For Cat, who is heading to the ocean as we speak. And that makes me gloriously happy.

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20. A Home For The Heart

Emily

The next morning I awoke with a feeling of lightness running through my whole body. Naomi was still asleep, and I got up and padded over to the cottage window. Yesterday's wonderful sunshine had been replaced by gloomy clouds and an all-consuming hazy rain. Welcome back Welsh summer. I had a corporate team-bonding group in all this week. It was my least favourite type of work, because basically most of them were dicks and spent all of their time trying to outdo each other at the expense of actually learning anything. It was also a fairly safe bet that a fair proportion of them were going to try to hit on me.

But they paid well, and accounted for a good portion of Fitchwater's business, so I had to bite the bullet. Katie would do well this week too as they all spent hundreds kitting themselves out with stuff most of them would probably never use again. She would actively encourage their flirting and then fleece them blind whilst they were distracted by her cleavage. It was a crude strategy, but it was effective and she wasn't shy about using it, even on any female customers that showed an interest. For a straight girl she had a surprisingly effective gaydar.

But neither the rain, corporate gits nor my manipulative sister could dampen my mood this morning. All thoughts of them evaporated the second I turned back to the blonde in the bed. She was different. Inexplicably but undeniably different. I had always been my own woman in whatever relationships I had entered before. I have a life and friends that are important to me, and if a girl got too clingy or demanding of my time, it was time to let her go. I never felt the need to share everything about myself, and always hated those couples who merged into a single unit and became shadows of the individuals they were. But this blonde had split me right open. I felt so relieved that I had been able to open up to her yesterday. I felt mentally and even physically stronger for it. The only person who had seen that much of me had been Effy. I liked the rest of the world at a comforting distance, including all my other mates and even my twin. I wasn't unfriendly, or even naturally secretive like Effy, I just didn't feel the need to put everything on display. But there was something about Naomi that made me want to share my deepest hopes and fears with her, and felt completely safe putting my heart in her hands. Maybe it was simply because she was the very best person I had ever met.

I like to think I have a healthy amount of self-respect, and I do dearly love all of my friends and family, but for all of that we all clearly have our faults. Cook is a plonker and Katie's a bitch. Freddie's a loser and Effy takes too many drugs. My mother's a bigot and my brother's a perv. My Dad is a legend, but he's a coward when it comes to my Mum. I'm no fucking angel either, but Naomi, Naomi is just good. And honest. And honourable. And trusting. I think part of the reason I wanted to tell her everything is because she didn't ask. She was prepared to love me without getting all up in my business, and even when she was jealous of Effy, she never tried to take her from me. I knew Naomi had a beast of an intelligence, and a brain that could retain and understand incredibly complex ideas and systems, but at the heart of her she was a very simple soul who just wanted to love and be loved, and do the very best she could to make the world a better place. It made me feel uncharacteristically soppy, and as I looked back over at her with one arm, one leg and half of her cute as fuck little bum poking out from under the duvet, I was forced to concede that it also made me very horny.

No time for that this morning though. Thomas was still in Bristol and I had to drive Naomi down to the harbour before going to face my day of slow death by corporate moron. The alarm on my phone sprung into life beside the bed, shocking Naomi from her slumbers. A stupid smile exploded onto my face as I watched her instinctively reach out for me.

"Ems?" she said blearily.

"I'm here," I replied, before jumping back onto the bed and kissing her on the nose. "Time to get up, Sleeping Beauty, busy day ahead. Experiments to be done and idiots to manage in the water."

I didn't think it was possible for anyone to look that beautiful whilst pouting stroppily, but Naomi proved me wrong. I had to close my eyes and look away, otherwise I would have been toast.

The rain had pretty much soaked us by the time we got to Effy's boat, but it didn't really matter, both of us were going to spend most of the day wet, and not in the good way. I walked down the jetty hand in hand with her, telling myself it was because I wanted to say hi to Effy before I left, but knowing I was really just procrastinating.

"She's not here," frowned Naomi. "It's all locked up."

"Probably just having breakfast at Rita's," I shrugged. "It's ok, I've got a key. I'll let you in so you don't have to wait in the rain."

