Chapter Sixteen

Goodbye, Martha!

Martha lay still on her bed. Her head hurt from all her crying, and she was half sure she was also losing her mind. She kept her eyes closed and tried to deny what she'd seen.

The painting of Captain Gregg that hung over the mantle downstairs had not just come to life right before her disbelieving eyes and the apparition had not spoken to her. She was sure of that. She had to be sure of that…

"Sorry about this, Martha…"

Martha groaned. The Captain's voice was now inside her head. There seemed to be no escape.

"But I couldn't allow you to leave that way. It would not be right…" he continued softly.

"Ohhh…" Martha lay still, not daring to move.

She began to pray inside her mind, willing the voice to go away and leave her to get on with her task of leaving. There were only a few hours left before she had to catch her flight. But she felt unable to get up and make an effort to leave.

"… but I couldn't let you go away thinking the family didn't care about you," that distractingly masculine voice continued. "Not when you're so dear to them."

He paused and then said, "Listen carefully… when you awaken you will telephone your sister and tell her you won't be leaving this afternoon. You still have so many things you need to do here. And there'll be no more packing and no more blasted tears."

"Call Evelyn…" Martha stirred and moaned a little, trying to push the rest of the words of comfort aside.

She kept her eyes tight shut. "Must call Evelyn… Too much still to do here…"

"Oh, and there will also be no more fainting," the man's voice instructed tersely. "I'd better stay out of sight for the time being…"

He vanished just as Martha's eyelids finally fluttered open reluctantly. She sat up slowly and nervously, looking all around.

"Oh, my…" she breathed. "Did I hear what I thought I heard? And see what I thought I saw? It was just a crazy dream, that's all…"

Beside the bed, Scruffy still sat on the chair, watching her with canine concern. He whined softly.

"Yes, well…" Martha frowned at the dog as she swung her feet to the floor. "I've still got too much to do around here. I'll have to go down and call Evelyn. Tell her I can't catch the early flight to Florida, after all…"

※※※※※

Later in the afternoon, the children met their mother outside the school. They visited the local cake shop and picked up their boxed purchase. Then they drove home and smuggled it into the house by the back door. Luckily, there was no sign of Martha. The whole house was quiet.

"I guess she must still be packing," Carolyn mused as they entered the kitchen. "But it gives us some time to get ready. Come on, kids, and I'll tell you what we all need to do next. We need to get everything done before she appears…"

Three hours later, Jonathan was stationed beside the telephone table in the foyer. He looked through the open door and down to hallway toward Martha's bedroom where Scruffy was seated on guard outside her door.

"Okay, Scruffy?" the boy asked in a loud whisper.

The dog growled softly and pointed toward the closed door with one front paw.

Jonathan turned toward the staircase. "All clear, Candy," he called softly.

Candy was standing near the foot of the staircase. She gave her brother the thumbs-up signal and then turned toward the door to the kitchen. "All clear, Mum," she called. "She's still in her room."

"Okay, then…" Carolyn walked out of the kitchen carrying the beautifully decorated cake on a plate.

She hurried with it into the living room. The children followed. They saw that the cake had a frosted legend that said, 'We Love You Martha.'

Carolyn placed the cake on the coffee table. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers. There were wrapped presents and across the window behind the couch was a large homemade sign that read, 'Come home soon, Martha.'

"It all looks so neat, Mum," Candy approved.

"This is going to be so much fun; I could wish I was the one going away," Jonathan said excitedly.

They all heard the sound of a car arriving outside, and then doors opening and closing. Candy ran to look out the window. "They're here, Mum!"

The three of them hurried into the foyer as the front door opened. Claymore and Ed Peevey stepped into the house, both carrying gifts.

"Here we are, Mrs Muir," Claymore declared. "Right on time like you asked. We're all ready to party with her, give her our gifts and send her on her way in style!" The four of them crossed into the living room.

Peevey trailed at the back, looking deeply morose. "Claymore!" he declared roundly. "You got no respect for a man's achin' heart! It's a sad night for Gull Cottage and the entire town, Mrs Muir. Martha's leavin' and so are all her cherry pies!"

