Page 32 of Changing Tides
Joey shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Coast Guard wanted to get some winch training done and we could use the exercise time with these new volunteers.”
Kasia shifted again. “I’ve been lying on this deck for too long. It won’t be much of a stretch to play dead when they winch me up.”
Joey continued to relay updates on Kasia’s condition and Peter did the same, while Aoife passed them on to the Coast Guard control room.
Joey was relieved to hear the hum of the helicopter rotors a few minutes later. “Here’s your ride.”
“If only I wanted to get to Sligo in a hurry.” Kasia chuckled.
“They’ll drop you back at the end of the exercise, along with Brian who’ll take the yacht back to the mainland.”
“Right in time for me to deal with the latest hotel arrivals.”
“I’ve got a busy day ahead, too. I need to get Dad over to Doc Scott’s for a check-up. He’s developed a cough, and Doc said it was best to check him out sooner than later.”
“Could she not come to him?” Kasia shifted again, before closing her eyes and playing her part before the arrival of the Coast Guard.
“I thought it would be good for him to get out on the water, and I can take him for lunch afterwards, if he feels up to it. I’m worried he’s becoming isolated in his cottage alone.” Joey pushed damp hair out of their eyes and replaced their helmet as the helicopter maneuvered closer. The noise prevented any further conversation, and they focused on the exercise.
The boat rocked under their feet from the turbulence caused by the helicopter rotor and they steadied themself before giving the signal to the winch operator to lower the hi-line. Once theline with its weighted sandbag touched the deck, they held it taut while the winch crew member lowered to them.
As their feet landed on deck and Joey moved to steady them, Joey recognized the crew member as Laura Patterson, an experienced paramedic they’d worked with on many occasions. She turned and Joey saw she had a camera attached to her helmet; the exercise was being recorded. They glanced down to check Kasia was playing her role.
They used hand signals to direct Laura, beneath the roaring of the aircraft above them, knowing they would have had an accurate briefing from Aoife before arrival. Laura checked quickly on Kasia, then headed below decks to assess the other casualty.
The winch operator signaled to Joey they would be lowering a stretcher. Joey kept hold of the line as the stretcher lowered and secured it at the bottom. They knew the drill well, but they’d wait for Laura to take over when she returned to deck. Laura and Peter appeared at the hatch supporting Brian, the sandy-haired Coast Guard crew member who’d brought Kasia out on the yacht.
Peter helped lift a limp Kasia into the stretcher and Laura secured her efficiently before attaching the stretcher and her own harness to the line. Joey and Peter helped stabilize the stretcher until it was lifted into the air, and they watched as Laura and Kasia were pulled into the helicopter. It seemed like an age before Laura returned to take Brian up in a harness.
Joey usually became completely engrossed in exercises such as this, but today they couldn't shake the feeling there was something more important they should be doing. Whether that was spending time with their dad, helping out Marianne with childcare, or putting some effort into building up their customer base, they weren’t sure, but the unsettled feeling stayed with them for the remainder of the exercise and through thedebriefing session where Joey and Seán took Peter aside and explained the necessity of following orders. He had apologized and promised it wouldn’t happen again, but Joey suspected his probation period might be longer than it should be. By the time they were finally free to leave, they gently swerved the suggestion the crew go for coffee at the Waterside when Kasia returned.
They pulled up outside their dad’s cottage with a half hour to spare before his GP appointment.
“Dad, are you ready to go? Remember I said I’d take you to see Doc today?” They ducked inside the cottage to find their dad in his customary seat, the TV blaring with some daytime show. He didn’t look up.
“Dad. I asked you to be ready.” They tried not to show their impatience. Doc would make sure to fit their dad in whatever time they arrived, but Joey had work to do. They weren’t sure if their dad’s inability to dress himself these days was forgetfulness, or just a lack of desire to go anywhere.
They urged him up out of his chair and shooed him toward the bedroom. “Just put on a clean shirt. We need to leave shortly.”
They tidied around the cottage while their dad was getting ready. When he reappeared wearing a slightly less food-stained shirt, they helped him into his coat and led him down to the stone dock where Queen Maedbh was waiting.
“It’s best for Doc to have a look at you now, Dad, before that cough gets any worse.”
“Doesn’t she do house visits anymore?” He pulled his coat more tightly around his skinny body. Seeing him outdoors brought it home once more how frail he had become.
“She does, but I thought you might like a trip in Queen Maedbh. It’s a lovely afternoon, and we could stop at the Harbor Bar on the way back for fish and chips.”
Their dad turned. “I like fish and chips.”
“Good, that’s settled then. Let’s get you on board.” They helped him down onto Queen Maedbh’s deck and into the wheelhouse. “You can drive, if you like?”
Their dad shook his head and sat on the bench. The conversation across the channel remained one-sided as Joey pointed out the places their dad had once been so familiar with. They couldn’t remember the last time he’d left the island, and an ache spread through their chest with the worry they weren’t doing enough to keep him active.
As they helped him off the boat, they asked, “Dad, is there anything you want to do this week? I can take you to see your friends or go out on the boat any day after work. The evenings are getting longer now.”
Their dad looked around Portrinn harbor with a scowl. “This place doesn’t change.”
Joey wasn’t sure what sort of changes he was expecting. The stone harbor had remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Only the vessels that used it reflected the passing of the years. “Let’s get you to the surgery, and then we’ll come back down for some lunch. Maybe you’ll see a few familiar faces.”