I let us in to the cabin, then decided I could do with a bit more practice for my attempt at the world procrastination record by making a cup of coffee. I had only gotten as far as putting the kettle on when Effy came crashing down into the cabin with a face like thunder. I stared at her in astonishment as she went straight to the cupboard where she hid her personal stash tin and pulled out a bag of coke. Both Naomi and I watched wide-eyed and speechless as she racked out a monster line for herself.

"What?" she said aggressively when she noticed me staring. "Do you want some? I would have thought it was a little early in the day for you."

"Actually I was thinking it was a little early in the day for you," I said.

"Whatever," she shrugged, and snorted up the powder.

"Effy, what are you doing?" I frowned.

"What does it matter?" she retorted. "I can still drive the fucking boat. Then all I have to do is sit around whilst Cousteau here does science."

"You know this isn't good for you," I insisted.

"Thanks for caring," she said sarcastically.

Much as I love Effy, there are moments when she has pushed me dangerously close to rage, and this was one of them. Fortunately Naomi sensed the tension and stepped in to save the day.

"It's ok, Emily. I'll keep an eye on her," she said.

"I don't need a fucking babysitter," growled Effy.

"I know you don't," said Naomi calmly. "But Emily loves you, and it will make her feel better if she thinks that someone's got your back. And I'm all about making Emily feel better."

The dark clouds that surrounded Effy seemed to part a little at her words.

"Sharp," she conceded. "She's definitely a keeper this one, Ems."

"I know," I said, seeing yet another facet to the Naomi jewel that dazzled me. Effy and I locked eyes, and for a moment it seemed like she was on the verge of spilling, but then the shutters came down again.

"Well give her a kiss and fuck off then," she said. "Haven't you got wankers to train?"

I resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't be getting anything else out of her for now, so I did as she suggested and kissed my girl goodbye. As I walked back down the jetty, I tried to assess whether or not Effy was getting worse. Ever since I had known her she had teetered constantly between enjoying drugs for fun, and using them to block out her emotions, flirting dangerously with addiction. Usually it balanced itself out somehow, but I could never allow myself to become complacent. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her and I wasn't there to help her. It was one of the reasons I always made sure I had time for her, even through my obsession with Naomi. I was so lost in my thoughts, I almost didn't notice my sister leaning up against the side wall of Rita's café, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. Riddle fucking solved.

"What have you done to her this time?" I demanded angrily. Marching up to her.

"Yeah that's right, cause it's always fucking my fault isn't it?" she spat in retaliation. "You always take her side, don't you?"

"She's my best friend," I said. "I care about her."

"I'm your fucking sister, bitch," seethed Katie. "Believe it or not, I have fucking feelings too, you know."

"Why don't you enlighten me?" I said harshly.

"You have no fucking idea, do you?" sighed Katie. "Even your fucking girlfriend is nicer to me than you are."

We glared at each other like angry strangers for a minute or two, until Katie broke the silence.

"So are you going to give me a ride to work or what?" she said.

"Is my name Asif?" I scoffed, unwillingly to let her win.

"Fuck you, Emily," she said with her usual venom, but her eyes filled up and she looked on the verge of tears.

It shocked me. Nobody ever saw Katie Fitch cry. It reminded me that despite my own allegiances, there were always two sides to the story, and though her love was pure, Effy was certainly no saint.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I'm just in an iffy mood. I'll give you a ride."

"What's up bitch?" said Katie, trying to salvage her dignity. "Blondie not putting out this morning?"

My mind drifted back to me and Naomi at the secret lagoon, and stayed there until I heard Katie laughing.

"You should see your face," she mocked. "It's really kinda gross. I hope you realise how lucky you are."

.

.

.

The next evening I left Naomi catching up with Thomas, and made sure I was around for Effy. If she really was having a wobble, then tonight would be even worse for her. I had tried to get her away from the village to go and see a movie in Swansea or something, but she had insisted she just wanted to go down to the pub and have a normal night. I didn't really know why, but Effy always hated her birthday. She never celebrated it and went to great lengths to conceal it from the others. I always brought her a present for it, but would often save it and give it to her on some other random day so as not to draw attention. Of course she was onto my little game, but she appreciated the effort as long as we kept it between ourselves. A normal night down the pub would probably be the best thing for us. We could just hang out and chat like best mates do, and have a pleasant evening with no drama. We were only about halfway down our first pint when that plan got blown to cock.

Effy was laughing at one of my adorable geeky Naomi stories when all the humour suddenly drained out of her face. I looked up to see Freddie approaching with a flashy bunch of flowers.