Claymore sighed as he leaned closer to Carolyn. "I can tell you, Mrs Muir. The man has been groaning and moaning like a calf with colic all the way out here. He's giving me a headache. It's not like Martha won't be back sometimes."

He looked around the room. "Oh, this is all lovely. Just lovely…" He glanced furtively at the portrait above the mantle. "Seems almost a shame to waste it all on just one going away…" he whispered, shaking his head.

He'd finally given in and made that all-important phone call. He was very pleased to find that Marcus Cornell was still interested in the property. For the right price.

All Claymore had to do now was move along one very stubborn ghost. He sighed again at the unfairness of it all. "Why am I the only one stuck with a family member who won't leave when he was supposed to?"

"Come back soon, Martha…" Peevey read the sign in the window embrace. "Oh, that really gets me…" He sighed deeply, pressing a hand over his heart. "Right here in me pump. It hurts a lot…"

"Shall I go and get Martha now, Mum?" Candy asked excitedly.

Carolyn nodded. "Yes, dear. That's a good idea. She must have heard us by now." She glanced at Peevey. "She'll wonder what we're doing out here."

"Okay, I'll go and fetch her." Candy ran off.

She walked beneath the staircase to the back hallway and down to Martha's room. Scruffy was still standing guard outside. He whined softly.

"It's okay, boy. You can go now," Candy instructed.

She knocked tentatively on the closed door and got no answer. She knocked again louder but there was still no reply. Perplexed by the silence, the girl opened the door and looked into the room. It was in darkness, but she could make out Martha lying on the bed, wearing her dressing gown and holding an ice pack to her head.

"Martha?" she asked softly. "What are you doing in bed?"

"I'm… I'm not feeling very well, dear. I have the cruellest of headaches. Best I'm just left alone in the dark." She sighed. "I'm not good company for anyone."

Candy eased into the room. "Do you think you could make it out to the living room? We've got something to show you."

"It'll have to wait until later, dear," Martha replied. "I simply couldn't rise from this bed. Not for anything or anyone."

"Please?" Candy begged. "It's rather important."

Martha shook her head. "I'm really sorry, dear. But I truly cannot make it out of this bed. It's best you go back and tell your mother."

"Okay, Martha…" Candy turned away. "You rest there. I'll tell her…"

The girl ran back down the hall and into the living room. She went straight to her mother. "Mum, I think Martha's sick. She says she's not feeling well and says she won't come out of her room. Not for anything."

Claymore and Peevey exchanged surprised glances. Peevey recovered first, his morose countenance brightening. "Say, if she's sick, that means she may not have to go away, after all! I've still got tickets for the drive-in next Thursday."

Carolyn frowned at him. "If she says she's sick, maybe it's the 'leaving' that has made her so. Excuse me, I'd better go and check on her."

She left the party and walked down the hallway to Martha's room. She knocked and went in. Martha was seated on the side of her bed with her handkerchief pressed to her lips. She looked to be in a state of shock.

"Martha?" Carolyn asked. "What is it, dear? What's wrong?"

"There's nothing you can do for me, Mrs Muir…" Martha replied in a low, tortured whisper. "There's nothing anyone can help me with, I'm afraid. I'm a lost cause. I'm useless to everyone."

"Oh, please don't say that." Carolyn moved closer to the bed and sat down. "I've never seen you quite like this, Martha."

She leaned closer, studying her good friend's pale face. "I've never seen you looking so pale. Why, you almost look like… um, that it, you look like you've seen a ghost or—"

Martha rose to her feet, her eyes wide and staring. She trembled as she clutched at her handkerchief with distracted fingers.

Carolyn frowned as she stood up. Her words made her pause, thinking. Maybe that was the answer. It was so simple and yet so fraught with so many unanswered questions.

"Martha?" she said again slowly. "Have you seen a ghost?"

Martha turned to her and her face paled further. "Oh, Mrs Muir! I know you're probably going to think I'm crazy because I already think I'm crazy! But I really think I have seen a ghost! Right there!"

