled to the window and blinked at the sight that met her eyes. Coming silently up the pathway was a familiar shape, carrying something in her hands. As the figure got closer, Sally made out the dishevelled outline of Mona, holding a strange looking plant.

As she concentrated on the object, Sally started reliving the horrors of her nightmare, and the sudden recognition of the object she had seen in her dreams made her go hot and cold all over. It was the same plant their old gardener, Bob, warned her about all those years ago when they were able to afford his services.