"Hi Effy," he said nervously.

"What's the matter, did somebody die?" she said eyeing the gaudy bouquet.

"What these?" said Freddie. "No these are for you."

He reached out his arm to present them to her.

"Happy Birthday," he said pleasantly.

This was not good. This was not good at all.

"Who the fuck told you about it?" hissed Effy.

"Um no one. I just.. I just sort of found out," mumbled Freddie.

"Stalker," said Effy accusingly.

"I just wanted to give you something nice," he said, the hurt showing in his puppy dog eyes.

Oh Freddie, you fuckwit. Never show Effy your pain. She'll only go and twist the knife.

"Then why don't you go and give them to someone who gives a fuck," she said coldly.

She downed the rest of her pint in one, grabbed her cigarettes from the table and headed for the back door.

"Maybe I will," retorted Freddie at her receding back.

"That went well," I sighed. "Face it, Freds. You're never going to be a match for my sister."

I looked up at him only to find that his usual wistful hangdog expression had been replaced by one of anger.

"You know what? Fuck her, just fuck her," he said and stormed off.

I felt like I should have been storming off too just to fit in, but it really would have been a cheat. I was a lucky girl. My obsessive love was completely requited. I finished my pint in silence, hoping that the cigarette would have calmed Effy down and we could get back to our evening. With that in mind I wandered over to the bar, to get us another round of drinks. As I squeezed back out of the crowd at the bar, my mouth dropped open in horror at the sight that unfolded before me. Katie was cooing over the very same bunch of flowers, whilst Freddie leaned in far too close to her to just be being friendly. He was smiling and making eyes at her, and Katie was drinking it all in like it was the finest champagne. Oh twenty thousand levels of fuck. I had to stop Effy from seeing that or she was going to go ballistic. I whirled around with the two pints still in my hands, frantically searching the pub for her, but I was too late. She was barely in the back door, but her eyes were riveted to the spectacle. Emotions were cycling through them like the flash cuts from a horror movie trailer. Fear, anger, betrayal, disbelief, pain and abhorrence blazed through her at a thousand miles an hour as she stood stock still and entranced by her worst fucking nightmare playing out before her. Her adrenalin was amping up inside her, pushing her towards the edge where she would choose between fight or flight.

In the end she just turned and ran. I only hesitated for a second before I shoved both pints towards a confused but grateful Jonno, and started fighting my way out of the pub behind her. But I wasn't quick enough, by the time I made it through the door, Effy was nowhere to be seen. That girl could run like a cheetah when her mood dictated it. I tried her phone, even though I knew she wouldn't answer it, and when the call went through to voicemail, I felt my blood begin to boil. Effy may have chosen to run, but my body was screaming at me to fight. I pushed my way angrily back into the pub, and stormed over to the flirting couple.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I practically screamed at Katie.

She seemed momentarily shaken by the ferocity of my rage, but quickly recovered herself.

"What does it look like?" she said haughtily. "I'm getting chatted up by a hunky guy."

She flashed her eyes at Freddie when she said the words 'hunky guy', and he grinned back at her sheepishly. I was sick of the whole fucking pantomime.

"How the fuck could you do this to her?" I said angrily.

Katie's head shot back towards me. At least she had the decency not to pretend she didn't know what I was talking about. She even looked a little guilty.

"It's not my fault I like guys," pouted Katie. "Look, he gave me these lovely flowers."

I took a deep breath, trying to be reasonable, trying to control my rage, but it wasn't really working.

"I know you're not into her," I said. "But do you have to rub it in her face? With him? Jesus Katie, it's her fucking birthday."

Katie's face fell.

"I didn't know," she said apologetically. "She never said."

"And you," I said rounding on Freddie and shoving him in the chest. "How dare you use my fucking sister just to get back at Effy, you cunt."

"Say what?" said Katie, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I wasn't. I didn't," stuttered Freddie.

"I was fucking there, you lying knobjockey," I yelled at him.

"What are you talking about, Ems?" said Katie.

"Your precious fucking flowers," I said, flicking contemptuously at the bouquet. "He bought them for Effy, but when she refused them he thought he'd come and try them out on you. Just cause he knew you'd be all over him and it would piss her off. But this isn't just going to piss her off Katie, it's going to send her into fucking meltdown."