She extended a trembling hand toward the wardrobe. "But I swear, he looked as real as you and me! It was him from the painting downstairs! And he spoke to me!"

She darted one hand back and forth between them. "Just like we're talking now!" She put that same hand to her head. "Then he was right here, inside my mind, talking to me. Telling me to do things. I swear it!"

"Oh, Martha…" Carolyn sagged with relief. "This moment has been a whole two years coming. I think you're entitled to know the truth before you leave for us to go and live in Florida."

She took her friend's hand. "I don't know how to tell you this, but if you think you saw a ghost, then that's who you saw. You've seen him. The ghost."

Martha stared at her. "I don't understand. I didn't just imagine him. He was here. Right here, in this room? With me? He spoke to me?"

Her voice trembled with shock. "No, it can't be. I mean, he didn't… and… and I didn't…"

"No…" Carolyn shook her head slowly and with sympathy. "Yes, you did, and he did. And there's absolutely nothing to be concerned about or afraid of. It's the outrageous, rambunctious and impossibly charming Captain Daniel Gregg who's been rattling around in this house since the very first day we arrived. We've been living in a happily haunted house for two years."

"What?" Martha regarded her doubtfully with a great deal of scepticism.

"Ever since we moved into Gull Cottage," Carolyn reassured her.

Martha frowned at her. "You're really not saying this to humour me or make me feel better? I can really believe it. There is actually a ghost around here. The man from the picture downstairs. Jonathan's imaginary friend that he's always talking about. The one I baked a cake for, and you all threw that party…"

"The very same," Caryn reassured her with a relieved smile. "And he did say he wanted to say goodbye to you before you left us."

"He did?" Martha's voice rose with alarm. "How could he? I mean, how did he?" She clutched at her aching head. "When did he?"

The Captain materialised in the corner of the room, looking a little uncertain of his welcome. "Good evening, Martha. I'm very sorry I startled you before. It's my great pleasure to be able to meet you officially, in person."

"Captain Gregg…" Martha stared at him, becoming freshly agitated. She turned to Carolyn. "You can see him too, Mrs Muir?"

She clutched the end of the bed. "I mean, I didn't just pass out and imagine him. Like you imagine your Captain Webster."

"Of course, I see him because he is there." Carolyn smiled. "He's quite real, you know."

"Oh, I think I'm going again…" Martha sagged against the bed and clutched her handkerchief to her eyes. "But I don't believe in ghosts!" she cried. "I never have!"

"You do now, Martha," the Captain assured her. "Everyone in this house sees me, including Claymore, to my eternal cost. You are simply the last to know."

Martha stared at him, lost for words. She clutched at her handkerchief.

The Captain bowed formally. "Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I have some very important business I must conduct in private. I have a number of favours to cash in." He vanished as he spoke, leaving the two women to stare after him.

"Well, I guess I always felt there was a ghost around here somewhere, Mrs Muir," Martha confessed. "But I just couldn't bring myself to mention it to anyone. I thought you'd all think I'd lost my mind. But I've heard things…" She shook her head. "Strange things, and voices too."

"Well, do you feel better now that you know the truth?" Carolyn asked. "That there is a ghost in this house, and he is very real."

Martha nodded, looking slightly relieved. "Honestly, yes. But I could use a little snort of something stronger to steady my nerves. Maybe a belt or two of the cooking sherry."

Carolyn hugged her. "Well, if you're now feeling up to it, we would love for you to join us in the living room. We might just have something to calm your nerves and boost your spirits."

"Thanks!" Martha smiled as she began to unbutton her dressing gown.

※※※※※

The gathering in the living room had turned very festive. Directed by Claymore, they sang a goodbye song for Martha. She sat before her decorated cake and tried not to burst into tears all over again.

"How could I ever think that nobody cared?" she sniffled mistily. "I'm such a fool…" She sighed. "You all had me fooled, that's for sure."

"That cake says it for all of us, Martha," Peevey pointed out, leaning close to her over the back of the couch.

"And for me to all of you," the housekeeper agreed.

She turned to Carolyn. "And thank you for the lovely gift. This suitcase is just beautiful, Mrs Muir. I shall put it to very good use. Thank you all again."

"We expect you to put it to good use when you come back visiting us here at Gull Cottage, Martha."

Claymore frowned as he whipped out an envelope from his inside jacket pocket. "Here you are, Martha. A small token of my large esteem for you." He held it out.

"Why, thank you, Claymore…" Martha eyed him uncertainly as she opened the envelope and took out the contents. "Just what I needed. Flight insurance!"

Claymore wagged an admonishing finger. "And you'll notice there's a little something extra in there for you, Martha." He preened a little. "A coupon for a boxed lunch in the tourist section!"

Martha shook her head at him. "That'll come in handy if there's a stopover in Havana."

Candy eagerly pressed forward with another gift. "Open ours, Martha." She held out a rolled sheet of paper.

Jonathan tugged off the ribbon holding it rolled up. "Here, we'll help you."

Martha became tearful again as she stared at a drawing of the house, complete with trees in the front yard and a yellow sky. "Oh, this is so beautiful, children."

"It's us!" the boy declared.

"Gull Cottage," Candy affirmed. "I painted the house."

"And I painted the big tree. It's the one you're always telling me to get down out of."

"The sky's all yellow because we wanted you to feel cheery whenever you look at it and think of us," Candy said.

Martha snuffled into her handkerchief. "You kids are going to have me crying all over again."

Not to be outdone, Peevey leaned forward over her shoulder, offering his gift. "I go a little something here for you, Martha." He held it out.

"Oh, Ed, you shouldn't have…" Martha chuckled. "But I'm sure glad you did!"

She opened the wrapping to find an old-fashioned pillow with the words 'Remember Me' embroidered across it. It was obviously an heirloom. "Oh, Ed…" She sighed.

"My grandmother made it for my grandfather when he went away to the Spanish-American War. I've kept it all these years. Just needed the right woman to give it to…" He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"Ed…" Martha admonished him with a smile. "I hope there's no relationship inferred between me and the battleship, Maine?"

Everyone laughed happily. The atmosphere in the room had lightened dramatically despite the occasion. But the hardest part was still to come. Saying goodbye.

"Seriously, though," Martha continued. "Thanks, Ed. It's a lovely thought."

Peevey sobered as he leaned closer. "Got another thought I'd like to tell you, Martha. As soon as we can get a moment alone together, that is."

Not hearing him, Carolyn spoke up brightly. "Well, I think it's about time we cut the cake, everybody!"

"Yes, please. I'm starved," Jonathan announced.

Martha frowned at the coffee table. "Would you get the knife, please, Ed. It's in the —"

"I know just where, Martha," Peevey reassured her. "Been usin' it to operate on your cherry pies for near two years now." He smiled as he hurried from the room.

The Captain took the opportunity to appear. "Before there's any cake cutting done. I'd like to give you my gift, Martha." He smiled at her encouragingly.

Claymore frowned at the pair of them. 'Since when did the housekeeper know about the ghost and how and when did they become such cosy friends...'

He scowled, seeing all his careful planning for the sale of the house evaporating before his eyes. It put him into a dyspeptic humour. He rubbed absently at his abdomen.

Martha smiled at the ghost tentatively. "I… why… Um, thank you, Captain."

At the same moment, the telephone in the foyer shrilled. The Captain waved one hand in its direction. "If you answer the phone, Martha. You will find out what my gift is."

He vanished and Martha got up slowly from the couch as the telephone continued to ring. "Can a ghost send a singing telegram?" she asked in honest bewilderment as she walked into the foyer.

"When did she start seeing him?" Claymore demanded crossly. "I mean, when did he decided to be so nice? He even smiled at her."

"Well, I'll explain it all to you later," Carolyn replied, waving a repressive hand as she tried to listen to Martha's conversation.