Katie looked down at the treacherous blooms as she listened to her dream disintegrating round her ears.

"You have to come and help me look for her. I don't know what the fuck she's going to do," I pleaded.

"Ok," said Katie. "And Freddie pull your trousers up."

He obediently yanked his keks up from where they sat fashionably half way down his arse.

"And Freds, you can pretty much fuck off now," she said grabbing at the front of his baggy jeans, and shoving the flowers down his crotch.

Katie grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the pub.

"Have you tried phoning her?" she said.

"Yeah, but she never fucking answers," I replied.

"Then we better split up. Will she go to the boat?"

"No, cause she won't want me to find her and stop her from fucking herself up."

"OK, I'll go this way," said Katie, turning on her heels and sprinting away.

An hour later and I had found no trace of Effy. I'd had no word from Katie either, and I found myself standing forlornly by the duckpond in the pissing rain. I contemplated widening my search, making a mental list of all of our favourite hangouts, but as I stood there I suddenly realised how cold and tired and wet I was. My adrenalin dropped, and all the life seemed to drain right out of me. I couldn't hold the surge of emotion that washed over me, and I started to cry, unashamedly bawling my eyes out with only the ducks to witness it. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, speed dialling Katie. I howled in frustration when I got her voicemail, and threw the phone down into the grass. Luckily, I had gotten myself one of those shockproof and damp proof ones to go with my lifestyle, so a few seconds later I had picked it up and was frantically punching at Naomi's contact. I was done with being strong. I needed someone to look after me. I swore openly at the recorded message, before remembering that she had fucked her phone with her impetuous dive into the water. The thought of it made me smile briefly, even through my tears. I searched through my contacts till I found Thomas's number, and prayed they were still together.

By the time he had passed the phone over I could do little more than sob down the line at her. She didn't even try to ask me what was wrong.

"Where are you?" she said.

"Duckpond," I managed to blubber out.

"I'm coming for you," she said.

She continued talking at me as she left the house, saying soothing words and telling me it was going to be alright. I felt like I was drowning out here in the hammering rain, but her voice was a fucking lifeline.

"Emily my love, I'm going to have to put the phone down now," she said calmly. "Cause I'm going to drive very fast, and I will need to concentrate. Stay alive, I will find you."

I stood there, clutching the phone to my chest as if the warmth of her voice was still emanating from it to protect me, and listened for the sound of engines. It only seemed like minutes before I could make out the growling sound of Thomas's beat up car, and then seconds later saw it hurtling towards me. Naomi screeched to a halt, and flung the door open, running towards me and wrapping me tightly in her arms.

"I've got you, I've got you," she said, kissing the top of my head. "I've got you. Everything's going to be ok."

I lost myself in her for a moment. It felt so good to have her. To have someone I could rely on completely. Someone who would let me be weak, and still love me for it. But then I realised that I still had to be that someone for someone else.

"We have to look for Effy," I said.

"What happened?" asked Naomi.

"She caught Freddie flirting like a bastard with Katie, and Katie was loving every minute of it."

"Fuck, she's so stupid," sighed Naomi.

"She can't help who she loves," I said defensively. "If she could get over it, she would have done by now. Freddie was being an arsehole."

"I wasn't talking about Effy," said Naomi, pulling back from the embrace and kissing me lightly on the lips. "Just tell me where you want to go."

"I love you," I said urgently.

It seemed it was unfettered emotion night tonight.

"I love you too," replied Naomi, kissing me again, and before I knew it I had my hands in her hair and was kissing her passionately as though it was the only thing keeping me alive. The rain pelted down around us, drumming into the duckpond and onto the roof of the car. A carload of lads drove past us, tooting their horn and yelling indistinguishable crap out of the window, but nothing could pull me from that kiss. Nothing except the sound of Effy's ringtone buzzing away in my hand.

"Where are you?" I said, repeating Naomi's earlier question, desperate to get to her as fast as I could.

"I'm ok," said Effy.

"Where are you?" I repeated.

"I'm not wasted," replied Effy calmly, and to be fair she sounded completely coherent. "And I'm going to be alright. I'm sorry I worried you."

"What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing," said Effy. "I'm just going to go home now. Everything's cool."

"We'll drive over there and meet you," I said, realising she wasn't going to tell me where she was.