The housekeeper picked up the receiver and put it to her ear. "Hello… Oh, Evelyn! I was going to call you to tell you when my flight is leaving and –"

She stopped and listened intently for a moment. "What? They did? He doesn't? Oh, my goodness! That's marvellous! How fabulous! Talk to you later, then, Evelyn. I must go and tell everyone. Thanks again. Bye!"

She hung up and wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. She was about to walk back to the living room to share her news when Peevey appeared from the kitchen carrying the requested knife.

He stopped her progress with a detaining hand on her arm. "Martha, my dear…" he began, looking awkward. "Been turnin' somethin' over in my mind all day. You and me been goin' together for a long time now. Got a lot in common, don't ya think? Well, comes a time in a man's life, Martha, that—"

"Could you hold that thought for a bit, Ed?" Martha asked.

"Got somethin' real important I wanted to say to you before you leave town, Martha," Peevey pleaded.

Martha raised a denying hand. "Please, just a minute, Ed. I got something I have to say to the family." She turned and hurried away into the living room, leaving Peevey looking after her. He dropped his head as he followed slowly.

Martha stopped in the doorway and spread her arms wide. "Everyone…" she announced loudly, silencing all the conversation in the room. "I've got some great news! Don't ask me how, because I have no idea. But my brother-in-law's no longer being transferred to Alaska! They're sending a young, single man instead. So, Harry's staying in Florida and I'm staying right here!"

There was a moment of stunned silence among the group before they all broke out into cheering. There were heartfelt hugs all around. Even Claymore got his share, even though he was inwardly cursing the change of events.

"I can't seem to catch any kind of break," he muttered crossly, even as he pinned on his best smile and tried to look overjoyed. "The goodbye party is over and the hello again, welcome home party can begin!" The words hurt his throat, but he managed to get them out without choking.

"A wonderful idea!" Carolyn declared, taking the cutting knife from a very despondent-looking Peevey.

"I forgot the napkins," she then said, handing the knife to Claymore. "I'll be right back."

Martha looked around the room. "Thank you, Captain, for my gift. Wherever you are…"

"Captain? What Captain?" Peevey queried crossly. "Who're you talkin' to, Martha?"

Martha shook her head. "Oh, uh, just to myself, Ed. Now, what is the important something you said you wanted to say to me?"

Peevey's face paled. "Um, what something?"

"You know. Before I left town. Which I'm not now, of course."

Peevey waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, now that you're stayin', it can wait!"

Martha shot him a confused look, but she decided not to pursue it. She was too happy that she was now staying right where she belonged.

In the kitchen, Carolyn found the napkins. The Captain appeared beside her, looking well satisfied with the evening's events.

"I always enjoy a good happy ending," he said jovially.

"Thank you, Captain," Carolyn acknowledged as she shut the drawer. "But how did you pull it off? I mean, Martha was all set to leave us tonight. I was going to drive her to the airport after the party."

"I know…" He nodded. "But I could not, in all conscience, stand idly by and allow such a travesty to persist, Madam. Not when I had the power to change things for the better. For all of you. You love Martha and she loves you. It is as obvious as the nose on your face."

"Okay…" Carolyn allowed with a frown. "But what did you do?"

"Oh, something quite simple, Madam." He preened a little. "As it has always been with the naval tradition. To change an order, it must go through the proper channels. That is how it has always been done and must always be done."

Carolyn nodded. "I see. Such as?"

The Captain looked well satisfied. "Well, I did a little investigating and discovered that the Admiral who had issued the transfer order was a relative of Admiral Dewey, who in turn served under Admiral Farragut, whose first mate just happened to be a distant cousin of John Paul Jones." He looked very pleased with himself.

"But…" Carolyn shook her head. "Where do you come in?"

"Blast it all, Madam!" he fumed. "To start it through the proper channels, who do you think spoke to John Paul Jones?"

"Ah, I see…" Carolyn smiled up at him, not at all sure if he was telling her the truth or not.

But she didn't care right then. She was happy, Martha was staying, and that was all that mattered right then.

※※※※※

With the party finally over, Carolyn and Martha carried the gifts as they walked into the housekeeper's room. Claymore and Ed Peevey had departed, and the children were already asleep in their beds.

"Mrs Muir…" Martha declared. "I haven't had such a wonderful, weepy day I years. But I do feel rather funny now, keeping this suitcase you gave me when I'm staying."

"There's no need for that at all," Carolyn replied as they put everything on the bed. "You know we can't do without you."

"Oh, my goodness!" Martha exclaimed. "In all the excitement, I forgot to cancel my plane reservations! I'm supposed to be on the ten o'clock flight tonight. I'll go right back out and do it."

Carolyn shook her head. "I'll go and do it for you, Martha. You take the rest of the night off and relax."

Halfway to the door she stopped. "On second thought, I'm sure your mother was looking forward to seeing you again."

Martha sighed. "That's one thing I was looking forward to myself, Mrs Muir. That and getting to hear more about your delicious Captain Webster. Now that I am staying, you do need to get on and finish it. I'm dying to know how it all ends. You need to have another dream to see how it all turns out."

"I do, indeed." Carolyn smiled and nodded. "Then why not go down there to see your mother for a few days? We can cope here. You've got your reservations and a new suitcase to break in. You can take the car, and I'll pick it up from the airport in the morning. I'll telephone Claymore and tell him he can help by coming out and driving the kids and me back into town tomorrow. We'll eat breakfast out as a treat before our weekend chores."

Martha shook her head. "Oh, that's so sweet of you, Mrs Muir. But there's no time. I've barely got an hour. I couldn't possibly be packed in that time. I'll telephone Evelyn and tell her to expect me tomorrow."

The Captain appeared, looking thoughtful. "Good evening, Martha. I am glad you're not leaving our crew, after all. It would not be the same around here without you."

"Thank you, Captain." Martha nodded. "So am I." She watched him with awe.

"And I wouldn't say you couldn't be packed in time," he continued as he waved his hand, and clothes began to move swiftly from the drawers into the suitcase which had opened on the bed as if by magic. After it was packed full, the lid dropped shut again.

"See how simply it can be with a ghost around the house," Carolyn commented as she locked the case.

Martha marvelled at it all. "It's fantastic! Captain Gregg, you're sure going to be handy to have around come spring cleaning time!"

"Madam…" He stiffened with indignation. "There are some points at which even a ghost will not consent to cross!" He vanished in a huff.

The two women smiled wisely at each other. Martha shook her head, as she pointed from the bureau to her suitcase and back again. "Fantastic! Really fantastic! I could get used to having a ghost around."

Carolyn laughed as she picked up the suitcase. "Shall we go? Or you'll be late for your plane."

"Right you are…" Martha nodded as she followed her from the room. "You know, the one really good thing about going down to see my family…"

"What's that?" Carolyn asked as they walked from the door beneath the stairs and into the foyer, arm in arm.

Martha sighed. "It's being able to come right back to be with my other family. This is where I truly belong. Ghost of Captain Gregg and all, Gull Cottage is my home."

"And long may it be so…" Carolyn kissed her cheek as they left the house together and walked down the front path to the car.

She returned to the house after waving Martha goodbye. She was about to climb the stairs to bed when the telephone rang.

"Blast…" She sighed as she walked to the telephone table and picked up the receiver. "Hello, Carolyn Muir speaking…"

"Oh, good evening, Mrs Muir," Virginia Post replied crisply. "I'm so glad I caught you before you retired for the night. I'm afraid we have a rather urgent matter arising from our P.T.A meeting today."

"You do?" Carolyn asked warily. "Ah, what is it? I thought we had everything settled. The play is going ahead, and the children are so excited."

"I assumed we had everything organised as well." Mrs Post sighed. "Well, as you know, we planned to hold this year's annual general meeting at Maybelle Gilbert's house. But she telephoned me just now to say that all her six children have come down with chicken pox. She sends her most sincere apologies, but she simply cannot be the hostess to a houseful of ladies. The children will barely be well enough to be in the play."