"No, don't," she said. "Honestly, I'm fine. Get that girl of yours to take you home and get warm. I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Are you sure?" I insisted.

"Please Emily," she said. "Just let me chill. I'm sorry I upset you, but I really am going to be ok. I promise you, you don't have to worry about me. I haven't even had a drink."

"Ok," I said reluctantly. "But I'm coming over first thing in the morning."

"Give my love to Naomi," she said, and I could almost feel the smirk coming down the phone. Amazingly this was cool Effy I was talking to, and somehow that fruit machine of emotions I had seen in her earlier had landed on an unexpected jackpot of calm.

Naomi took me back to the cottage. I didn't want to be anywhere near the free for all that was the rest of the Fitch family at a time like this. I had texted Katie to tell her Effy was ok, and got a weirdly Effy-like 'Sweet', in reply. But I had pretty much had enough of the rest of the world and its problems for today. I had my pretty bubble of love and fluffiness, and I was going to wallow in it. Naomi ran me a bath, after telling me that although the drowned rat look was still hot on me she didn't want me to catch pneumonia and go die on her. She had lit candles, and poured something lush and gorgeous smelling into the water, and it only took her seconds after I had gotten in for her to decide to shed her clothes and join me. It was the most perfect fucking feeling, just lying back against her soft body in the candle light with the steam, the hot water and the bubbles creating a gorgeous ambience. Her hand stroked lazily up and down my arm, and she nuzzled her lips against my shoulder and neck. Katie's words from the previous morning came floating back into my head – I hope you realise how lucky you are.

"I'm so glad I found you," I said.

"And now you've found me, are you going to keep me?" smiled Naomi.

"Oh God yes," I said. "You're precious."

"I like that," she replied. "Precious. And I know you're tough as shit and kinda badass, but for moments like this, I'll always be here for you."

I was fucking lucky, and I knew it. Naomi had made a home for my heart. I felt a sudden sadness for all the players in the Gower's longest standing fucked up soap opera love triangle, and hoped that some day that would find a way to stop hurting each other. That some day they'd all be able to find a love like this.

.

.

.

Next morning I crept awake into the dull light of another overcast day. I smiled as I looked at the half open curtains, loving how Naomi had become a creature of the light with me. She had soon learned that she could quite easily sleep through the coming of the dawn, but that she woke up happier if she woke into the light. I left her in the bed and started to collect my clothes.

"Hmmph," I heard from the duvet behind me. "There's an Emily shaped hole in my bed."

"I have to go and check on Effy," I said.

"I know," said Naomi, poking her dishevelled head from under the covers. "Good luck with that. I'm going to sleep, cause somebody kept me awake half the night making sure I knew how much she loves me."

A celestial warmth flooded through the whole of my body as I remembered another night of astonishingly intense and intimate lovemaking.

"I'll never get tired of seeing that particular smile," said my messy headed angel, reading my thoughts. "You are an amazing lover, now go and be a great friend."

"I love you," I told her.

"Seriously, I know," she grinned at me. "My body feels like it's shining."

I felt like I was shining too as I ambled through the harbour to the boat. Despite my best friend's track record after incidents like this, I felt no trepidation. I no longer felt as helpless as I had the night before. My night with Naomi had refuelled me and given me the power to deal with whatever I might find this morning. Or maybe not…

The living quarters were empty so I automatically pushed on through to the bedroom, expecting to jump on into the bed and give a sleepy Effy a cuddle as I had done so many mornings in the past. Except that Effy was not alone. There was someone in the bed with her. A very naked someone. My very naked sister lying propped up on one elbow, gazing down at a naked sleeping Effy with nothing short of adoration.

"The fuck?" I exclaimed in a half whisper.

"Ssshh," mouthed Katie, waving her hand at me. "Don't wake her up. I'll come outside."

She slid out of the bed and I couldn't help but look her up and down. Yep, totally butt naked, with remnants of last night's make up and totally crazy bed hair. No, make that sex hair. I only realised how far my mouth was hanging open, when Katie put her finger under my chin and pushed it shut.

"Come on," she whispered, throwing on one of Effy's big jumpers over her dress, and taking me by the hand. She took me outside and sat me down on the back deck. I could scarcely believe the intimate beauty of the scene I had just witnessed, a perfectly peaceful Effy, her hair scattered gorgeously across the pillows, whilst Katie had watched her with an exquisite tenderness.