"What a pity…" Carolyn sighed. "But I can't see how —"

"Oh, my dear Mrs Muir, it gets worse," Mrs Post breezed on. "Eloise McBean was telephoned this afternoon with some rather bad news. Her father took a nasty fall, and she's had to rush out of town to look after her elderly mother over in Beacon Cove. It seems she won't be back for some weeks. Again, only in time for the play."

"Oh, I'm so very sorry…" Carolyn tried to sound sympathetic. "Um, what do you need from me?"

"Well, since the McBean house is out once more, you're in," Mrs Post replied. "I know you'll be glad of the chance to prove to our ladies once and for all that the nonsensical idea that some people have about Gull Cottage is just that. Nonsense. Of course, I don't believe in ghosts myself. It's all just humbug and vicious rumour. Claymore Gregg was always a little too hysterical for my taste."

Carolyn glanced up the staircase with a worried frown. "Oh, I wish I had the time. Then I would be delighted to have the P.T.A ladies here. But I'm afraid it won't be possible. I have a great many things going on here, as well."

Mrs Post sighed. "Well, we really are in a bind. Today is Friday. As president of the P.T.A, I've held it here at my home for the last three years running. Surely, it's someone else's turn now. We're simply out of suitable venues. Please, give it some thought. If you can hold it this year, we would all, be most appreciative. Martha does bake the most delicious treats."

"Yes, she does, doesn't she?" Carolyn agreed hurriedly. "I can see your problem. But I'm afraid that Martha —"

"Excellent. I know it's very short notice," Mrs Post continued blithely. "But I always knew we could rely on you if we got into a bind. You're always so sensible and down to earth. It will quite enhance your standing within our school community. Now, you already have the agenda. May we say this Sunday at three? That should give you enough time to get organised. You would be doing us all a very large favour."

"Oh, very well…" Carolyn sighed. "Sunday, at three. That would be lovely. All right, Mrs Post. Thank you. Goodbye…" She hung up the receiver before her chagrin surfaced and she said something she did mean.

She walked into the living room to frown up at the Captain's portrait. "All right, Captain Gregg. There's no point in blowing your cool like you did last time. I'm all out of options. Holding the P.T.A annual general meeting here is very important to me, and I expect your co-operation."

She inhaled deeply. "Now what do you have to say this time?"

The Captain appeared beneath his portrait. He stroked his bearded chin. "This meeting has been foisted on you by a careless female with more hair than wit. You should have flatly denied her request to come aboard."

"Oh, believe me, I tried," Carolyn fumed. "But no one says no to Virginia Post. But holding this meeting does mean a great deal to me. Just like the last one. I've found a place in this community. I know you wouldn't understand."

"Because I've never been a parent?" The Captain's eyebrows rose. "With that P as in P.T.A? No, Madam, as you well know, I have not. But having your children on board these last two years has taught me a thing or two about you trying to run a ship that seems endlessly bound to run aground and founder. I stand by what I said then. The nearest I have come to a family is always… now."

"Mmm, yes, well…" Carolyn nodded. "The P.T.A ladies are coming over on Sunday and that's the end of the matter. Virginia Post is as unavoidable as the sword of doom."

She smiled at him. "Good night, Captain. And thank you. I know you hate it when a bunch of chattering women invade your ship. I'll do my best to keep the meeting short. Especially since I've now got to do all the baking and provide suitable refreshments, and I only have one day to get things tidied up. I'll need to attend to the garden, and I have Martha's reputation to uphold."

The Captain nodded. "Good night, my dear. It seems there are stormy seas ahead of us yet. Please don't worry. We shall weather the turbulence and come about in good heart."

"You know, Captain…" Carolyn sighed. "There are times when I wish you would just scare people away from this house. The ones I don't want to see, that is. Then we might get back to the Mary Anne and get some work done. Captain Webster must be wondering where we've run off to." She shook her head as she continued on her way up the stairs.

The Captain looked after her. "Just say the word, Madam, and I shall cast them all forth and send them running back to town like hares fleeing before the hounds. Confounded harridans…"

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