"You were naked," I said, grasping onto the only thing I could focus on.

"Yeah," said Katie smugly.

"So was Effy," I added.

"That would be because we slept together," said Katie slowly, as if she was explaining the facts of life to an idiot.

"How?" I stuttered.

"Ems, if I have to explain to you what girls do in bed together then we really are in trouble," she laughed.

"I meant how did it happen?" I said, still in shock.

"I knew where to find her," answered Katie. "She'd gone to our place."

"You have a place?"

"Yeah, that bench in that little aboretum thing behind the church. It's where we go when we want to talk to each other."

"You talk to each other?"

"I'm not a total monster," said Katie. "I always did care about her. I just never thought I could give her what she wanted."

"And now?" I said cautiously.

"You should have told me, Ems," she said.

"Told you what?"

"How beautiful it was. What a fucking incredible person she is."

"I've been telling you for three years," I frowned.

"Yeah ok," admitted Katie. "Well I should have fucking listened."

"So you're ok with this?"

She didn't have the time to answer as we were disturbed by the sound of Effy's distressed voice coming from inside the cabin. Katie shot to her feet as Effy emerged from inside dressed only in a T-shirt.

"Katie?" she cried anxiously.

Katie met her halfway down the steps, wrapped her arms around her and kissed her lovingly on the mouth.

"I'm here," she said soothingly. "It's ok, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Emily came round and I didn't want to wake you up."

Effy glanced over my sister's shoulder at me, before Katie took her into a deeper and more passionate kiss. I struggled to find some kind of handle on this as I watched them kissing. Kissing like lovers do. My straighter than a Roman road sister and the woman who's passion she had denied since we were eighteen years old.

"You're not leaving me?" said Effy breathlessly.

"No," said Katie, her voice laden with conviction as she gently tucked a strand of hair behind her lover's ear. "So now that we've got that sorted out, who's for breakfast? Cause I am fucking starving."

Katie marched down into the galley and started rifling through Effy's cupboards and fridge. Effy plonked herself down on one of the seats and stared helplessly at the enthusiastic chef, before turning slowly to face me.

"WHAT?" I mouthed at her silently, behind Katie's back.

"I KNOW!" she mouthed back, with a look of sheer incredulity on her face.

Effy reached for my hand under the table as we watched Katie prepare one of her legendary fry-ups, squeezing my fingers tightly as if that could somehow prove that all of this was really happening.

"Effy, do you want to put some coffee on, Babes," said Katie.

"Sure," said Effy, almost falling over herself to comply.

I watched them working together in the tiny space, and saw Katie trail her hand down Effy's back and gently across her arse. I couldn't believe how blasé she was being about this, as if it was just another ordinary day, smiling at Effy as we ate, and constantly touching her with little gestures of affection. Effy didn't normally eat much breakfast, but this one she wolfed down like a true Fitch, simply because it had been prepared for her by the woman she adored.

"Gotta take a shower, hun," said Katie, slugging down the last of her tea, and giving Effy another kiss. "Cause as much as I like it, I don't think my customers would appreciate me stinking of dirty hot lesbo sex."

"Effy. Effy," I said as I tried in vain to distract her attention from where it was glued in the direction of where Katie was taking a shower. In the end I had to physically move her head round to face me.

"Effy, are you ok?" I said.

"She made love to me, said Effy in a daze. "And she doesn't regret it."

"What the fuck happened?" I asked her, but her head had drifted back to the bedroom door, and she stared at it as wistfully and loyally as a puppy left outside a shop.

"Effy," I repeated.

"Huh?" she muttered, as I grabbed her face and turned it back towards me once more. I was about to make another attempt to get some sense out of her, but Katie re-emerged from the bedroom fully dressed and ready to conquer, and I knew all hope was lost.

"Emily, lift," she commanded, and I could see Effy visibly swoon at the authority in her voice.

"Bye bye, beautiful," said Katie, giving Effy another sumptuous kiss. "Come and see me in the shop later, yeah?"

And with that she swept magnificently from the boat.

"I'll be back," I promised Effy, before trundling obediently after my sister, and following the purposeful thunk thunk of her heels against the wooden deck of the jetty.

Yes, Hurricane Katie had struck, leaving us poor sailors shell shocked and shipwrecked in her wake.